Stardust is an often overlooked Prestige ballads album done in 1958. A Rudy Van Gelder remastered version was released in 2007. It has some of his classic band members - Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Jimmy Cobb and newcomer Freddie Hubbard. The 4 cuts are Stardust, Time After Time, Love They Neighbor, and Then I'll Be Tired of You. I like the Ballads album better, but Stardust is not far behind.
Giant Steps (recorded in 1959) is often seen as his exit from bebob. It was his first album that he wrote all the songs. It is known for its long improvisations and was his transition into his modern style.
I also like Monk and Coltrane at Carneige Hall (Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall - 1959) as a good introduction in Coltrane. It was not released originally, but was re-discovered and released in 2005. Prestine master.
