THELONIOUS MONK

The London Collection, Volume 1

SEALED limited edition 180 gram ORANGE Vinyl LP. Black Lion/ORG Music ORGM 1052. Stereo, limited edition remastered reissue. COVER & VINYL: MINT still sealed, never played, pressed on ORANGE vinyl.

THELONIOUS MONK (solo piano)

Barnes & Noble exclusive.

Limited edition clear orange color vinyl. Mastered from original analog tapes.

History unveiled: 1971 solo mastery from Thelonious Monk chronicles the pianist's final full-scale recording sessions as a leader

Tantalizing audiophile restoration series resurrects U.K. label Black Lion. Mastered at Bernie Grundman Studios by Chris Bellman and pressed at Pallas

EQ notes and curation performed by iconic engineer Steve Hoffman; LPs EQ'd and set up by Bernie Grundman

Conceived, designed, and manufactured for collectors and enthusiasts: Vinyl jacket features exclusive art

What if you could be a fly on the wall at Thelonious Monk’s final recording sessions as leader? You can. Offering tremendous late-period performances, The London Collection Vol. 1 is nothing but Monk, solo, unaccompanied, unadorned, and unrestrained. Alternating between established originals and familiar classics, the pianist weaves magic spells on the 88s, savoring pauses between notes, the decay of chords, and a fluid style that feels more welcome than some of his angular playing.

Originally released by the U.K. label Black Lion, an imprint that specialized in resurrecting rare gems from U.S. jazz and blues legends, The London Collection Vol. 1 marks what are indisputably Monk’s final significant contributions and a can’t-miss opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts to get closer to the man and his music. Orchestrated by ORG, this historical reissue is afforded the ultimate in audiophile production standards, resulting in sonics and presentation befitting the museum-like worth of this record’s existence.

Mastered from the original master tapes at Bernie Grundman Studios by Chris Bellman and pressed on clear orange vinyl at Pallas, the 180-gram LP was curated by legendary engineer Steve Hoffman and eq’d by Grundman himself. A better team you cannot find; every step involved serious quality-control measures to guarantee gorgeous sound. The superb vinyl jacket features exclusive artwork. Indeed, this is what being a collector is all about. The title may not be widely known to most, but this reissue preserves vital music that will be enjoyed by generations to come. Consider it a buried treasure that, miraculously, has resurfaced in better condition than that when it was originally made.

A1 Trinkle Tinkle 7:26 A2 Crepuscule With Nellie 2:20 A3 Darn That Dream 5:45 A4 Little Rootie Tootie 3:42 A5 Meet Me Tonight In Dreamland 3:12 B1 Nice Work If You Can Get It 5:10 B2 My Melancholy Baby 5:12 B3 Jackieing 3:25 B4 Loverman 7:13 B5 Blue Sphere 2:22

***FACTORY SEALED***NEVER PLAYED***

 

PLEASE READ BEFORE PURCHASING: WE ACCEPT PAYPAL ONLY *** PLEASE WAIT FOR AN INVOICE IF YOU ARE BUYING MORE THAN ONE ITEM AT A TIME. ANY MULTIPLE ITEMS PAID FOR SEPARATELY (INSTEAD OF GROUPED TOGETHER AND PAID FOR ON ONE INVOICE FOR COMBINED SHIPPING DISCOUNT) WILL BE SHIPPED IN SEPARATE PACKAGES. NO EXCEPTIONS. NO REFUNDS! OUR SHIPPING COSTS INCLUDE COST FOR PACKAGING, TRANSPORTATION, AND FREIGHT. We can NOT bear responsibility for packages lost or damaged by the Postal System.  If you do not agree with this Please DO NOT purchase or bid! GRADING. Grading is visual only unless otherwise stated. I go by Goldmine standards and try to be conservative. I will play grade on certain items only - it is just impossible for me to play grade everything I put on EBAY.
RECORD GRADING:

