Despite various reissue formats over several decades, the seven original LPs contained in Thelonious Monk — The Riverside Tenor Sessions stood perfectly well on their own at the time of initial release and remain among the highest achievements of a truly golden age. Recorded and released between 1956 and 1961, these seven Monk combo albums were critical in Monk’s emergence from a decade of ridicule and neglect to his status at the pinnacle of the jazz pantheon.

Monk’s third Riverside album, Brilliant Corners — the first to include horns and emphasize his original compositions — is recognized as the first major step in his rise from being considered a mere eccentric to rightful acceptance as a true jazz giant.

Released in 1957, this masterpiece stands as a testament to Monk’s genius as a composer, pianist, and bandleader. With its complex harmonies, angular melodies, and unpredictable rhythms, “Brilliant Corners” defies convention and challenges the listener to explore new sonic territories.

Original compositions recorded here in multiple 1956 sessions, represent Monk at his most inventive and most challenging. “Brilliant Corners” with its uneven meter and its tempo changes, is undoubtedly the real back-breaker, but this doesn’t mean that the others are simple: “Pannonica” is a near-ballad with guts; “Ba-lue Bolivar Ba-luse-are,” has lots of extended blowing room (and don’t neglect to dig several things Monk is doing behind the horns); and “Bemsha Swing,” is only one of the four originals not specifically prepared for this record date. Monk recorded it twice previously, but comparison shows that it hasn’t remained static during that time. Each track offers a glimpse into Monk’s singular musical vision.

It took real stars to master some of Monk’s most difficult and brilliant music and Brilliant Corners is backed by an all-star ensemble featuring the likes of Sonny Rollins, Max Roach, Oscar Pettiford, Ernie Henry, Paul Chambers and Clark Terry.

In addition to some of his best recorded piano performances and more than two dozen of his profoundly personal compositions, the albums in this reissue series provide an overview of the era’s major tenor saxophonists, with contributions by Sonny Rollins, Coleman Hawkins, John Coltrane, Johnny Griffin, Charlie Rouse and Harold Land. Max Roach, Art Blakely, Roy Haynes and Thad Jones are among the other jazz immortals featured on the essential Brilliant Corners, Monk’s Music: Thelonious Monk Septet, Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane, Thelonious in Action, Misterioso, 5 by Monk by 5 and Quartet Plus Two At The Blackhawk.