Thelonious Monk - Les Liaisons Dangereuses 1960

The Guardian 100

(Saga)

Recorded to accompany Roger Vadim’s film adaptation of the 18th-century novel, this music has not been heard in more than half a century, except at rare screenings. It’s typical Monk – angular, mercurial, introspective – played by his regular quartet of the time, plus French saxophonist Barney Wilen. When I saw the film, many years ago, I thought the whole story seemed touched by a strange, Monkish ambivalence. This time, I was simply overjoyed to encounter a long-lost example of the great man at his very best. And what better time for it to come to light than in his centenary year?