Milt Jackson & The Thelonious Monk Quintet

Personnel: Milt Jackson (vibraphone); Thelonious Monk (piano); Kenny "Pancho" Hagood (vocals); Lou Donaldson, Sahib Shihab (alto saxophone); John Lewis (piano); Kenny Clarke, Art Blakey, Shadow Wilson (drums).
Recording information: 07/02/1948-04/07/1952.
This 10" disc consists of tracks recorded between 1948 and 1952. The co-headline billing is somewhat of a misnomer as Thelonious Monk (piano) only participates in two of the three sessions from which this title was culled. Chronologically, the pop ballads "All the Things You Are" and "I Should Care" are derived from July 1948 records that are perhaps as notable for the inclusion of Kenny "Pancho" Hagood's dreamy crooning as they are for contributions of Monk or Milt Jackson (vibes). However, both are front and center throughout with their highly stylized prominent instrumental punctuation. A prolific July 1951 date -- which yielded nine tracks altogether -- is the source for the two Monk originals, "Ask Me Now" and "Criss-Cross." Joining the two co-leaders are Sahib Shihab (alto sax), Al McKibbon (bass), and Art Blakey (drums). Each display the essence of both Monk's undisputed bop mastery as well as this particular combo's seemingly effortless unity and cohesive improvisational skills. Monk's off-kilter and rhythmically challenging leadership prevails throughout "Ask Me Now" -- which is also conspicuous for the audible absence of Jackson. An April 1952 session -- from what in essence includes the Modern Jazz Quartet: John Lewis (piano), Percy Heath (bass), and Kenny Clarke (drums) -- provide unparalleled support for Jackson. Along with Lou Donaldson (alto sax), they provide two sublime takes of Duke Ellington's "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" -- each a singularly emotive masterwork. Although the 1952 date is not included, Monk's Complete Blue Note Recordings feature the entire 1948 and 1951 collaborations as well as every other side the pianist cut during his half-decade tenure on Blue Note. ~ Lindsay Planer