J.R. Monterose had what it took be one of the giants of the tenor-sax. His sound was inspired by Sonny Rollins and Coleman Hawkins, he played with consistent intensity, and he prospered musically during an association with Charles Mingus. While he did not become a major name, his Blue Note debut in 1956 shows that he was one of the greats.

Joined by Horace Silver and Ira Sullivan, Monterose's playing is full of surprises, advanced ideas and his own approach to playing hard bop. There was no warming up period for Monterose for he was already in prime form, challenging his sidemen and expressing himself in his own voice. Although he was active into the 1980s this, his first album as a leader, is J.R. Monterose's finest recording and a brilliant set just waiting to be discovered.

Like all Music Matters Jazz releases, this audiophile vinyl reissue is mastered from the original analog tape and pressed on 180g virgin vinyl at RTI in Camarillo, CA. The highest quality gatefold cover features original session photography on the inside.

See more J.R. Monterose records here.