Personnel:
Jesse Belvin or Ethel Azama (vcl), with Marty Paich Orchestra feat. Conte Candoli, Jack Sheldon (tp), Dick Nash, Frank Rosolino (tb), Art Pepper (as), Bill Perkins (ts), Russ Freeman, Jimmy Rowles (p), Larry Bunker (vib), Joe Mondragon (b), Mel Lewis (d)
Reference: FSRCD 628
Bar code: 8427328606288
When Ethel Azama made Cool Heat for Liberty and Jesse Belvin recorded Mr. Easy for RCA Victor within a few weeks of each other in the fall of 1959 in Hollywood, both singers were among the most promising discoveries of their respective record labels. What they also had in common, among other things, was that these fine albums turned out to be career peaks for each singer.
Azama subsequently moved to Australia, while the tragic Belvin was killed in an auto accident before his debut album was released. Adding class to each project was another coincidence; the arranger and conductor on both albums was the great Marty Paich, who throughout decided to rely on the distinctive talents of alto saxophonist Art Pepper to take care of the soloing.
The serendipitous combination of talents turned each album into a wonderfully felicitous example of timeless musical creativity.
