One for Wes

The esteemed guitarist Mimi Fox pays tribute to the late, great Wes Montgomery on the 100th anniversary of his birth, where Brian Ho brings his Hammond B3 Organ and Lorca Hart sits behind the drum kit for the 8 diverse tracks.

"Mr. White's Blues" opens the listen with the frisky drums, spirited guitar and playful keys in the indeed blues-friendly sounds, and "Moanin'" follows with intimate guitar playing in a soulful, reflective climate.

"Judy's Song" lands in the middle, and is full of dreamy and absorbing song craft in the calm delivery, while "Pack Of Lies" picks up the pace with swift organ prowess and agile drumming that makes this the album's best.

Nearing the end, the meticulous and shimmering "For Django, Avec Amor" has the trio interacting with a sublime cautiousness, and "In My Life/Old Friends" exits with a very technical, emotive display that retains the spirit of those who penned it, i.e. John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Paul Simon.

An excellent tribute to an artist who inspired legions of others, Fox and company are extremely skilled in blues, funk, bebop and balladry across this fascinating body of work.