Monk's "Straight, No Chaser" is a classic in its own right. It's the last album the talented pianist and composer recorded with his quartet consisting of Larry Gales on bass, Ben Riley on drums and his musical soul mate Charlie Rouse on tenor sax. It includes a light yet mature version of one of his standards; "Straight, No Chaser" is 'one idea played again and again, each time in a different part of the measure and with a different ending', and highlights some stellar action between Monk and Rouse.

"In addition to the quartet sides, Straight, No Chaser contains two unaccompanied piano solos."
All Music