MINT (M) ---- It should be SEALED and appear to be brand new. Mint means STILL SEALED, NEVER PLAYED. NEAR MINT (NM or NM-) ---- OPENED or UNSEALED. Otherwise mint but has one or two tiny inconsequential flaws that do not affect play. Covers should be close to perfect with minor signs of wear or age just becoming evident.
VERY GOOD PLUS (VG++ or strong VG++ or VG+++) The record or cover that all but the most particular collector would say looks outstanding. Cover may have insignificant manufacturers defect such as notch hole or cut corner.
VERY GOOD PLUS (VG+ or strong VG+) The record has been handled and played infrequently or very carefully.  On a disc, there may be light paper scuffs from sliding in and out of a sleeve or the vinyl or some of the original luster may be lost. A slight scratch that did not affect play would be acceptable  for most collectors.  Cover has most of its original gloss and has been well taken care of.  Minor seam splits may be acceptable.
VERY GOOD (VG or strong VG) ---- Record displays visible signs of handling and playing, such as loss of vinyl luster, light surface scratches, groove wear and spindle trails. Some audible surface noise, non-feelable marks that might or will affect the sound as mild occasional surface noise or periodic pops/clicks. Usually a cover is VG when one or more of these problems are evident: ring wear, seam splits, bent corners, loss of gloss, stains, etc.
VERY GOOD- (VG- or G+) Record will show signs same as VG with heavier wear including noticeable groove wear and feelable marks that will likely pop or click.  Popping or clicking will be most evident through quieter passages.  Record should play all the way through, but may skip.
GOOD (G) ---- Well played with little luster and significant surface noise. Despite defects, record should still play all the way through without skipping, but may skip. Several cover flaws will be apparent, but should not obliterate the artwork.  Filler copy until a better one can be found.
POOR (P) ---- Any record or cover that does not qualify for the above "Good" grading should be seen as Poor. Only the rarest of records should ever be graded as Poor while the others should go to the trash heap.

DISCLAIMER. Due to the number of frivolous returns which were unwarranted, and due to the nature of sound recorded products that can be easily copied, there will no longer be a free return policy. I will charge a $10.00 return fee for all returns - this amount will be deducted from the Paypal refund of the returned item. If item is truly defective the entire purchase amount will be refunded as long as the item is in the same condition as it was sent.  ***BUYER PAYS FOR ALL RETURN SHIPPING FEES.***                                                                                     ATTENTION!! INTERNATIONAL BUYERS: USPS has done away with Surface and Air mail. Replaced with First Class International (FCI) which is supposed to be Air Mail.  Also, FCI cannot be tracked.  Bidders must agree to take full responsibility if they select FCI. We can NOT bear responsibility for packages lost or damaged by the Postal System.  If you do not agree with this Please DO NOT purchase or bid! If you want protection it is available using Priority Mail. Any package over 4 pounds (4 or more LPs) it is automatically sent Priority.  Please wait for an invoice when purchasing 4 or more LPs so that we may get an exact shipping quote from the Post Office. Media and Priority still in effect in US..                                                                                                          SHIPPING FEES (USA only): US MEDIA MAIL (USA customers only):$ 6.00 (LP) plus $1.00 per each additional LP purchased: US PRIORITY MAIL (USA customers only): $15.00 (LP) plus $1.00 per each additional LP purchased.     INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING ONLY...........................................   CANADA ONLY (USPS First Class Mail International): $24.00 (LP) plus $4.00 per additional LP.  FIRST CLASS MAIL INTERNATIONAL: (All non-USA overseas buyers) $29.00 (LP) plus $8.00 per each additional item purchased. PRIORITY MAIL INTERNATIONAL: $50.00 (LP) plus $8.00 per each additional item purchased. This shipping method will be used when shipping weight exceeds 4 pounds (4 or more LP records). All other combinations are actual weight and can only be provided after packing. ***SHIPPING & HANDLING COSTS ARE INCLUDED IN THESE PRICES.  NOTE: I combine shipping! So buy more and save on shipping!!      WE ACCEPT PAYPAL ONLY!