The Thelonious Monk Quartet – Monk In Tokyo (2LP)
Piano - Thelonious Monk (all tracks) [click here to see more vinyl featuring Thelonious Monk]
Tenor Saxophone – Charlie Rouse [click here to see more vinyl featuring Charlie Rouse]
Bass – Butch Warren
Drums – Frankie Dunlop
Written by Thelonious Monk (A1-2, A4 to B4, C2 to D1), Julius Brammer (A3), Irving Caesar (A3), Leonello Casucci (A3), Denzil Best (B3), Kenny Clarke (B4, D2), George Bassman (C1), Ned Washington (C1)
2 LP, Gatefold jacket
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g Virgin Vinyl
Record color : black
Speed : 33 RPM
Size : 12'’
Stereo
Live
Record Press : Pallas
Label : Speakers Corner
Original Label : CBS
Recorded May 21, 1963 at Sankei Hall, Tokyo
Lacquer cut by Rainer Maillard at Emil Berliner Studios
Photography by Tadayuki Naitoh
Cover by Shuichi Yoshida
Originally released in 1964
Reissued in April 2016
Tracks:
Side A:
- Straight No Chaser
- Pannonica
- Just A Gigolo
Side B:
- Evidence
- Jackie – Ing
- Bemsha Swing
- Epistrophy
Side C:
- I'm Gettin' Sentimental Over You
- Hackensack
Side D:
- Blue Monk
- Epistrophy
Reviews:
“Recorded live in Tokyo, this LP captures the quartet on their first Asian tour, performing mostly Thelonious Monk's own tunes, such as "Straight, No Chaser," "Blue Monk," and "Bemsha Swing." The Japanese audience reacts enthusiastically, with the quartet responding in kind with a generally inspired performance. There are few, if any, surprises -- just solid playing and delightfully swinging, and at times hard-hitting, group and individual performances. While this may have been an average night for Charlie Rouse on tenor sax, Monk seems invigorated by the setting, putting forth a strong effort with exciting results. Butch Warren's bass holds the line, while drummer Frankie Dunlop keeps immaculate time. Monk's trademark, quirky compositions are on full display, with their sophisticated voicings, rhythmic oddities, and melodic eccentricities. At this point in his career, Monk's output was remarkably consistent, and there is nothing here to dispel that characterization. This should appeal to collectors as well as first-time listeners who wish to own at least one Monk quartet album. Despite the short recording time, the music is of a consistently high quality and it is well-recorded, too, making this a valuable, if not indispensable, issue.” AllMusic Review by Steve Loewy
“This fine recording was somewhat overlooked when it first appeared in 1973, and the same fate may await this reissue, given the fact that several other notable Monk-related releases are vying for attention during this centennial of his birth year. Monk’s quartet with Charlie Rouse on tenor saxophone was formed in 1959 and endured until 1970. It was recorded more than any other group lead by Monk, and Rouse has been unfairly condemned since the beginning for the crime of not being John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, or Johnny Griffin (all heard in earlier Monk lineups). Rouse was a fine player in his own right, and his sound and phrasing were well suited to Monk’s music. Still, with dozens of live recordings by the quartet to choose from, why should listeners choose Monk in Tokyo? Rouse is in average form, but bassist Butch Warren and drummer Ben Riley swing like mad, the sound is excellent, and Monk himself sounds inspired—we hold him in such high regard as a composer we can forget what a great soloist he was. Add to all that beautiful 180-gram vinyl, and you can hardly go wrong.” The Absolute Sound Review by Duck Baker
Ratings :
AllMusic : 4.5 / 5 , Discogs : 4.92 / 5 ; TAS : Music 4 / 5 , Sonics 4 / 5