Record Reviews

CHARLES MINGUS ~ MINGUS AH UM (50TH ANNIVERSARY LEGACY EDITION) COLUMBIA 48010 (Barcode: 886974801023) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1959 Released: 2009 Of all American Jazz Masters, the figure of bassist / bandleader / composer Charles MingusFind albums by this artist is surely the most enigmatic, misunderstood and misinterpreted up to this day. Very few people truly understand his revolutionary approach to music in general and Jazz in particular, his ability to free himself and his closely knit circle of musicians from generations of both musical and racial prejudice, both of which can be tragically blind and bitter. Mingus was a musical universe by himself – although associated with Jazz, his music encompassed many forms of music: Blues, Gospel, African Music, all genres of Jazz from Dixieland to Free and in later days even Rock and Fusion. In order to truly comprehend his music one must study and repeatedly listen to his enormous recorded legacy as well as read his words, bequeathed to us in his writings. This beautiful album takes as a step further towards the goal to discover or re-discover the man and his music, as it includes for the first time the complete ColumbiaFind albums on this label recording sessions from 1959, with producer Teo MaceroFind albums by this artist, which resulted in two albums: "Mingus Ah UmFind albums with this title" and "Mingus DynastyFind albums with this title". Both albums are included with many outtakes and alternate tracks, all beautifully remastered and sounding superbly clear and vivid. Rather than repeat myself saying how essential and superb this music is, let me just say that some of the most memorable and everlasting music written by Mingus is present here. Essential you say? I agree!

CD 2 Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend