Compact Jazz

While many jazz purists have lambasted Montgomery and Verve for the crossover success the guitarist achieved during the latter half of the '60s, the sides themselves are actually quite good. Sure, Montgomery did concede the occasional pop cover ("California Dreaming"), but he always played his best, regardless. And then there are the many fine arrangements by Oliver Nelson, Claus Ogerman ("Bumpin' on Sunset"), Johnny Pate ("Movin' Wes, Pts. 1 & 2"), and Don Sebesky. Yes, several of them included strings, but they generally were tastefully arranged. And those crossover sounds people complain about? Well, they actually are some finely wrought soul-jazz grooves with a smattering of uptown touches. After you've done your homework with all those classic early-'60s Riverside dates by Montgomery, put your dancing shoes on and check out this high-end party soundtrack or the even better Montgomery edition of the Talkin' Verve series.