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Data as of Oct 18, 2026
Thelonious Monk – The Man I Love
1974 · Spain · Black Lion Records · Vinyl LP Album Reissue
Offers · 1
- €10ref VA-WTT8FMedia VG+ · Very Good PlusSleeve VG+🇪🇸 Ships from Spain
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Pressing identification
Match these against your copy to confirm the exact pressing.
- Rights society
- SGAE
- Depósito Legal
- B.10699-1974
- Record Company
- Discophon, S.A.
- Manufactured By
- Discophon, S.A.
- Printed By
- LIM (2)
- Recorded At
- Chappell Recording Studios
Specifications
- Artist
- Thelonious Monk
- Genre
- Jazz
- Style
- Bop, Hard Bop
- Year
- 1974
- Label
- Black Lion Records, Discophon
- Catalog number
- (S) 4255
- Country
- Spain
Tracklist
- A1I Mean You 7:47
- A2The Man I Love 5:14
- A3Ruby My Dear 6:07
- B1Little Rootie Tootie 3:50
- B2Misterioso 6:23
- B3Trinkle Tinkle 5:54
- B4Crepescule With Nellie 2:20
- Producer
- Alan Bates
- Engineer
- John Timperley
- Photography By
- David Redfern
About this record
This 1974 Spanish reissue pairs Black Lion Records and Discophon on catalogue (S) 4255, pressed at Discophon, S.A. in Madrid. Demand outpaces supply: 13 collectors want it against 11 who own one, making this a scarcer find than the original Discophon pressing that shares the same matrix root.
What drives its value
The price spread on this reissue reflects its scarcity in the secondary market. With only 11 copies tracked in the collector community against 13 active want-lists, this pressing commands attention from Monk specialists hunting the European catalogue variants.
The dual-label imprint (Black Lion and Discophon) distinguishes it from the earlier J-4255 pressing, which carried Discophon alone. Reissues of Monk's catalogue from this era—particularly those pressed outside the US—tend to hold value when condition is strong, because original pressings are harder to source intact.
The 1974 date places this squarely in the post-Monk era, when European labels were reissuing his back catalogue for the continental market. Collectors pursuing a complete Discophon run will find this variant essential, even if the underlying recording is identical to earlier issues.
How to appraise this pressing
Confirm this pressing by the catalogue number (S) 4255 printed on the spine and label; the parenthetical S denotes the stereo designation. The pressing plant credit should read Discophon, S.A., typically stamped in the dead wax or lower label rim.
The dual-label credit—both Black Lion Records and Discophon—appears on the label face and distinguishes this from the earlier J-4255variant. The album contains 7 tracks across a single LP.
Check the label stock: Spanish Discophon pressings from 1974 often feature a distinctive glossy label finish and specific typeface that differs from concurrent US or UK pressings. The absence of a barcode confirms the pre-UPC era of this pressing.
Grade by examining the vinyl surface under light for hairline scratches and the label for foxing or ring-wear; reissues of this age frequently show signs of storage in humid European warehouses.
Further reading: grading a record, how to sell vinyl.
Listen
Hear the album before you buy.
Official videos via YouTube.
Other pressings of this release
Different editions of the same album — pressing decides value.
Frequently asked
How does this 1974 reissue differ from the original Discophon J-4255 pressing?
The catalogue number shift from J-4255 to (S) 4255 and the addition of Black Lion Records as co-label indicate a separate pressing run, likely for wider European distribution. Both were pressed at Discophon, S.A., but the (S) designation and dual-label format suggest this 1974 version was intended for a broader market than the earlier J-4255 release.
Why is demand higher than supply for this pressing?
With 13 collectors wanting it and only 11 on record as owning a copy, this pressing is underrepresented in the active collector base. European reissues of Monk's catalogue from the 1970s are often overlooked in favor of original US releases, making this variant harder to locate when sought.
What should I look for to verify I have the correct pressing?
Check the label for the catalogue number (S) 4255 and confirm both Black Lion Records and Discophon are credited. The pressing plant credit should read Discophon, S.A. The absence of a barcode is consistent with 1974 pressing practices. The dead wax may carry additional plant codes; compare against documented runouts for this specific variant.
Is this a stereo or mono pressing?
The (S) prefix in the catalogue number (S) 4255 denotes stereo. Mono versions, if they exist, would carry a different catalogue designation and are not documented in this pressing variant.
Why would a collector choose this Spanish reissue over other Monk pressings?
Collectors pursuing a complete European catalogue run or those seeking Discophon variants specifically will prioritize this pressing. Its scarcity relative to demand and its dual-label imprint make it a notable addition to a comprehensive Monk discography. The 1974 date also appeals to those focused on post-1970 reissue archaeology.