Genius Of Modern Music (Volume One) = セロニアス・モンク（第1集） - Thelonious Monk (1977) (1LP Vinyl, Japan) - Near Mint (NM)

Condition: Used

Media Condition: Near Mint (NM)

Sleeve Condition: Near Mint (NM)

Genius Of Modern Music (Volume One) = セロニアス・モンク（第1集） by Thelonious Monk.

Few records in the jazz canon carry the weight of Thelonious Monk's "Genius Of Modern Music (Volume One)," and this Japanese pressing brings that foundational music to the turntable in fine style. Issued by King Record Co., Ltd. under authorization from United Artists Music And Records Group, this edition gathers the earliest recorded statements of a pianist whose harmonic language would reshape the music entirely. Everything here bears the Blue Note stamp of authority, from the sound to the presentation.

The music itself is essential Monk, opening side A with 'Round Midnight, arguably the most recorded jazz standard of all time and a piece that remains inseparable from its composer. From there the program moves through the angular Off Minor, the aching ballad Ruby My Dear, and the sly swing of I Mean You, before April In Paris and In Walked Bud round out the first side. Every one of these compositions has since become a cornerstone of the repertoire, and hearing them in their original form is a lesson in how modern jazz was built.

Side B is no less indispensable, offering Thelonious, Epistrophy, and Misterioso, each a study in Monk's off kilter genius, his use of space, dissonance, and rhythmic surprise. Well You Needn't, Introspection, and Humph complete the set, showcasing a composer who arrived fully formed with a vocabulary that no one before him had spoken. Monk's piano is the sole credited instrument in these notes, placing his singular touch at the very center of the listening experience.

This pressing has been treated with real care for the collector. The remastering was handled by Rudy Van Gelder himself, the engineer whose name is synonymous with the Blue Note sound, ensuring the music is presented with clarity and presence. The runouts are stamped, and the release features the iconic cover design by Reid Miles alongside photography by Francis Wolff, the visual team who defined the label's timeless look. Liner notes come courtesy of Ira Gitler and Kazutomi Aoki, offering both English language jazz scholarship and Japanese perspective.

As a Japanese issue, this edition comes complete with its accompanying inserts, including a single sided liner notes and credits insert in Japanese and a double sided Blue Note discography insert. The catalogue number GXF 3014(M) appears on the back cover, labels, insert, and spine, with GXF-3014(M) on the obi, while the original BLP 1510 designation is preserved on the labels. The labels carry a ℗ 1977 date and the King Record Co. manufacturing credit, marking this as a Made in Japan pressing.

For the collector building a serious Monk shelf, this is a document of the very beginning, presented with the reverence it deserves.

Pressing Details:
Track Listing:
A1. 'Round Midnight = ラウンド・アバウト・ミッドナイト
A2. Off Minor = オフ・マイナー
A3. Ruby My Dear = ルビー・マイ・ディア
A4. I Mean You = アイ・ミーン・ユー
A5. April In Paris = パリの四月
A6. In Walked Bud = イン・ウォークト・バッド
B1. Thelonious = セロニアス
B2. Epistrophy = エピストロフィー
B3. Misterioso = ミステリオーソ
B4. Well You Needn't = ウェル・ユー・ニードント
B5. Introspection = イントロスペクション
B6. Humph = ハンフ

Credits:
Reid Miles - Design [Cover Design By]
Ira Gitler - Liner Notes
Kazutomi Aoki - Liner Notes
Francis Wolff - Photography By [Photo By]
Thelonious Monk - Piano
Rudy Van Gelder - Remastered By [Remastering By]

Notes:
Issued with a single-sided liner notes and credits insert in Japanese.
Also issued with a double-sided Blue Note discography insert.

The catalogue number "GXF 3014(M)" appears on the back cover, labels, insert and spine.
The catalogue number "GXF-3014(M)" appears on the obi.
The catalogue number "BLP 1510" appears on the labels.

Runouts are stamped.

On the back cover:
Blue Note Records Inc.
® Trademarks owned by United Artists Music And Records Group, Inc. and used by King Record Co., Ltd. under authorization
Made in Japan

On the labels:
Blue Note Records Inc
Blue Note Records, A Division of United Artists Music And Records Group, Inc.
Mfd. by King Record Co., Ltd. Japan
℗ 1977

Artist: Thelonious Monk

Supporting Artists: Thelonious Monk

Format: 1LP

Genre: Jazz

Label: Blue Note

Catalog Number: GXF 3014(M)

Release Year: 1977

Country: Japan