The jazz trio plus guitar masterpiece from Wynton Kelly and Wes Montgomery with Paul Chambers and Jimmy Cobb from the Miles Davis rhythm section acclaimed by many as the best Montgomery performace on record. Definitive audiophile reissue remastered by George Marino from the Original Master Tapes at Sterling Sound and pressed to 45rpm high quality 200gr vinyl at QRP. Presented in deluxe gatefold cover with laminated heavy weight card stock.

Featured in Vinyl Gourmet Audiophile TOP 100

Michael Fremer (Analog Planet) Rated 9/10 Music and 10/10 Sound

• Limited Edition
• Mastered by George Marino at Sterling Sound
• Cut from the Absolute Original Analog Master Tapes
• 200 Gram 45rpm Double LP
• Pressed at Quality Record Pressings QRP USA
• Deluxe Gatefold Cover

A Tremendously Important Historic Jazz Record That Pairs Guitar Virtuoso Wes Montgomery With Miles Davis' Rhythm Section - Paul Chambers and Jimmy Cobb. This legendary session was recorded at a New York nightclub. It captures Montgomery at the height of his improvisational powers. Many consider it the best performance on record by one of the most inventive guitarists in jazz history. Highlights include the Miles Davis opener, "No Blues" and the following track, Tadd Dameron's "If You Could See Me Now." And the album's versions of "Unit 7" and "Four On Six" have helped to establish these songs as jazz standards.

An American jazz critic once said that Wes Montgomery was the "best thing that could happen to a guitar." Grand words, one might say quickly racking one's brains to come up with other great names. But after only a few minutes of listening to this live recording made in 1965 at the Half Note in New York, you will forget your brain-storming and concentrate on the unfused performance of this brilliant guitarist and the superb Wynton Kelly Trio. The music which gets down to the nitty-gritty, is always cool and straight with no fuss or frills getting in the way; the message comes over clearly--and it makes the blood surge through one's veins!

This is timeless music that has inspired innumerable jazz guitarists and aficionados. In fact, jazz guitar great Pat Metheny has said, "I learned to play listening to Wes Montgomery's Smokin' At The Half Note." Metheny additionally said that the solo on "If You Could See Me Now" is his favorite of all time.

"Widely considered one of Wes Montgomery's best sessions, and by some, one of the best jazz guitar recordings of all time, Smokin' was an easy choice to include in Analogue Productions Verve series. ... this new mastering from the late George Marino at Sterling Sound cleans up the sound as never before. ... this is an essential performance, in the best-sounding version available." - Dennis D. Davis, Hi-Fi +

"The live side captures Montgomery's rich sound better than any other recording I've ever heard... The opener, a hot take on Miles Davis's 'No Blues' should get your adrenaline pumping and it should stay pumped throughout... A worthwhile addition to any vinyl collection — certainly one every Montgomery fan will want, both because of his playing and because of the accuracy with which Van Gelder captures his signature sound. It is absolutely sensational!... The double 45rpm version from Analogue Productions cut by the late George Marino from the master tapes absolutely smokes the Speakers Corner version, good though it is. This is among the most exciting live recordings (side 1) and if your system is up to it, easily creates the illusion that Wes Montgomery has set up his guitar amp on the left side of your room and is playing just for you. It's that good! Beyond very highly recommended. It's a mandatory purchase!" - Michael Fremer, Analog Planet

Track Listing:

1. No Blues
2. If You Could See Me Now
3. Unit 7
4. Four On Six
5. What's New

Click here to listen to samples on YouTube.com ♫