Listen to Chet Baker & Piero Umiliani's "Smog" soundtrack from 1962

Since it's Chet Baker's birthday today, here's his brilliant soundtrack collaboration with Piero Umiliani for Franco Rossi's "Smog."

Happy Birthday Chet Baker!

Chet Baker's early 60s Italian film sessions with Piero Umiliani – largely overlooked at the time – stand as some of his finest work.

Here's the scoop on Chet Baker's Italian Movies...

For the first time ever in their entirety, the beautifully packaged Italian Movies 3-CD set released by Jason Lee Lazell's UK-based Moochin' About label, brings together the complete recordings by legendary Italian composer Piero Umiliani featuring iconic West Coast trumpeter Chet Baker for the early 60s films Audace Colpo Dei Soliti Ignoti (Fiasco In Milan), I Soliti Ignoti (Big Deal On Madonna St), Urlatorialla Sbarra, Intrigo A Los Angeles, and Smog (check out the brilliant main theme from Franco Rossi's 1962 film Smog below).  

This, the first release on the critically acclaimed Jazz On Film series dedicated to jazz icons, includes one of the rarest Umiliani soundtracks, 'Intrigo A Los Angeles'... a marvellous jazz score with the maestro himself at the piano. In 1964, C.A.M released an album with 15 mono cues (38 minutes in length) that is now one of the rarest albums in their catalogue, coveted by fans of the Firenze composer and jazz lovers alike. 

For this CD package, the original mono master session tapes were used on which some unreleased material was discovered, bringing the total running time up to 43:12 minutes – everything that was recorded for the movie. Audio restoration has improved the sound immensely making for a great listening experience. 

Umiliani was the first to bring jazz to the big screen in Italy and experimented by using legendary trumpeter Chet Baker... a collaboration and friendship that gave life to a fine collection of recordings and brought out the very best of Baker during his troubled life. Get a copy of Italian Movies via Bandcamp right here. 

Listen to the cues 'Tensione' (From "Audace Colpo Dei Soliti Ignoti"), 'Motorizzazione' (From "I Soliti Ignoti"), 'Arrivederci' (From "Urlatori Alla Sbarra") followed by the main theme from "Smog."

Happy Birthday Helen Merrill

Celebrating the birthday of jazz vocalist Helen Merrill with a couple of early 60s gems cut with Chet Baker and Piero Umiliani.

Midweek Mixdown: Piero Umiliani

Here's a sweet selection of the composer's soundtrack and sound library recordings assembled by Mike Wallace. 

Inspired by a recent whirlwind Italo-adventure to meet legendary Italian composer Piero Umiliani's family and friends, record collector Mike Wallace immediately got to work compiling Grazie! for Nature Sounds. A unique introduction to the work of the maestro, the resulting 18-track anthology is a fitting tribute and sonic treat for the senses: a gatefold double-LP compilation album and bonus mix CD consisting of a prime selection of Umiliani’s soundtrack and library work, meticulously sourced off iconic rarities. Check out the mix below.

Grazie!  Piero Umiliani
1. Le Ore Che Contano

2. Coast To Coast
3. Viaggio Nel Tempo
4. Blue Lagoon
5. Easy Rhythm
6. Goodmorning Sun
7. Railroad
8. Chaser
9. Il Micione E La Gattina
10. Lady Magnolia
11. Tanto Tempo Fa
12. Nostalgia
13. Tropical River
14. Protesta Giovanile
15. Open Space
16. L’uomo E La Citta
17. Nostalgia
18. Tanto Lontano