Monks masterpiece is re born in True Mono from the original analogue tapes some 64 years since the original release.
Thelonious Monk is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential jazz pianists of the 20th Century. Monk’s remarkable originality in compositional style and playing ability was misunderstood and criticised by observers for many years before he was finally acclaimed as a genius. It is more remarkable that Monk’s unique style can be traced back to the very birth of Modern Jazz, having developed his compositional and playing style by 1947.
Monk was born in 1917 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. The family moved to Manhattan, New York City when he was still very young. He started playing the piano at the age of six and was largely self-taught. His early career began with playing the church organ while touring with an evangelist. He began finding work playing jazz and in the early 1940’s became house pianist at Minton’s Playhouse, the famous Manhattan nightclub. It was Monk’s rich inventiveness and advanced compositions from this period which helped in the formulation of the bebop style.
In 1947 Monk came to the attention of Alfred Lion of Blue Note, who proceeded to record him extensively for the next few years up to 1952. Monk then recorded for Prestige records for the following three years up to 1954. In 1955 Monk signed to Riverside and began to work with producer Orrin Keepnews.
Recorded in late 1956, Brilliant Corners was Monk’s third album for Riverside and features five of his original compositions. The title track is unconventional in song structure, the complexity was challenging the assembled quintet, and resulted in some twenty-five takes being made. The all-star quintet features Sonny Rollins on tenor sax, Ernie Henry on alto sax, Oscar Pettiford on bass and Max Roach on Drums.
This edition is priced at £300* and is available to pre-order now directly from our website here.
* Post release date price may vary subject to availability.
Original Master Tapes.
Original Master Tape (Side A).
Original Master Tape (Side B).
ERC sleeve front proof (left), original sleeve (right).
ERC label.
ERC letter-pressed back proof.
