This is the (1960) US 1st mono issue on Blue Note BLP 4029 titled “The Big Beat”. "The Big Beat" is another classic jazz album / solid hard bop release on the Blue Note label from Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. Released in 1960, this time around the band features Lee Morgan, Wayne Shorter, Bobby Timmons, and Jymie Merritt. The album is the first by the Jazz Messengers to feature Shorter as its main composer. Lee Morgan and Wayne Shorter perform by courtesy of Vee Jay Records, and Bobby Timmons performs by courtesy of Riverside Records. This 1st original Mono issue has: - blue/white deep groove Blue Note Records INC - 47 West 63rd - NYC labels, - RVG stamped in the dead wax, both sides, - "P" ("ear") on both sides : appears uncomplete - front laminated jacket, - no address on back cover Matrix / Runout (Runout side A): BN-LP-4029 A 𝓅 RVG / Matrix / Runout (Runout side B): BN-LP-4029 B 𝓅 RVG / Pressing Plant ID (Side A & B "Plastylite" Cursive Etching): 𝓅 I rate the quality of both vinyl and cover of this album as “Excellent”. Despite several hairlines, which are visible under bright light, the vinyl has a very dynamic deep sound – warm and overwhelming from the first piano strokes onwards. There is only very minor noise in the quiet grooves, which noise is completely gone when the rich sound takes over. The laminated cover is (close to) NM, apart from minor wear of the laminate on the right side of the front cover (see photo), the spine is perfect, all in all super condition for a 64 years old album. The bright blue/white labels are completely clean, apart from some hardly noticeable scribbled letters on the label of side 2 (see photo). Most of this album version offers on Discogs are not in the excellent condition that this is in.