Les Liaisons (Lp/200gr./33rpm)

This is a valuable item of previously unheard music. Well recorded and edited with a very comprehensive booklet explaining all the circumstances that led up to this historic date. This was Monk's only soundtrack for a French movie. His working quartet with Charlie Rouse (tenor saxophone), Sam Jones (bass) and Arthur Taylor (drums) provides great support for Monk and on several tracks French tenor saxophone master Barney Wilen joins Rouse on the front line. This is truly the century's most incredible musical discovery!

"Monk is no charlatan, no curiosity-vendor seeking to impress the bourgeoisie." Alain Tercinet, Jazz Hot, 1955.This is the music Monk recorded in 1959 for the French film (also the title of this set) that also had other American jazz players on the soundtrack. While the other music for the film (Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers and others) has been released, this music by Monk has never been issued as a stand alone release until now. Sanctioned by Monk's estate, the original tapes (recently located) were used for this release. The sound is actually quite good for older tapes--crisp and clean sounding. The 56 page booklet has an essay (among others) by Robin Kelley, author of "Thelonious Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original", plus period photos from the film and session at Nola Penthouse Studio in N.Y. The discs slip inside pockets in a tri-fold cardboard package and along with the thick booklet, everything slips into a cardboard slipcase open at both ends. This is a nicely presented package all the way around.The band is Monk-piano,Charlie Rouse-tenor sax, Sam Jones-bass, and Art Taylor-drums. Barney Wilen is heard on a few tracks on tenor sax. Monk didn't compose any new music for the film, choosing to improvise on his own tunes Like "Crepuscule For Nellie", "Well, You Needn't", "Light Blue", "Rhythm-A-Ning", "Pannonica", "Six In One" (which appeared later slightly different under the title "Round Lights") , and other compositions. Besides the finished takes, included are false starts, alternate takes (including a 14 + minute "making of" the tune "Light Blue". There's also some studio talk on these tracks. Plus we get to hear the 45 RPM master versions of "Light Blue", and "Pannonica".This music is arguably best heard as far as impact in album form as opposed to the film itself. All the tracks show Monk at some of his best improvising along with a great band. Rouse is in good form (along with Wilen), and the music stands as another good example of Monk's skills as a composer and improvisor. "Rhythm-A-Ning" has a nice swinging (at least for Monk) sound. Listen to to the bass/drums subtly drive this tune and then Monk's piano. "By and By" is under two minutes but Monk's plaintive sound on this solo piece is there from the beginning. "Light Blue" begins with a stop/start drum rhythm that grabs your attention from the start, and then the piano and that warm tenor sax sound fill in this composition nicely. But all the finished takes (and some of the alternates) have Monk's stamp on them.For Monk (and Rouse) fans this is a real find. Even though dealing with personal issues and relying mostly on already written compositions of his own, Monk rose to the occasion at this session. A good addition to your shelf of Monk music.

El descubrimiento accidental de las cintas de la grabación de la banda sonora de "Las relaciones peligrosas" de Roger Vadim, única banda sonora compuesta por Monk es todo un hallazgo. Dos CD, el primero con las tomas que aparecen en el film y El Segundo con otras tomas e incluso la construcción de un tema desde el principio hasta la concepción final es todo una maravilla. El sonido es espléndido y Monk luce con especial esplendor. Los temas son casi todos conocidos pero algunas de estas versiones son sin duda las mejores, todo ello con un booklet estupendo y unas fotografías de la sesión de grabación fantásticas. En fin un regalo para los que amamos a Monk y una oportunidad de descubrir como trabajaba el genio.

très émouvant de pouvoir enfin écouter ces bandes " oubliées " dans un tiroirGrande qualité artistique et sonoreMais contrairement à un commentaire ce n'est PAS Barney Wilen sur Panonica ( il est seulement présent sur le superbe Crepuscule with Nellie et Rythm-a-Ning... c'est Le compagnon de presque toujours, Charlie Rouse...

Come tutte le stampe realizzate da Sam Rocords il vinile è impeccabile, senza rumore alcuno nella riproduzione. La scheda del prodotto nella intestazione riporta la dicitura "2 LP" mentre la descrizione riporta un solo LP. Se acquistate il prodotto tenete conto che si tratta della versione in singolo vinile. Vale comunque la pena perché si tratta di versioni dei classici monkiani rivedute e corrette per essere utilizzate come colonna sonora di un film. Se non avete mai sentito l'accoppiata Monk & Rouse questo sarebbe un ottimo primo disco, privo di certe asperità e tecnicismi che le registrazioni classiche contengono.