Thelonious Monk Quartet - Monk's Dream

Heavy-weight 180-gram audiophile all-analog pressing!

Mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes and pressed at RTI

"Monk's Dream is the Columbia Records debut release featuring the Thelonious Monk Quartet: Monk (piano), Charlie Rouse (tenor sax), John Ore (bass), and Frankie Dunlop (drums). Jazz scholars and enthusiasts alike also heralded this combo as the best Monk had been involved with for several years. Although he would perform and record supported by various other musicians, the tight — almost telepathic — dimensions that these four shared has rarely been equalled in any genre... Monk's Dream is recommended, with something for every degree of Monk enthusiast." — Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide

With the arrival Thelonious Sphere Monk, modern music — let alone modern culture — simply hasn't 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 century's greatest American composers. At the same time, his commitment to originality in all aspects of life-in fashion, in his creative use of language and economy of words, in his biting humor, even in the way he danced away from the piano — has 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.

After extended negotiations, Monk signed in 1962 to Columbia Records, one of the big four American record labels of the day along with RCA Victor, Capitol, and Decca. Monk's relationship with Riverside had soured over disagreements concerning royalty payments and had concluded with a brace of European live albums; he had not recorded a studio album since 5 by Monk by 5 in June 1959.

Working with producer Teo Macero on his debut for the label, the sessions in the first week of November had a stable line-up that had been with him for two years: tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse (who worked with Monk from 1959 to 1970), bassist John Ore, and drummer Frankie Dunlop. Monk's Dream, his earliest Columbia album, was released in 1963. Monk's Dream would become the best-selling LP of his lifetime, and on February 28, 1964, he appeared on the cover of Time magazine, being featured in the article "The Loneliest Monk."

 

 

 

 

Side 1

Monk's Dream

Body and Soul

Bright Mississippi

Five Spot Blues

Side 2

Bolivar Blues

Just a Gigolo

Bye-Ya

Sweet and Lovely

Customer Reviews (4.50 Stars) 8 person(s) rated this product.

Awesome release! Definite version posted on 07/20/2022 5 Stars Amazing release here by Impex records, from the impeccable pressing to the top-quality jacket. Cannot conceive how this release could have possibly been done any better. Perfect from top to bottom. Consider me a fan of Impex.

Noise on Title cut posted on 03/08/2020 1 Stars Sorry to the other reviews who have posted on this issue, but on Track 1, I hear tons of noise that shouldn’t be there right at the start of Monk’s solo and continuing through the cut. I do not hear the same noise on subsequent cuts, but on Monk’s Dream it’s entirely prominent.

Great! posted on 12/13/2019 5 Stars Reviewer: Mike Music is a bliss and pressing quality etc outstanding from Impex.

Buy it! posted on 11/28/2015 5 Stars

Spendid! posted on 05/23/2015 5 Stars Reviewer: emmanuel another can't miss reissue.

Monk's Dream - Thelonious Monk posted on 02/19/2013 5 Stars Reviewer: Anthony This is the second Impex record I have purchased, Miles In Person was the other. If these are any indications of their catalog, I would say this company is a resounding success! This record is dead flat and perfectly quiet with absolutely no noise of any kind. It beats my original in every way with astonishing fidelity. Even if you don't like Monk, and shame on you if you don't, you will love this record. WOW!

Write a review and let people know what you think of this product OR just rate it.