Genius of Modern Music, Vols. One & Two are a pair of separate but related 12" compilation albums (LPs) by American jazz pianist Thelonious Monk released on Blue Note in 1956. Later re-issues on CD include more material recorded at the same sessions but not released on the original LPs.
Background
Recording and production Monk recorded six sessions for Blue Note, all produced by Alfred Lion: October 15 and 24, 1947, November 21, 1947, July 2, 1948, July 23, 1951, and May 30, 1952. All sessions were recorded by Doug Hawkins at WOR Studios, except July 2, 1948, recorded at Apex Studios.
Release history Two 10"s were cut from the first five sessions: Genius of Modern Music (1951) and Genius of Modern Music, Vol. 2 (1952). After 10"s lost the format war, Blue Note began reissuing its Modern Jazz Series on 12"s. Material from the two ten-inches, the 1952 session, and other outtakes were recompiled on Genius of Modern Music, Vol. One (BLP 1510) and Genius of Modern Music, Vol. Two (BLP 1511).
The two volumes were recompiled for their CD reissue, moving the entire July 2, 1948 session to the Milt Jackson: Wizard of the Vibes reissue, and placing the other five sessions (with outtakes) in chronological order, with the 1947 sessions on Volume One and the 1951 and 1952 sessions on Volume Two.
Track listing
Genius of Modern Music, Volume One – BLP 1510
Genius of Modern Music, Volume Two – BLP 1511
CD reissues
Note
The CD issues compile the five sessions—excluding July 2, 1948, concurrently reissued on Milt Jackson: Wizard of the Vibes—chronologically. The 2001 RVG edition recompiled the track listing, postpending the alternate takes to their respective sessions, and restored the cover art for the original 10" LPs.
Personnel
Musicians
October 15, 1947
Thelonious Monk – piano Idrees Sulieman – trumpet Danny Quebec West – alto saxophone Billy Smith – tenor saxophone Gene Ramey – bass Art Blakey – drums
October 24, 1947
Thelonious Monk – piano Gene Ramey – bass Art Blakey – drums
November 21, 1947
Thelonious Monk – piano George Taitt – trumpet Sahib Shihab – alto saxophone Bob Paige – bass Art Blakey – drums
July 2, 1948
Milt Jackson – vibraphone Thelonious Monk – piano John Simmons – bass Shadow Wilson – drums
July 23, 1951
Thelonious Monk – piano Sahib Shihab – alto saxophone (except "Ask Me Now") Milt Jackson – vibraphone (except "Ask Me Now") Al McKibbon – bass Art Blakey – drums
May 30, 1952
Thelonious Monk – piano Kenny Dorham – trumpet Lou Donaldson – alto saxophone Lucky Thompson – tenor saxophone Nelson Boyd – bass Max Roach – drums
Technical personnel
Original
Alfred Lion – producer Doug Hawkins – engineer Ira Gitler – liner notes
Reissue
Michael Cuscuna – reissue producer Ron McMaster – digital transfer
See also
References
External links
Album's page on Blue Note website