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Ok, first, I have to say, this man is my Uncle (I know him as "Uncle Zeke" for Ezekiel). So, anything I say is biased. But here goes anyway... Uncle Zeke has a very original voice and songs like "Call Me", "The More I See You", and "I Ran" are simply fantastic. No, he's nothing like Ritchie Valens and I don't think he ever wanted to be. He was a solo artist from the 60's who happened to be hispanic - so everyone drew up comparisons. But listen to his music. A hint of the Beach Boys in the early years and something sounding completely original in the latter part of his career. Nothing like Valens. And he was very original. You should buy it.

This compilation of the two phases of Chris Montez' career was a welcome find, since no domestic CD existed and his LPs have been out of print for years. The Monogram cuts (1962-1964) showcase his phase as a protege of Richie Valens or aspiring Latin rocker. I've always enjoyed the organ part on "Let's Dance," which compensates for a relatively weak vocal. The A&M phase (1965-1968) is well represented, although there was ample space on the disc for more songs. The party atmosphere of these recordings, plus the instrumental work of Julius Wechter and Pete Jolly, compliment Montez' vocal style well, resulting in a satisfying and upbeat effect. What makes this package really special is the thorough and well organized biographical and recording history notes. This information is valuable because the LPs lacked complete credits. What we really need now are reissues of Chris' A&M albums THE MORE I SEE YOU-CALL ME, TIME AFTER TIME, FOOLIN' AROUND, WATCH WHAT HAPPENS and CARTAS DE AMOR. All are late 60s except the latter, sung in Spanish and issued in 1983 on A&M Discos (Mexico).

"Call me" brings back a personal favorite slice of time. Chris Montez and others from this era such as Herb Alpert, Petula Clark, Dusty Springfield, Sergio Mendes and Tom Jones will remain with me forever. If you have fond memories of the mid-sixties and the smooth easy-listening music that was popular, pick up this CD.

I was concerned that "The More I See You" and "Call Me" were not the original popular versions, however, they ARE I remember them from 1966. Sometimes you can be fooled, but not here.

This compilation of the two phases of Chris Montez' career was a welcome find, since no domestic CD existed and his LPs have been out of print for years. The Monogram cuts (1962-1964) showcase his phase as a protege of Richie Valens or aspiring Latin rocker. I've always enjoyed the organ part on "Let's Dance," which compensates for a relatively weak vocal. The A&M phase (1965-1968) is well represented, although there was ample space on the disc for more songs. The party atmosphere of these recordings, plus the instrumental work of Julius Wechter and Pete Jolly, compliment Montez' vocal style well, resulting in a satisfying and upbeat effect. What makes this package really special is the thorough and well organized biographical and recording history notes. This information is valuable because the LPs lacked complete credits. What we really need now are reissues of Chris' A&M albums THE MORE I SEE YOU-CALL ME, TIME AFTER TIME, FOOLIN' AROUND, WATCH WHAT HAPPENS and CARTAS DE AMOR. All are late 60s except the latter, sung in Spanish and issued in 1983 on A&M Discos (Mexico).

Chris Montez had two phases in his career. The first was that of an early rock & roller on Monogram Records, doing fairly standard, by-the-numbers early rock stuff of little interest - it makes up the first half of this CD. Chris was reborn, however, as a jazz-pop easy listening singer in the mid-60s on A&M Records, blending jazz standards with a rock beat for a new sound that has since become obscure - that's the cool stuff that makes up the second half of this CD - and not his best songs at that. Unfortunately, the original A&M albums are available on CD only in Japan. Seek out his fan pages on the Web.

This was a great overview of Chris Montez's career."Let's Dance" is one of the greatest rock'n roll songs ever recorded.To be honest,I preferred Chris's early rockin' stuff more than his later jazzy pop period.Don't get me wrong,I love "Call Me"and "The More I See You",but 10 songs in a row in the same style got a little repetitious.All in all,though,a great tribute to a guy who carried on the Ritchie Valens tradition of Rockin' good songs!

You definitely have to be of a particular mind set to appreciate the dulcet tones of Chris Montez. Yes, he carried the gauntlet (or is that margarita glass) passed to him by Ritchie Valens. Yes, "Let's Dance" was on the Animal House soundtrack, which I used to hear at frat parties in the mid 80's. Yes, John Lennon got mad at him for some reason and dumped a beer on his head. Yes, Deke Dickerson's old surf band Untamed Youth did a cover of Chris' "Some Kinda Fun." Is it so wrong for me to drive around Nashville in a 1986 Oldsmobile with my windows down, singing at the top of my lungs along with "Time After Time?" Is it wrong for me to remember a particularly "special" moment associated with Chris' version of "There'll Never Be Another You?" Listening to the A&M recordings, you almost feel like you're right there at the party at some swanky tiki looking club, clapping along and pounding down tequila. Chris Montez helped to make lounge music cool. If only someday, I can see him perform in Vegas, I will be a happy chiquita.

Oh, that guy is unbelievable! I remember well the very first time he came up on a German TV programme whereback in the first half of the 70s with this song. Since then this is #1 hit in our family. We not only do listen to it, we play it on our live shows, 'cos we are 4-brothers band called "Super-Duper", and that fabulous guy, Chris Montez, is our long-lasting inspiration. I'm happy just to express my deep respect onto this unprecedented artist with his immaculate American song-styling.