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Review: Thelonious Monk's iconic performance at the Newport festival in 1963 showcased the brilliance of the 'High Priest of Bop' and his esteemed quartet. The lineup included the exceptional Charlie Rouse on tenor saxophone, Butch Warren on bass, and Frankie Dunlop on drums, marking a historic moment in jazz history. Monk's innovative compositions and the quartet's masterful execution captivated the audience, leaving an indelible mark on the festival's legacy. With Monk's pioneering spirit leading the way, the Newport performance remains a cherished milestone that highlights the genius of one of jazz's most legendary figures.

Review: Lush Life is a seminal recording amongst many from the late great and legendary John Coltrane. It came at a time when his sound was transitioning between styles and after he had overcome his addiction to narcotics. He had first played with the Miles Davis Quintet in 1955 before starting his own quartet with McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison, and Elvin Jones in 1960 and this one was made from three different recording sessions. Side A is by a trio setup with no piano while the flip is a quintet with Donald Byrd and Red Garland showing their skills. Devoid of the speedy, flashy solo skills he'd been known for in his early career, this is almost ambient, much more about the lush textures and meditational pace than be bop ever was.

Review: The irrepressible and unmatchable John Coltrane showed once again what a true stylist he was on this Soultrane album. It takes him well away from the ordinary jazz world, much like earlier albums Coltrane and John Coltrane and the Red Garland Trio, with rhythm section men Garland, Paul Chambers and Arthur Taylor proving themselves to be perfectly adept at powering along Trane's innovations. At this point he was already thought of alongside the likes of Sonny Rollins as one of the most influential tenor sax men in the game and that view hasn't changed all these years on.