Thelonious Monk - The Unique

The 1956 album The Unique by pianist Thelonious Monk features well-chosen standards that exemplify and help further establish the pianist and bandleader within the context of familiar melodies at the head of a trio, consisting of Oscar Pettiford (bass) and Art Blakey (drums).

Monk’s second album for Riverside continued the label’s initial plan–to broaden his audience by the use of recognizable standard tunes instead of his somewhat frightening originals. 

The listener can fully experience the “architecture” Monk builds for us to discover alongside him. For example, in "Tea for Two", Monk expands on a very simple melody, which often risks sounding turgid, yet he explores the tune, weaving a web of dissonance that is as surprising as it is revelatory.

Heavyweight vinyl produced by Original Jazz Classics for Riverside Records in 2012. Remastered at Fantasy Studios, Berkeley. Pressed at United Record Pressing.