This curiosity features two of the most underappreciated jazz thinkers of the modern era--soprano saxophonist Steve Lacy and trumpeter Don Cherry (Carl Brown on bass and Billy Higgins on drums round out the quartet). Though both men are known for their more exploratory moments, Evidence, recorded in 1960, is a decidedly restrained affair. With the exception of Duke Ellington's "The Mystery Song" and Billy Strayhorn's "Something to Live For", the program here is composed entirely of Thelonious Monk material. While Lacy's work with Monk is well known, adding Cherry's judiciously round tone painting as counterpoint to Lacy's stabbing melodies gives this disc a finished quality that fans of either horn player will appreciate. Monk fanatics, of course, will devour this. --S. Duda