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February 29, 1984

Classical Monk, Meredith: "Turtle Dreams." (ECM 1-23792) -- Another stage in Monk's quest to discover everything the human voice can do. In the long "Turtle Dreams (Waltz)," an organ ostinato sets the mood for a dreamish adventure with half-articulated words and glorious vocal glissandi, among other surprises. The flip side is still more varied, if less imposing. In the unpredictable "View 1," a gently percussive piano and childlike chanting give way to a bullying electronic phrase; the gossamer quality is recaptured in "View 2" and childlike simplicity also reigns in "Ester's Song." In all, the most consistently engaging Monk record to date, and more amiable than the offbeat cabaret show that featured much of this music and provided the jacket photos of the star and her entourage.