Thelonious Monk - In Action [Analogue Prod 180g; LP 4 of 7 LP-Box "The Riverside Tenor Sessions"] 24/96 & 16/44.1

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While in exceptional form, Monk is far from casting the only or even the brightest light during these unforgettable sides. Joining him on-stage at the legendary Five Spot club are: Johnny Griffin (tenor sax), Ahmed Abdul-Malik (bass), and Roy Haynes. - Lindsay Planer/AMG

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Thelonious in Action: Recorded at the Five Spot Cafe is a 1958 album by jazz musician Thelonious Monk. Recorded live at the Five Spot Cafe it features Thelonious Monk (piano), Johnny Griffin (sax), Ahmed Abdul-Malik (bass), and Roy Haynes (drums).

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Review by Lindsay Planer While in exceptional form, Monk is far from casting the only or even the brightest light during these unforgettable sides. Joining him on-stage at the legendary Five Spot club are: Johnny Griffin (tenor sax), Ahmed Abdul-Malik (bass), and Roy Haynes. It's unfortunate that this unit did not remain together for any length of time as they are able to launch Monk's compositions into some fairly significant places. Johnny Griffin's aggressive performance style incorporates a lyrical and melodic undertone perfectly complementing Monk's sporadic inflections. "Coming On the Hudson" features Griffin weaving his magic around the melody while providing a decisive Coltrane-esque counterpoint to which Monk precariously locates his responses. The intensity of "Rhythm-A-Ning" lifts the whole combo after quickly developing the chorus. Griffin builds line upon melodic line, after which Monk responds in kind by adding distinct punctuations of his own. So powerful is Griffin's onslaught, Monk can be heard indicating more than once that Griffin should indulge in another verse. After a ragged but right beginning, "Evidence" becomes transcendental with Griffin, Monk, Malik, and Haynes -- who is frenetically brilliant throughout -- diving into solos which envelop the melody and ultimately expand the unique patterns and motivations.

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Track listing

Side A
"Light Blue" - 5:14
"Coming on the Hudson" - 5:24
"Rhythm-A-Ning" - 9:25
"Epistrophy (Theme)" - 1:05

Side B
"Blue Monk" - 8:31
"Evidence" - 8:48
"Epistrophy (Theme)" - 1:05

Personnel

Thelonious Monk — piano
Johnny Griffin — tenor saxophone
Ahmed Abdul-Malik — bass
Roy Haynes — drums
Orrin Keepnews - producer
Ray Fowler - engineer

Personal Note

With my vinyl rips I try to catch the whole beauty of records. Therefore I don't use any post-processing or any sound improver. What you get is a clear and flat transfer.
For getting a clear sound I'll do an extended washing of each record with my RCM, which can take up to 30 minutes brushing for each side. Resistant ticks and clicks I try to remove as good as possible, but the priority is not to loose any musical information.
Surface noises, as long they are not to high, are left in place. Only on bad pressings or on records recorded with extremly low level I do a fade in-/-out. As John Peel said, 'Life is full of surface noises'.
In some cases this means I have to do a compromise... The result has to pass my personal quality criteria which is IMO quite high.

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