Item Description

It happens very rarely that you can praise a records without any reservations, this is the case here!!!

A lot of ink has flowed across the page since the Vogue/Swing release (1955) of that founding solo record. The repertoire was made up of pieces that Thelonious was playing in New York over that period, but in trio or with a quartet, here his music shows nakedness, i should say crudeness, which is completely overwhelming. It is a black and white photograph of what is happening inside Monk’s head; its sharpness is enthralling, as everyone has known for more than sixty years.

We enter the world of one of the most original artists. Monk, at 37, is at the peak of his art.
From Laurent De Wilde.

Personnel:
Thelonious Monk (Piano)

Side A
Round About Midnight 5’14”
Reflections 3’04”
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes 3’23”
Well You Needn’t 3’24”

Side B
Portrait of an Ermite 5’01”
Manganese 2’34”
Eronel 2’32”
Off Minor 2’31”

– Re-mastered from the original mono master tapes.
– Cut by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio, LLC.
– Vinyl pressed by Optimal in Germany.
– 10-inch – Facsimile reissue using the original cover art.
– Double insert using an original photo by Marcel Fleiss from 1954.
– Each record has been visually checked to prevent defects.