Wes Montgomery - California Dreaming (Verve Acoustic Sounds Series)

Joining the Verve Acoustic Sounds Series on 180-gram vinyl, Wes Montgomery's California Dreaming finds the great jazz guitarist meeting the pop world with a grin.

Recorded in 1966 at Rudy Van Gelder's studio in Englewood Cliffs, the album was one of producer Creed Taylor's crossover projects for Verve, pairing Montgomery's octave-heavy, thumb-picked guitar with lush arrangements by Don Sebesky. The supporting cast is stacked, including Herbie Hancock on piano, Richard Davis on bass, Grady Tate on drums and Ray Barretto on percussion, with brass and flutes adding a sunny, orchestral glow.

The title track California Dreaming turns the Mamas and the Papas hit into a breezy, swaying instrumental, while Sunny gives Bobby Hebb's soul classic a gentle, finger-snapping glide. Sun Down, one of Montgomery's own compositions, stretches out into a relaxed blues where his guitar does the talking. Mr. Walker, another original, keeps the mood light and nimble.

Montgomery's tone is the main attraction: round, warm and unmistakable, every note placed with effortless confidence. Sebesky's charts frame him beautifully without crowding the guitar.

Purists once grumbled about records like this, but time has been kind to its charm. It is easy listening in the very best sense, the soundtrack to a lazy afternoon with the windows open.