The first Monk album for Columbia Records and also his all time best seller, represents Monk's mastery and complexity  as well as perfect interplay with one of the best combos he had worked with. Remastered by Kevin Gray from Original Master Tapes at Cohearent Audio and pressed on high quality 180gr virgin vinyl at RTI. Audiophile's Dream indeed!

Featured in Vinyl Gourmet Audiophile TOP 100

10 out of 10 for Recording & Music (HiFi+)
9/10 Music and 9/10 Sound (Michael Fremer / Analog Planet)

• Limited Edition
• First Time Available on Heavy-Weight 180 Gram Vinyl
• Audiophile All-Analog Pressing
• Mastered Impeccably from the Original Master Tapes
• Mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio
• Pressed at RTI

With the arrival of 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. Columbia's resources allowed Monk to be promoted more widely than earlier in his career. 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".

"If this record doesn't get your feet tapping and your head nodding (and not as in "out"!) I'm not sure what would... The recording trades natural space for honest tonality and incredible immediacy and excellent dynamics. Where Monk solos on the standards he gets a big spread across the stage almost taken from his keyboard perspective... Here the transparency, immediacy and transient clarity surpass that of the original and without losing any of the original's more attractive qualities. The reissue is surely lower in distortion on the dynamic peaks and the blacker backgrounds heighten the instrumental relief... A great reissue and very highly recommended... If you have no Monk albums, this would be a good place to start." - Michael Fremer, Analog Planet, Music 9/10, Sound 9/10!

Musicians:

Thelonious Monk, piano
Charlie Rouse, tenor sax
John Ore, bass
Frankie Dunlop, drums

Track Listing:

1. Monk's Dream
2. Body And Soul
3. Bright Mississippi
4. Five Spot Blues
5. Bolivar Blues
6. Just A Gigolo
7. Bye-Ya
8. Sweet And Lovely

Click here to listen to samples on YouTube.com ♫