[3][4] Two Thelonious Monk Quartet concerts, featuring John Coltrane and backed by a rhythm section of bassist Ahmed Abdul-Malik and drummers Shadow Wilson or Roy Haynes, have also been released on Blue Note: one recorded on November 29, 1957 at Carnegie Hall (with Shadow Wilson), the other on September 11, 1958 at the Five Spot Café (with Roy Haynes).

In 1989, Blue Note reissued the studio recordings on CD as Genius of Modern Music, Vols.

AllMusic's Scott Yanow said:This magnificent limited-edition set launched the Mosaic label in real style....

Since these were Monk's first opportunities to lead his own recording dates, this set includes the original versions of such classics as "Ruby, My Dear," "Well You Needn't," "Off Minor," "In Walked Bud," "Evidence," "Criss Cross" and "Straight No Chaser" along with Monk's first chance to record "'Round Midnight" and "Epistrophy."

The sidemen include such notables as trumpeters Kenny Dorham and Idrees Sulieman, drummers Art Blakey and Max Roach, vibraphonist Milt Jackson, altoist Lou Donaldson and tenor-saxophonist Lucky Thompson, but it is the unique pianist/composer who is the main star.