Recorded with fabled jazz producer Orrin Keepnews, this is the first of mercurial pianist Monk's handful of solo piano recordings. It's been recently reissued, with bonus alternate takes, in a 24-bit format. Monk's quirky, heavy-hands treatment of several Tin Pan Alley standards ("April in Paris," "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You") and a handful of originals ("Round Midnight," "Monk's Mood") has a close-to-the-vest feel, with each note sounding hard won. On the newly composed "Functional," he deftly executes his eccentric melding of stride piano with forward-thinking harmony and zigzag ideas. Nearly three minutes into "Monk's Mood," up pops the pianist's new protégé, John Coltrane, who thoughtfully plays the sweet, sad melody. —Eric Snider
