Thelonious Monk Lost Album Les liaisons dangereuses 1960 Announced

In 1959, Thelonious Monk recorded the soundtrack for the French film Les liaisons dangereuses. The film is now out-of-print, and Monk’s music from the film has never been officially released. This year, nearly 60 years later, the soundtrack will arrive. Les liasons dangereuses 1960 is coming out on Record Store Day (April 22) via Resonance, WBGO reports. The sessions feature bassist Sam Jones, drummer Art Taylor, and tenor saxophonists Charlie Rouse and Barney Wilen. The double LP box set includes a booklet with essays, never-before-seen photographs, and more. Hear an excerpt from the soundtrack, “Rhythm-a-Ning,” here. Find a clip from the film featuring Monk’s music here. Find the tracklist and artwork here.

Interestingly, the film also featured a scene soundtracked by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. Blakey’s music from the film was released in 1960. That LP featured none of Monk’s contributions to the film.

Read Pitchfork’s recent Sunday Review for Monk’s Music and the feature “Thelonious Monk: So Plain Only the Deaf Can Hear.”

Here’s footage of Monk performing “Rhythm-a-Ning”:

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