 Its track listing expands on the 10" LP issue "Thelonious" (1953), augmented with two tracks from his fourth 10" LP, "Thelonious Monk Plays (with Percy Heath and Art Blakey)", released in 1954.According to Sputnikmusic writer Alex Robertson, "Thelonious Monk Trio" was originally released in 1954 as Monk's first proper studio album.It follows the release of his two "Genius of Modern Music" compilations—the first volume in 1951 and the in 1952.