Pure genius
Kay Emm Gee | 02/24/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Jazz master Thelonious Monk creates music on the piano that is certainly as unique as his personality. On this CD, a combination between some lesser known jazz works (to those who are not fans of jazz or specifically Monk)are combined with some brilliant standards, one of which is Monk's own contribution to popular standards, the incredible "Round Midnight." The bottom line is this: if you love Monk, you'll love this CD."
Great tracks, questionable packaging
Kay Emm Gee | 03/10/2003
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Its hit or miss with Disconforme records or Definitive Classics or whatever they are called. Some of their releases are forgotten treasures and others are legal bootlegs. This CD is a bootleg plain and simple. The CD booklet claims that the CD contains all the master takes of Monk's Blue Note sessions, it does not. Many important tacks are missing including my favorites: "Skippy" and "Four in One." The short liner notes are not insightful, giving the standard Monk bio. The sound quality is poor, and does not sound remastered at all. For those wanting to own Monk's Blue Note output pick up, "Genius of Modern Music" volumes 1&2 and "Wizard or the Vibes" each of these CD is available in the RVG remastered version, which has superior sound quality. (Completists should pick up "Sonny Rollins, Vol. 2" also.)
The only redeeming attribute of the CD is the four Coleman Hawkings tracks, Monk's first professional recordings. But buyer beware, the sound quality of these tracks is extremely poor. However, the tracks provide a wonderful insight into Monk's earliest days as a stride player."
Track Listings (24) - Disc #1