Decca Records has announced Chet Baker Re:Imagined, a collection of songs recorded by a diverse array of international talent to celebrate the legacy of one of the most unique, charismatic, and influential figures in jazz history. Released to mark the 70th anniversary of the seminal album Chet Baker Sings, this 15-track compilation presents modern reworkings of the trumpeter and singer’s repertoire, underscoring the enduring influence of one of the 20th century’s most creative artists.
The album’s lead single—dodie’s “Old Devil Moon”—is out now and available HERE. Chet Baker Re:Imagined will be released via Decca Records (UK) and Blue Note Records (US) on April 11, 2025, and is available for pre-order HERE.
Chet Baker Re:Imagined features an array of international artists spanning R&B, pop, soul, and jazz. British artists dodie, Matt Maltese, Matilda Mann, Joel Culpepper, Ife Ogunjobi, Hohnen Ford, Eloise, Poppy Daniels, and Puma Blue join Benny Sings from the Netherlands, Canada’s Stacey Ryan, American artists Delaney Bailey and mxmtoon, South Korean Sara Kang, and Australian-Filipino grentperez. These musicians, singers, songwriters, and beat-makers sit within a fast-emerging scene and cast Baker’s sublime melodies against a contemporary soundscape marked by a spectrum of acoustic and electronic textures, artful improvisation, and richly layered production.
Baker, an icon of the 1950s 'cool jazz' movement, stood out for the lustrous finesse of his horn playing and his distinctively soft, delicate voice, which became a revelation on Chet Baker Sings. The ballad “My Funny Valentine,” one of Baker’s signature songs, is reinterpreted by British singer-songwriter Matt Maltese, whose version captures its quiet, intense resonance against a shimmering backdrop of guitar and hazy keyboards. The deep sensitivity of Baker’s music threads through Re:Imagined, exemplified by dodie’s rendition of “Old Devil Moon,” showcasing her gilded, understated voice set against a sharp, Latin rhythm complemented by a willowy clarinet break. mxmtoon’s “I Fall In Love Too Easily” is an unabashedly romantic confession, with her heartfelt delivery supported by languorous guitar, tingling piano, and a potent trumpet.
dodie:
"How lucky am I to live in the world of Chet’s soft, playful croons for this gorgeous collection? It was so fun to marry our styles and lean into a jazzier side. Chet Baker was my number one artist in 2023 (apparently I’m a top 5% fan!), so I was thrilled to be asked to pick a favorite—though that part was difficult—and spend time with his gorgeous version of 'Old Devil Moon,' dreaming up how we could collaborate across time."
Chet Baker Re:Imagined follows the international success of the Blue Note Re:Imagined series, which saw groundbreaking tracks from the visionary label reinterpreted for the 21st century by musicians emerging from the vibrant London jazz scene. One of the leading acts from that scene, Mercury Prize winners Ezra Collective, is represented here by the group’s trumpeter Ife Ogunjobi, whose version of “Speak Low,” first recorded by Baker in 1953, is infused with percussive Afrobeat rhythms and ethereal keyboard arrangements.
Matilda Mann’s lushly orchestral rendition of “There Will Never Be Another You” recalls Baker’s classic With Strings album, with her angelic voice floating amidst a sea of violins, violas, and cellos. In contrast, other artists strip things down for daringly exposed performances. Puma Blue’s haunting “It’s Always You” pairs his husky tone with brooding, spiky electric guitar, while Delaney Bailey’s folk-tinged “While My Lady Sleeps” is an intimate combination of lyrics, acoustic guitar, and birdsong. grentperez’s “But Not For Me” transforms into a bossa nova with a blissful backbeat.
Poppy Daniels reinterprets “I’ve Never Been In Love Before,” originally written by Frank Loesser for the 1950s musical Guys and Dolls, while Sara Kang delivers a gospel-tinged take on “Old Fashioned” that highlights the understated beauty of her voice. Hohnen Ford channels Baker’s softly spun delivery on “I Get Along Without You Very Well,” and Joel Culpepper’s “Silver Lining” takes the opposite approach, showcasing his full-throttle soulful energy.
The songs on Chet Baker Re:Imagined are steeped in the jazz star’s spirit while boldly taking his legacy to new places. By maintaining reverence for Baker’s artistry and exploring fresh creative possibilities, these modern-day homages highlight the ongoing relevance of the man who immortalized the words: “You make me smile with my heart.” This collection unveils a host of artists who do just that in their own special way.
