Gerry Mulligan: Night Lights (LP)

One of the highlights of modern mainstream jazz to accompany the early hours of the morning and a dry martini: this is what the late nights were meant for. Several tracks lay down a soothing samba-accented beat with a contemporary Brazilian flair. The later jazz flirtation with edgier bossa nova didn't wear as well over time, but the mulligan temperature is just right here and passed the midnight test without demure. Chopin's Prelude in E minor was a surprise - I didn't know Chopin played samba, the Warsaw Concerto meets Come Dancing, but it works well. Verve Acoustic Sound Series: completely analog mastered by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound from the original tapes, QPR pressing (180 g), sturdy tip-on gatefold (Stoughton Printing), padded inner sleeve, gatefold sleeve.