This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is mono, all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal. - Thelonious Monk was a little-known figure on the New York City bebop scene when Blue Note founder Alfred Lion discovered and fell in love with the pianist's utterly unique music and offered Monk his first opportunity to record as a leader in 1947. Over the next five years Lion recorded Monk in a variety of different settings performing his singular compositions. In 1956, Blue Note transitioned from the 10" to the 12" LP and began the 1500 Series releasing two expanded Monk compilations including Genius of Modern Music, Vol. 2 (BLP 1511) which presented classic Monk tunes like "Straight No Chaser," "Four in One," and "Monk's Mood" and featured one of Reid Miles' earliest cover designs for the label.