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
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