Wes Montgomery & Wynton Kelly Trio – Smokin’ At The Half Note (1965/2014) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Wes Montgomery & Wynton Kelly Trio – Smokin’ At The Half Note (1965/2014)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 41:11 minutes | 1,42 GB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Verve Reissues

This 1965 recording is the second collaboration between the Wynton Kelly Trio and famed guitarist Wes Montgomery. The album reunites Montgomery with the essential Miles Davis rhythm section from the cool jazz era (1959-1963), namely Wynton Kelly, Paul Chambers, and Jimmy Cobb.

Smokin’ at the Half Note is essential listening for anyone who wants to hear why Montgomery’s dynamic live shows were considered the pinnacle of his brilliant and incredibly influential guitar playing. Pat Metheny calls this “the absolute greatest jazz guitar album ever made,” and with performances of this caliber (“Unit 7” boasts one of the greatest guitar solos ever recorded) his statement is easily validated. Montgomery never played with more drive and confidence, and he’s supported every step of the way by a genuinely smokin’ Wynton Kelly Trio. In 1998, Verve reissued the complete show on disc two of Impressions: The Verve Jazz Sides, although the scrambled track order and some non-essential cuts don’t diminish the appeal of the original album.

Tracklist:
1. Wes Montgomery & Wynton Kelly Trio – No Blues (12:56)
2. Wes Montgomery & Wynton Kelly Trio – If You Could See Me Now (08:24)
3. Wes Montgomery & Wynton Kelly Trio – Unit 7 (06:46)
4. Wes Montgomery & Wynton Kelly Trio – Four On Six (06:46)
5. Wes Montgomery & Wynton Kelly Trio – What’s New? (06:16)

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