Bumpin'＜限定盤＞

ウェス・モンゴメリー初のビルボードチャート入りアルバムの1965年作。
ドン・セベスキーが編曲・指揮を担当したオーケストラのサポートのもと、彼の卓越したギター演奏を披露している。ロジャー・ケラウェイ(ピアノ)、ボブ・クランショウ(ベース)、グレイディ・テイト(ドラムス)からなるリズムセクションがオーケストラに火花を散らし、推進力を与える。ディジー・ガレスピー、ジョニー・マンデル、ジョン・フランシス・バーク、そしてモンゴメリー自身による選りすぐりの楽曲を収録した『バンピン』は、再生するたびに聴き手を壮大な旅へと誘う。
ゲイトフォールド仕様
〈パーソネル〉 Wes Montgomery(g) Bob Cranshaw(b) Grady Tate(ds) Roger Kellaway(p) Don Sebesky(arr, cond)

Taking the listener on a smoother, rather than bumpier, ride down the moonlight highway of jazz is Wes Montgomery, a chief architect of the world's guitar virtuoso scene. Not only is his brilliant command of the six-string present here, so is the vivid color tones of notes and blue notes played between. Backed up by a hauntingly beautiful and mesmerizing orchestra conducted and arranged by Don Sebesky, the music almost lifts the listener off his feet into a dreamy, water-like landscape. The atmosphere is serene and enchanting, such as a romantic evening for two under starlight, and certainly a romantic eve merits the accompaniment of this record. The sounds are soft, smooth, and silky, and Montgomery addresses full leadership of his graceful melodic style, fronting close to 20 members of a orchestra perhaps best described resonant and sweeping. So too are the sweeping note flows of Montgomery's guitar, and his surprising fluidness towards the art of comping, a necessary trait of the jazz guitar virtuoso. Even the unforgettable Jim Hall can be tickled and intrigued through a listen of these influential records, as for all amateur and professional guitar musicians. "A Quiet Thing" is perhaps the most somber, peaceful, and smooth piece on the record, demonstrating Montgomery's love of quiet, and how much the idea of not playing at all brings music to the listeners. The charming sounds of orchestral violas, violins, cellos, and harp are sent ablaze to create a pleasant atmosphere, either for a quick morning get up, get ready for work, or evening dining setting. "Here's That Rainy Day" is an up-tempo bossa nova tune that resonates with Montgomery's enticing chordal changes and blissful phrasing, not to mention the blend of harp and strings lays the groundwork for a perfect rainy day inside, with drops pattering at the windows and fires aglow. The recording engineer did a wonderful job with this album. The sound quality is clear and lush, and, overall, this collection of mid-'60s cool jazz is a delight to listen too, once and again. ~ Shawn M. Haney