When the word genius gets tossed around in jazz circles a name that will arguably be included on everyone's list is Thelonious Monk. A true original and pioneer whose music sounds new over 60 years after he played his first note as a leader, Monk was one of the architects of modern jazz aka bebop. In fact Monk�s sound and approach on piano� which combined dissonant harmonies and choppy, angular rhythms � was so startlingly unique that it wasn�t until years after he was on the New York scene that the forward-thinking founders of Blue Note recorded his aptly titled debut �€�The Genius of Modern Music�€� in 1947. Thelonious expressed himself with originality in every aspect of his life and this was displayed in the way he spoke and dressed which often included a �€�bebop uniform�€� of beret, horn-rimmed glasses and ascot. The eccentricity which initially frightened many also was responsible for Monk�s rise into mainstream culture in 1960s when he became only the third jazz musician in history to grace the cover of Time magazine. Monk�s compositions were equally as deep, distinctive and humorous as his piano playing and this collection features seven of his greatest songs. From the �€�Genius Vol 1 & 2�€� sessions we find the rollicking �€�Well You Needn�t�€�, blues-soaked �€�Straight No Chaser�€�, boppy �€�In Walked Bud�€�, winding �€�Epistrophy�€� and the first recording of Monk�s most famous composition, the haunting ballad �€�Round Midnight�€�. �€�Relections�€� and �€�Misterioso�€� are from one of Monks rare recorded appearances as a sideman on saxophone colossus Sonny Rollins� date for Blue Note in 1957.