• THE FRANCIS WOLFF COLLECTION

• 180 GRAM PURE VIRGIN VINYL

• GATEFOLD PACKAGING

• INCLUDES 2 BONUS TRACKS

With the sole exception of an October 24, 1947 Blue Note date, Thelonious Monk didn’t record any trio sides during the early years of his career other than the ones presented on this LP, which were taped for Prestige in 1952 and 1954. These were Monk’s first recorded versions of all of the compositions included. Considering his lack of recording opportunities, however, it can’t be assumed that he composed them all strictly for the 1952-1954 sessions. Some of them had been written many years earlier, as Monk is known to have already composed many of his tunes by 1944. Other than the pianist’s originalcompositions, the trio also cut two standards, “These Foolish Things” and “Sweet and Lovely”. “Just a Gigolo” was the only unaccompanied piano performance of the sessions.

PERSONNEL:

• THELONIOUS MONK, piano on all tracks, plus:

• [A1-A4]: GARY MAPP, bass; ART BLAKEY, drums.
• New York, October 15, 1952.

• [A5-A6] & [B3-B4]: GARY MAPP, bass; MAX ROACH, drums.
• New York, December 18, 1952.

• [A7], [B1-B2] & [B5]: PERCY HEATH, bass; ART BLAKEY, drums.
• Hackensack, New Jersey, September 22, 1954.
• [On B2 Monk plays unaccompanied piano.]

TRACKS:

• A1 LITTLE ROOTIE TOOTIE
• A2 SWEET AND LOVELY
• A3 BYE-YA
• A4 MONK’S DREAM
• A5 TRINKLE TINKLE
• A6 THESE FOOLISH THINGS
• A7 NUTTY (*)

• B1 BLUE MONK
• B2 JUST A GIGOLO
• B3 BEMSHA SWING
• B4 REFLECTIONS
• B5 WORK (*)

• (*) BONUS TRACKS: From the same sessions, but not included on the original LP.