Jimmy Halperin : tenor / soprano saxophones (KATDOM BMI) | Dominic Duval : bass (KATDOM BMI)

Tracklist :1. Brilliant Corners (5’38) 2. Off Minor (3’50) 3. Epistrophy (7’08) 4. Monk’s Dream (7’34) 5. Trinkle, Tinkle (4’28) 6. Evidence (5’18) 7. Bye-Ya (4’38) 8. Criss Cross (4’07) 9. Blue Monk (4’44) 10. Ruby, My Dear (6’09) 11. Brilliant Corners (alternative track 5’38)

All Compositions by Thelonious Monk, arranged by Dominic Duval and Jimmy Halperin. This record has been made possible by generous support of UAB “Vanvita” and UAB “Garsu pasaulis”. Great thanks to them. NoBusiness Records NBCD 2, 2009, edition of 1000 cd’s

Recorded (12/05/2005) and mixed by Marc Grenne (“Green Vynil”) * Mastered by Arunas Zujus at MAMA studios * Photos by Susan O’Connor, Guelph Ontario and Marc Grenne * Painting by Ron Scherwin * Design by Oskaras Anosovas * Executive producer – Danas Mikailionis * Co-producer – Valerij Anosov

Monk Dreams is a new reincarnation of Monk’s tunes arranged and performed by bassist Dominic Duval and saxophonist Jimmy Halperin. Music club Thelonious is happy to present this absolutely “must have” recording. Following “Monkinus” released by CIMP in 2007 the duo once again dives into Monk’s music to reach extreme depths. Additionally for our music club this is a signature release.

Recorded at about the same time as “Monkinus”

the album by the same duo released on CIMP, the album is as good without adding too much. “Blue Monk”, “Brilliant Corners”, “Ruby, My Dear”, “Epistrophy”, “Criss Cross”, “Evidence”, “Monk’s Dream”, “Bye-ya”, “Off Minor” figure on both albums. The only additional track you get is “Trinkle Tinkle”. Yet never mind. If you don’t know or don’t have “Monkinus”, this one is as good, with a sound quality which is even better. Halperin’s tenor soars, sings, dances and plays around all these well-known tunes by Thelonious Monk, and both musicians really enjoy what they do. Duval’s bass is excellent as usual, playing the themes in unison with the tenor, then fixing the rhythm like clockwork. Without piano, and without drums, Monk’s music is reduced to its bare essence, but certainly not the poorer for it. Halperin improvises beautifully, with a strong emotional component, unleashing the blues in Monk’s music, while maintaining the inherent playfulness of the compositions. The performance is excellent. A really nice album. — Stef

CD version (incl. shipment cost world-wide)