Thelonious Monk was a little-known figure on the New York City bebop scene when Blue Note founder Alfred Lion discovered and fell in love with the pianists utterly unique music and offered Monk his first opportunity to record as a leader. Over four sessions recorded in 1947 and 1948, Blue Note documented Monk in trio, quartet, quintet, and sextet settings performing his singular compositions including Round Midnight, Ruby My Dear, Epistrophy, Well You Neednt, and Thelonious, and released the 10 LP Genius of Modern Music. In 1956, Blue Note transitioned to the 12 LP and began the fabled 1500 Series which included the expanded Genius of Modern Music, Volume One (BLP 1510) featuring one of Reid Miles earliest cover designs for the label.

This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is mono, all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.