Groove Brothers

Groove Brothers brings together two of the lesser-known albums from the trio of Wes, Buddy, and Monk Montgomery: 1960’s The Montgomery Brothers and 1961’s The Montgomery Brothers In Canada, both recorded for Fantasy. By this time Wes had already signed with Riverside and was well on his way to cementing his reputation as the finest jazz guitarist of his generation. His tenure with Riverside brought him into collaboration with the top players of the day, but there is a singular quality to the music here that can only be called familial. The brothers have played with each other so long that their musical bond is second nature, and their mutual trust is immediately evident in these recordings. It can’t simply be called “loose” — better to say “open,” as Wes in particular seems free and easy to take chances in a way that is unique, even within his diverse catalog of ventures. There is an exceptional springiness to these recordings, especially on “Jeannine,” “Snowfall,” and “Barbados,” songs for which pianist brother Buddy — the youngest of the group — switches to vibraphone, giving the songs stacked harmonies that reflect the trio’s deep-seated bond.