Product Description:
Personnel include: Wes Montgomery (guitar); Kenny Burrell (guitar); Johnny Griffin (tenor saxophone); George Shearing, Tommy Flanagan, Victor Feldman, Wynton Kelly (piano); Milt Jackson, Buddy Montgomery (vibraphone); Milt Hinton, Monk Montgomery, Percy Heath, Ron Carter (bass instrument); Albert "Tootie" Heath, Philly Joe Jones (drums); Louis Hayes (bass drum).
Recording information: 1959 - 1963.
Though guitarist Wes Montgomery achieved commercial success with a light, crossover sound on his records in the late 1960s, his reputation as a master of blues-inflected jazz playing was confirmed by his output on Riverside (1959 to 1963). This very fine 14-song sampler provides an overview of that period. Beginning with his early trio dates ("Yesterdays," from '59, features Montgomery with an organist and drummer) and going straight through to his appearance with a large string ensemble (1963's "Tune Up"), THE BEST OF does not disappoint in its variety and consistently high quality.
Post-bop with a refined, deeply soulful edge is on order here, and Montgomery manages to be funky and subtle at once. The appearance of stellar personnel doesn't hurt matters, either--tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin, vibraphonist Milt Jackson, pianists Wynton Kelly and George Shearing, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Jimmy Cobb all make cameos. In addition to intensely lyrical ballads ("Polka Dots and Moonbeans"), the Riverside material is notable for its high groove quotient, melding laid-back beats and shuffling rhythms to bop pyrotechnics, casting the whole in a soul-jazz vibe. This is a strong, compact introduction to some of the best guitar-based jazz of the era.
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