Thelonious Monk Septet – Monk’s Music [Stereo] (Analogue Productions Fantasy Series 45 RPM Edition)

(AAA) — Lacquers cut from the original analog master tapes by Kevin Gray & Steve Hoffman at AcousTech Mastering.

Monk’s Music is among the most significant of Thelonious’ classic Riverside albums. Here he was literally looking back and ahead at the same time, by bringing together Coleman Hawkins (the very first important voice on tenor saxophone) and John Coltrane (on the verge of becoming a major shaping force of the Sixties). Equally notable is the incredible rhythmic support provided by combining Art Blakey and Wilbur Ware; and, justifying the album title, a selection of vital Monk compositions — plus his choice of the 19th century hymn, “Abide with Me” (written by one William H. Monk).

A rare chance to hear this masterpiece in Stereo. We think that the absolute original of this release was in Stereo for a very short time. Almost all subsequent reissues have been from the Mono tapes. This was remastered from the original Stereo masters.

"This is a major release. It's Monk's most magnificent album...The 45 rpm pressing is as lively and vivid as any version I've ever heard. Unlike all other audiophile reissues (and most reissues period), it draws on the stereo master tapes...And the album's famous first tune, all the horns harmonizing on 'Abide with Me,' is not only more tonally gorgeous than ever, but laid out a true, wide soundstage...Of all the jazz classics that Analogue Productions has released on 45, this is among the essentials." - Fred Kaplan, The Absolute Sound, April/May 2004

(Above description from AcousticSounds.com)