180g Audiophile Vinyl! Specially Re-Mastered From Original Tapes!
With the arrival Thelonious Sphere Monk, modern musiclet alone modern culture--simply hasnt been the same. Recognized as one of the most inventive pianists of any musical genre, Monk achieved a startlingly original sound that even his most devoted followers have been unable to successfully imitate. His musical vision was both ahead of its time and deeply rooted in tradition, spanning the entire history of the music from the stride masters of James P. Johnson and Willie the Lion Smith to the tonal freedom and kinetics of the avant garde. And he shares with Edward Duke Ellington the distinction of being one of the centurys greatest American composers. At the same time, his commitment to originality in all aspects of lifein fashion, in his creative use of language and economy of words, in his biting humor, even in the way he danced away from the pianohas led fans and detractors alike to call him eccentric, mad or even taciturn. Consequently, Monk has become perhaps the most talked about and least understood artist in the history of jazz.
Monk recorded Underground in '67-'68. It's the last recording with the Thelonious Monk Quartet (Larry Gales on bass, Charlie Rouse on tenor sax, and Ben Riley on drums) and one of the last albums he made for Columbia. What makes Underground special is that unlike his other Columbia recordings, four out of the seven songs were newly composed and recorded. Not to mention its striking cover artwork, which depicts Monk as a French Resistance member in a particularly messy attic. Music On Vinyl is especially proud to announce that this recording has been specially re-mastered in the US for this vinyl edition from the original tapes.
"This release has long been considered Thelonious Monk's acknowledgement to the flourishing youth-oriented subculture from whence the collection takes its name. Certainly the Grammy-winning cover art... gave the establishment more than the brilliant swinging sounds in the grooves to consider. Underground became Monk's penultimate studio album... The presence of Charlie Rouse throughout the album is certainly worth noting. 'Ugly Beauty' best captures the sacred space and musical rapport that he and Monk shared. Each musician functions as an extension of the other, creating solos that weave synchronically as if performed by the same pair of hands." - Lindsay Planer, allmusic.com
Features:
Audiophile 180g Vinyl
Special Re-mastered Version
Re-mastered from original tapes
Import
Musicians:
Thelonious Monk, piano
Larry Gales, bass
Charlie Rouse, tenor saxophone
Ben Riley, drums
Selections:
Side 1:
1. Thelonious
2. Ugly Beauty
3. Raise Four
4. Boo Boo's Birthday
Side 2:
1. Easy Street
2. Green Chimneys
3. In Walked Bud
With the arrival Thelonious Sphere Monk, modern musiclet alone modern culture--simply hasnt been the same. Recognized as one of the most inventive pianists of any musical genre, Monk achieved a startlingly original sound that even his most devoted followers have been unable to successfully imitate. His musical vision was both ahead of its time and deeply rooted in tradition, spanning the entire history of the music from the stride masters of James P. Johnson and Willie the Lion Smith to the tonal freedom and kinetics of the avant garde. And he shares with Edward Duke Ellington the distinction of being one of the centurys greatest American composers. At the same time, his commitment to originality in all aspects of lifein fashion, in his creative use of language and economy of words, in his biting humor, even in the way he danced away from the pianohas led fans and detractors alike to call him eccentric, mad or even taciturn. Consequently, Monk has become perhaps the most talked about and least understood artist in the history of jazz.
Monk recorded Underground in '67-'68. It's the last recording with the Thelonious Monk Quartet (Larry Gales on bass, Charlie Rouse on tenor sax, and Ben Riley on drums) and one of the last albums he made for Columbia. What makes Underground special is that unlike his other Columbia recordings, four out of the seven songs were newly composed and recorded. Not to mention its striking cover artwork, which depicts Monk as a French Resistance member in a particularly messy attic. Music On Vinyl is especially proud to announce that this recording has been specially re-mastered in the US for this vinyl edition from the original tapes.
"This release has long been considered Thelonious Monk's acknowledgement to the flourishing youth-oriented subculture from whence the collection takes its name. Certainly the Grammy-winning cover art... gave the establishment more than the brilliant swinging sounds in the grooves to consider. Underground became Monk's penultimate studio album... The presence of Charlie Rouse throughout the album is certainly worth noting. 'Ugly Beauty' best captures the sacred space and musical rapport that he and Monk shared. Each musician functions as an extension of the other, creating solos that weave synchronically as if performed by the same pair of hands." - Lindsay Planer, allmusic.com
Features:
Audiophile 180g Vinyl
Special Re-mastered Version
Re-mastered from original tapes
Import
Musicians:
Thelonious Monk, piano
Larry Gales, bass
Charlie Rouse, tenor saxophone
Ben Riley, drums
Selections:
Side 1:
1. Thelonious
2. Ugly Beauty
3. Raise Four
4. Boo Boo's Birthday
Side 2:
1. Easy Street
2. Green Chimneys
3. In Walked Bud
