薩克斯風手蒙特羅斯出生於 1927 年，他的名字中的 J. R. 其實是二世的改寫，他原名是法蘭克蒙特羅斯二世。13 歲開始學黑管的他，薩克斯風全靠自學起家，早期他的吹奏風格受柯曼霍金斯影響，也受鋼琴手巴德鮑威爾啟發，並在 1951 年加入巴迪瑞奇的大樂團，並在五零年代後期來到紐約，先後與查爾士明格斯和肯尼多罕合作，感受到當地咆勃時代的氛圍。也就是在多罕身上，讓他找到了效法的對象，視其為他畢生最景仰的偉大樂隊領班和樂手。這張同名專輯就是他在同時期的處女作，完成於 1956 年。之後他又在 1959 年完成「The Message」專輯，同列為他畢生的傑作。可惜日後他轉往美國小鄉鎮發展，並在六零年代後期開始到比利時和荷蘭等地長期居留，離開美國主流樂壇非常久，且沒有再和大型唱片公司合作，也讓他被後世的爵士樂迷嚴重的遺忘。即使蒙特羅斯自己也認為他算是地下樂手，但是在同行、樂評和爵士樂迷心目中，他卻是經典爵士的最高表徵，因為他從那個受到桑尼羅林斯、約翰柯川強烈影響的時代出走，卻能夠維持強烈的個人風格，也難怪他會被稱為「你從未聽過的最佳次高音薩克斯風手」。這張專輯的特色主要是搖擺樂、咆勃樂，其中可以嗅到桑尼羅林斯和柯曼霍金斯的風格，在明星級樂手霍里斯席佛、菲利喬瓊斯等人的護航下，這張專輯被樂評視為五零年代中期最被低估的爵士精品。

Classic Records Blue Note MONO 200gm Quiex SV-P

J.R. Monterose's first session as a leader was a thoroughly enjoyable set of swinging, straight-ahead bop that revealed him as a saxophonist with a knack for powerful, robust leads in the vein of Sonny Rollins and Coleman Hawkins. With a stellar supporting group of pianist Horace Silver, trumpeter Ira Sullivan, bassist Wilbur Ware, and drummer "Philly" Joe Jones, Monterose has recorded a set of bop that swings at a measured pace and offers many delightful moments. Throughout the session, Monterose sounds vigorous, whether he's delivering hard-swinging solos or waxing lyrical. With his bluesy vamps and soulful solos, Silver is equally impressive, while Sullivan's spotlights are alternately punchy and skilled; similarly, the rhythm section is tight, letting the music breathe while keeping the groove. In fact, the quality of the music is so strong, J.R. Monterose qualifies as o­ne of the underappreciated gems in Blue Note's mid-'50s catalog. < Stephen Thomas Erlewine

This is the third in the Classic Blue Note Signature Series and along with BLP 1568, and 1590 is o­ne of the most highly sought after titles from the Blue Note catalog. Transferred from the pristine original Mono master using a vintage mono tape head and cut o­n an all tube mono cutting system by "Mr Bebop" Bernie Grundman, this 200g no groove guard deep groove Quiex SV-P pressing does everything but blow smoke into the room. If you have a choice between buying this record and a good meal - go hungry! Not to be overlooked.

曲目：

1.WEE-JAY
2.THE THIRD
3.BOBBIE PIN
4.MARC V
5.KA-LINK
6.BEAUTEOUS