Thelonious Monk – Underground

After nearly a decade of historic, career-defining LPs for top independent jazz labels Blue Note, Prestige and Riverside between 1952 and 1961, the colossal pianist Thelonious Monk joined Columbia in 1962, the first and only association in his career with any major record company. There he released six masterfully characteristic albums (all produced by Teo Macero) that are as integral a part of his life's work as all the others he created before and since.

"Underground" from 1968 was Monk's swan song at Columbia, also the last reunion of his celebrated '60s quartet with Charlie Rouse (tenor sax), Larry Gales (bass) and Ben Riley (drums), and earned a place in many LP collections because of the 'underground' bunker photo on the cover, which won a Grammy.

Quite a few of the composer's new tracks are featured here, including "Ugly Beauty," "Boo Boo's Birthday," and "Green Chimneys" (although this was recorded on the earlier sessions for "Straight, No Chaser," this was the first released version of "Green Chimneys"). The seven tracks on this record end with "In Walked Bud," a nod to the other great pianist of his day, Bud Powell, with lyrics on point and Jon Hendricks on vocals.

This recording was remastered in the U.S. from the original tapes for the vinyl edition only.

Thelonius Monk, considered one of the best jazz pianists of all time, recorded ,,Underground" between 1967-1968. It is the last recording with the Thelonius Monk Quartet (Larry Gales on bass, Charlie Rouse on tenor saxophone and Ben Riley on drums) and one of the last albums Monk recorded for Columbia.

What makes "Underground" so special, however, is the fact that on this album - unlike the rest of the recordings for Columbia - four of the seven songs were newly composed and recorded. Add to this the fantastic cover artwork, which shows Monk as a member of the French Resistance in the hubbub of an untidy attic.

Reviews

,,Drug Lover Monk in top form, excellent transfer." (Good Times, June / July 2013)