His comeback, forty years after Histoire De Melody Nelson, with the same signature mix — Axelrod-style orchestral sensibility and stoner funk-rock framing his own louche vocals, and poeticised and punning verses.

Outstanding roots from 1979, produced by Prince Hammer. Tough dub. too.

The great roots singer totally bossing this killer piece of late-eighties digi Lovers.
Like the Singing Melody excursion on the same stone-classic I Won’t Give Up rhythm, this is previously unreleased.

The complete Columbia solo studio recordings, 1962-1968.

Monked standards, with Pettiford and Blakey.

Apt title — this is sparkling, angular music, with Roach and Rollins on top form throughout.

Terrific 1963 date with Charlie Rouse, John Ore and Frankie Dunlop.
Originals and standards; nothing Monk hadn’t recorded before. Bubbling, chewy versions of Hackensack and Rhythm-A-Ning; a fabulous, seven-minute, solo Don’t Blame Me.
As Baroness Nica notes poshly on the sleeve, ‘this is the happiest of albums, leaving one with an extraordinary feeling of elation.’

With Charlie Rouse (tenor sax), Larry Gales (bass), Ben Riley (drums). And Jon Hendricks with a great vocal version of In Walked Bud.

From 1961, featuring Charlie Rouse… though the stand-out is Just A Gigolo, by Monk solo.