The Definitive and Complete Straight, No Chaser!
Thelonious Monk's fruitful tenure at Columbia Records resulted in several classic recordings, and coincided with having his portrait on the cover of Time magazine–a distinction bestowed on only five jazz artists.
Straight, No Chaser is undeniably one of those classics, and finds Monk in the good company of his long-time companions–Charlie Rouse, Larry Gales, and Ben Riley.
For this CD, reissue producer Orrin Keepnews has added approximately 25 minutes of never-before-heard Monk, meticulously re-editing lost portions of issued titles while discovering two complete, previously unissued performances.

A solid recording from top to bottom with no filler or cereal, and showcasing a good chunk of Golson's many great works, this comes easily recommended to all modern mainstream jazz lovers without hesitation.

~AMG

Thelonious Monk did some brilliant work during his early- to mid-'60s stint for Columbia Records. It's Monk's Time (1964) contains some of the best – if not arguably the best – studio sides that the pianist cut during his final years as a recording musician. The album's title turned out to be somewhat prophetic, as Time magazine featured Monk as the cover subject for its February 28, 1964 edition. ~ AMG

When pianist Denny Zeitlin can break away from his full-time psychiatric practice and hook up with the very much in-demand bassist David Friesen, the results are always magical. Both are talented craftsmen on their respective instruments, but together they have the rare musical ESP that enables them to play the best possible line along with each other. Like their other duo concerts, this CD is highly recommended. ~ AMG

The Thelonious Monk Quartet of 1964 is well featured on this excellent set. Easily recommended to Monk fans, this set is just further proof that he never made an unworthy recording.

This is yet another fabulous Art Farmer album featuring him on the flugelhorn in lyrical fashion that is his trademark. He is accompanied by a tight rhythm section, consisting of pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Sam Jones and drummer Billy Higgins.

Down Beat (1960) - 5 Stars - Excellent - "..swings as much if not more than any of the quartet's previous efforts…A fine and worthy addition to your file of 5 Star albums.."

Features altoist Ornette Coleman live in concert shortly after making his first studio sessions. Musicians from what would be the Coleman Quartet (with trumpeter Don Cherry, bassist Charlie Haden, and drummer Billy Higgins) are heard at a live gig in Los Angeles under the leadership of pianist Paul Bley.

John Coltrane's maiden voyage for Atlantic Records was the fulfillment of all the potential he'd demonstrated with Miles, Monk and on his own Prestige recordings. Recorded in May 1959 (one month after completing Davis' KIND OF BLUE), GIANT STEPS is Coltrane's first recital to feature nothing but his own original compositions, and is the culmination of his obsessive foray into harmony.