Product Review

2006 issued digitally remastered anthology curated by Ian Stanley & Pete Wiggs of Saint Etienne. Montez recorded four albums for A&M records between 1966 and '69. Many of the songs on this compilation were unknown to Montez, but being the consummate artist, Montez perfected his performances of them in just a few takes. Songs which would seem alien to his vocal style became his trademark. These were standards of his day and much earlier, played in a rhythmic lounge-jazz bossa style by seasoned west coast studio musicians. Handclaps were de rigeur and as laid back as Chris's vocals. The blend of styles was new, the standard A&M Records recording quality excellent, resulting in tracks that still sound fresh for the new century.