Shuffle Boil

Shuffle Boil - Composed by Thelonious Monk, recorded in Hackensack at the Van Gelder Studio in October, 1955 and first issued by Signal Records (Savoy) as the year closed, Shuffle Boil is on side two of a Gigi (George General, Jr.) Gryce recording that features the Gigi Gryce Orchestra on its first side, and the Gryce Quartet - unmistakably showcasing Monk - on its second. Along with Shuffle Boil, the Quartet features two other Monk compositions - Brake's Sake and Gallop's Gallop - but closes with Gryce's Nica's Tempo. Shuffle Boil has a contagious playfulness and bounce that pours out of the swinging bass intro's leaping b7th intervals (Gb-Ab, F-G). The simplicity of the melody on the surface only adds to this feeling and creates a delightfully lighter mood for the piece.