This is an appropriately titled album as Wes Montgomery was arguably the boss of the jazz guitar. Boss Guitar was recorded at a time when Montgomery preferred smaller groups, usually with an organist. Here it is Mel Rhyne with the drummer Jimmy Cobb completing the trio. Montgomery creates with them a great frothy groove, which conjures up scooters and cappuccinos (which let's face it isn't bad for someone from Indianapolis). This is a good place to start with Montgomery for those who have not had a chance to enjoy his improvisation because the early 60s was the period when he delighted in vamping the tune. For those who have, it is an essential album to complete the knowledge. It contains one of his classics, "Fried Pies" (indeed it contains two versions of it), alongside other superb hip tunes as "Besame Mucho" and "The Trick Bag". On Boss Guitar you can hear the inspiration for George Benson and a whole legion of latter day acid jazzers. --Phil Brett

This is an appropriately titled album as Wes Montgomery was arguably the boss of the jazz guitar. Boss Guitar was recorded at a time when Montgomery preferred smaller groups, usually with an organist. Here it is Mel Rhyne with the drummer Jimmy Cobb completing the trio. Montgomery creates with them a great frothy groove, which conjures up scooters and cappuccinos (which let's face it isn't bad for someone from Indianapolis). This is a good place to start with Montgomery for those who have not had a chance to enjoy his improvisation because the early 60s was the period when he delighted in vamping the tune. For those who have, it is an essential album to complete the knowledge. It contains one of his classics, "Fried Pies" (indeed it contains two versions of it), alongside other superb hip tunes as "Besame Mucho" and "The Trick Bag". On Boss Guitar you can hear the inspiration for George Benson and a whole legion of latter day acid jazzers. --Phil Brett