Milt Jackson - Milt Jackson & The Thelonious Monk Quintet [LP]

Milt Jackson & The Thelonious Monk Quintet captures bebop spark and Blue Note poise, pairing Monk's angular piano with Milt Jackson's singing vibraphone tone. Issued in the label's 1500 Series as an expanded 12-inch drawn from late 1940s and early 1950s sessions, this Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series edition returns the music in a faithful, great-sounding mono cut. A neat historical touch, the cover recreates Reid Miles's first Blue Note design, a milestone in the label's visual identity.

The program moves from sleek blues to knotty lines with lyrical breaks in between. "Bags' Groove" strolls with effortless swing, "Criss Cross" snaps with Monk's off-kilter accents, and "Evidence" lands with crisp, modern bite. Ballad shades arrive on "Willow Weep for Me" and "What's New," while the ensemble settings spotlight Monk with saxophone and rhythm sections that keep the pulse nimble.

Pressed on 180g black vinyl in mono, this Classic Vinyl cut is all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes and pressed at Optimal. Expect focused mids, lively cymbals, and a natural, woody bass presence. Packaging is the series' standard direct-to-board jacket.

• Format: Black 180g Vinyl LP
• Standout tracks: "Bags' Groove," "Criss Cross," "Evidence"
• Pressing details: Mono, all-analog cut by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio from original master tapes; 180g; pressed at Optimal; Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series
• Genre/style: Jazz, Bebop, Hard bop, Piano jazz
• UPC: 0602445082278

A compact slice of early modern jazz history with punch and melody, Milt Jackson & The Thelonious Monk Quintet plays beautifully on this straightforward Classic Vinyl pressing.

* The Spotify track list may not exactly represent the tracks and audio of this LP edition.

Track List:

Side A:

1. Lillie
2. Tahiti
3. What's New
4. Bags' Groove
5. On The Scene
6. Willow Weep For Me

Side B:

1. Criss Cross
2. Eronel
3. Mysterioso (Alternate Master)
4. Evidence
5. Lillie (Alternate Master)
6. Four In One (Alternate Master)