Thelonious Monk didn't record any trio sides during the early years of his career other than the ones presented on this LP, which were taped in 1952 and 1954 (with the exception of an October 24, 1947 Blue Note date). These were Monks first recorded versions of all of the compositions presented here. Considering the lack of recording opportunities, however, it cant be assumed that he composed them all strictly for the 1952-1954 sessions. Some of them had been written many years earlier, as Monk is known to have already composed many of his tunes by 1944. Other than the pianists original compositions, the trio also cut two standards, These Foolish Things and Sweet and Lovely. Just a Gigolo was the only unaccompanied piano performance of the sessions.
