THELONIOUS MONK — Genius of Modern Music, Vol. 1 (1947) RM | MONO | RVG Edition, Modern Jazz Series | Two Version | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Volume 1 of the two-volume Genius of Modern Music set comprises the first sessions Thelonious Monk recorded as a leader, on October 15 and 24 and November 21 of 1947. It's impossible to overstate the importance of these sessions. They include some of the earliest recordings of Monk compositions that would become standards, despite their angularity and technical difficulty: the strange, sideways chord progression of "Thelonious"; the bouncy and cheerful but melodically cockeyed "Well, You Needn't"; the post-bop Bud Powell tribute "In Walked Bud"; and, of course, "'Round Midnight," which is now one of the most frequently recorded jazz compositions ever. There are kinks to be worked out: Art Blakey's drumming is fine, but he obviously hasn't quite taken the measure of Monk's compositional genius, and on the November session, alto saxophonist Sahib Shihab employs a fat, warbly tone that sounds out of place. But the excitement of discovery permeates every measure, and Monk himself is in top form, his solos jagged and strange, yet utterly beautiful. This first volume of Genius of Modern Music, along with the second, belongs in every jazz collection. Rick Anderson   
Tracklist :
1. Humph 2:50
Composed By – Monk
2. Evonce (Alternate Take) 3:00
Composed By – I. Sulieman, I. Quebec
3. Evonce 3:01
Composed By – I. Sulieman, I. Quebec
4. Suburban Eyes 2:58
Composed By – Ike Quebec
5. Suburban Eyes (Alternate Take) 2:55
Composed By – Ike Quebec
6. Thelonious 2:58
Composed By – Monk
7. Nice Work If You Can Get It (Alternate Take) 3:01
Composed By – Gershwin
8. Nice Work If You Can Get It 3:00
Composed By – Gershwin
9. Ruby My Dear (Alternate Take) 3:03
Composed By – Mon
10. Ruby My Dear 3:05
Composed By – Monk
11. Well You Needn't 2:55
Composed By – Monk
12. Well You Needn't (Alternate Take) 2:52
Composed By – Monk
13. April In Paris (Alternate Take) 2:39
Composed By – Harburg, Duke
14. April In Paris 3:17
Composed By – Harburg, Duke
15. Off Minor 2:58
Composed By – Monk
16. Introspection 3:10
Composed By – Monk
17. In Walked Bud 2:54
Composed By – Monk
18. Monk's Mood 3:09
Composed By – Monk
19. Who Knows 2:40
Composed By – Monk
20. 'Round Midnight 3:09
Composed By – Monk
21. Who Knows (Alternate Take) 2:39
Composed By – Monk
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Danny Quebec West (tracks: 1 to 6), Sahib Shihab (tracks: 17 to 21)
Bass – Bob Paige (tracks: 17 to 21), Gene Ramey (tracks: 1 to 16)
Drums – Art Blakey
Piano – Thelonious Monk
Trumpet – George Taitt (tracks: 17 to 21), Idrees Sulieman (tracks: 1 to 6)

THELONIOUS MONK – 1947-1948 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1118 (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 The first recordings ever issued under Thelonious Monk's name are presented as volume one in the Classics Thelonious Monk chronology. Although he'd been an active catalyst on the jazz scene for many years it wasn't until the autumn of 1947 that Monk was able to begin making records as a leader. These 20 Blue Note sides are uniformly excellent; each of the pianist's original compositions would soon begin to form a musical canon of strikingly creative works that would completely transform the ways in which jazz was conceived, structured, played, received and understood. During this period, Monk's groups included such vital players as Milt Jackson, Art Blakey, Shadow Wilson, Gene Ramey, Idrees Sulieman, Sahib Shihab and Ike Quebec's cousin Danny Quebec West. Monk's quartet session of July 2, 1948 features two pleasant vocals by Kenny "Pancho" Hagood. Note that "Evidence," based upon the chord progressions of "Just You, Just Me," was originally titled "Just Us." Legend has it that after he realized that the recording engineer had mistakenly written down "Justice," Monk decided that if he was going to court he'd be sure and bring along the Evidence. arwulf arwulf      Tracklist :

JOHN KIRBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1945-1946 | The Classics Chronological Series – 964 (1997) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The fourth and final Classics CD to reissue all of the studio recordings of the John Kirby Sextet features the band's very rare 1945-1946 performances, originally released by the Asch, Crown, Disc, and Apollo labels. The personnel of the classic unit had changed, with only the bassist/leader and clarinetist Buster Bailey still present on all of the numbers (although altoist Russell Procope and pianist Billy Kyle are on half the selections). Trumpeters Emmett Berry, Clarence Brererton, and George Taitt do their best to fill in for the departed Charlie Shavers; drummer Bill Beason was the late O'Neil Spencer's permanent replacement; other musicians making appearances include altoists George Johnson and Hilton Jefferson, tenor saxophonist Budd Johnson (who makes the sextet a septet on six songs), and pianists Ram Ramirez and Hank Jones. The young Sarah Vaughan is featured on four selections (including classic renditions of "You Go to My Head" and "It Might as Well Be Spring"), and the forgotten Shirley Moore takes two vocals. Although the group's sound had not changed and there are some colorful arrangements, Shavers' muted yet fiery trumpet was definitely missed. This valuable release is recommended after acquiring Kirby's first three Classics CDs. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :