{"product_id":"the-incredible-jazz-guitar-of-wes-montgomery-1","title":"The Incredible Jazz Guitar Of Wes Montgomery","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe incredible \u003cstrong\u003eWes Montgomery\u003c\/strong\u003e of 1960 was more discernible and distinctive than the guitarist who would emerge a few years later as a pop stylist and precursor to \u003cstrong\u003eGeorge Benson\u003c\/strong\u003e in the '70s. On this landmark recording, Montgomery veered away from his home Indianapolis-based organ combo with \u003cstrong\u003eMelvin Rhyne\u003c\/strong\u003e, the California-based \u003cstrong\u003eMontgomery Brothers\u003c\/strong\u003e band, and other studio sidemen he had been placed with briefly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOff to New York City and a date with \u003cstrong\u003eTommy Flanagan's\u003c\/strong\u003e trio, Montgomery seems in his post- to hard bop element, swinging fluently with purpose, drive, and vigor not heard in an electric guitarist since bop progenitor \u003cstrong\u003eCharlie Christian\u003c\/strong\u003e. Setting him apart from the rest, this recording established Montgomery as the most formidable modern guitarist of the era, and eventually its most influential.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThere's some classic material here, including the cat-quick but perhaps a trifle anxious version of the \u003cem\u003eSonny Rollins\u003c\/em\u003e bop evergreen \"\u003cem\u003eAiregin\u003c\/em\u003e,\" the famous repeated modal progressive and hard bop jam \"\u003cem\u003eFour on Six\u003c\/em\u003e,\" and Montgomery's immortal soul waltz \"\u003cem\u003eWest Coast Blues\u003c\/em\u003e,\" effortlessly rendered with its memorable melody and flowing, elegant chiffon-like lines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlanagan\u003c\/strong\u003e, at a time shortly after leaving his native Detroit, is the perfect pianist for this session. He plays forcefully but never overtly so on the bop tracks, offering up his trademark delicacy on the laid-back \"\u003cem\u003ePolka Dots and Moonbeams\u003c\/em\u003e\" and easy-as-pie \"\u003cem\u003eGone with the Wind\u003c\/em\u003e.\" With the dynamic Philadelphia rhythm section of brothers \u003cstrong\u003ePercy Heath\u003c\/strong\u003e on bass and drummer \u003cstrong\u003eAlbert Heath\u003c\/strong\u003e, they play a healthy Latin beat on the choppy and dramatic melody of Montgomery's original \"\u003cem\u003eMr. Walker\u003c\/em\u003e.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMontgomery is clearly talented beyond convention, consistently brilliant, and indeed incredible in the company of his sidemen, and this recording — an essential addition to every jazz guitarist fan's collection — put him on the map.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Waxtime","offers":[{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":50481779048779,"sku":"390377","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"LP - Crystal Clear","offer_id":57158011978059,"sku":"R3540-9171","price":21.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/R-11607063-1519322805-8241_53900031_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727544681","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/de\/products\/the-incredible-jazz-guitar-of-wes-montgomery-1","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}