With the sole exception of an October 24, 1947 BlueNote date, Thelonious Monk didn’t record any triosides during the early years of his career other thanthe ones presented on this LP, which were taped forPrestige in 1952 and 1954. These were Monk’s firstrecorded versions of all of the compositions included.Considering his lack of recording opportunities,however, it can’t be assumed that he composedthem all strictly for the 1952-1954 sessions. Someof them had been written many years earlier, asMonk is known to have already composed many ofhis tunes by 1944. Other than the pianist’s originalcompositions, the trio also cut two standards,“These Foolish Things” and “Sweet and Lovely”.“Just a Gigolo” was the only unaccompanied pianoperformance of the sessions.

THELONIOUS MONK, pianoOn all tracks, plus:A1-A4: GARY MAPP, bass; ART BLAKEY, drums.New York, October 15, 1952.A5-A6 & B3-B4: GARY MAPP, bass; MAX ROACH, drums.New York, December 18, 1952.A7, B1-B2 & B5: PERCY HEATH, bass; ART BLAKEY, drums.Hackensack, New Jersey, September 22, 1954.[On B2 Monk plays unaccompanied piano.]All original sessions recorded by Rudy Van Gelder& produced by Bob Weinstock.

• 1. Little Rootie Tootie
• 2. Sweet and Lovely
• 3. Bye-Ya
• 4. Monk's Dream
• 5. Trinkle Tinkle
• 6. These Foolish Things
• 7. Nutty
• 8. Blue Monk
• 9. Just a Gigolo
• 10. Bemsha Swing
• 11. Reflections
• 12. Work