Charles Mingus Music

An intersting release documenting the rapidly-evolving Mingus of the 1950s, this CD contains material from small group sessions recorded in 1954 and 1955. If you're familiar with the recordings "Jazz Experiments of..." on Bethlehem or some of the later Debut material, you'll have an idea what this sounds like... post-bop-oriented jazz with the originality that Mingus always brings to the table.

Tracks 1-4 and 9 & 10 are from a Mingus-led session including John LaPorta on reeds, Teo Macero on tenor and bari sax, Mal Waldron piano, and Rudy Nichols, drums. "Tea for Two" is one of those curious hybrid experiements, combining the title tune with elements of "Body and Soul" and "Perdido" (and perhaps others?) to form an exciting new multi-layered creation. "Eulogy for Rudy Williams" is a curious, moody tone poem that looks ahead to Mingus' later works, and the previously unissued bonus track "Body and Soul" is very lovely and romantic.

Tracks 5-8 were composed and led by pianist Wally Cirillo and are more traditional in structure with light and swinging piano work and intersting solos from Mingus. Other players here are Teo on tenor and Kenny Clarke, drums.

Overall, another piece of the puzzle that is Mingus, documenting an interesting and fertile developmental period that laid the groundwork for the incredible achievements that followed.

I don't know what the last listener is talking about. Jazzical Moods (at least the version on on Amazon) has the same track listing as this release and I prefer the cover design of this CD to that of the later.

The sticker on the cover of this CD proclaims "First time EVER available on CD!" but that's not quite true. Originally released in 1954 on two ten-inch LPs as "Jazzical Moods" volumes 1 and 2, these tracks (plus one that doesn't appear on "Jazz Experiments") were previously released on CD under the original title by Fantasy/OJC in 1995.

This "Jazz Experiments" CD actually duplicates a Bethlehem 12-inch LP reissue of the material. Presumably one selection was omitted due to the limitations of the LP format.

The earlier OJC version (which is still available), besides containing all of the music, also includes Charles Mingus's complete original liner notes, which are severely edited in the "Jazz Experiments" booklet.

The music is faultless, but fans will prefer the earlier, complete issue. Also, those who own the OJC should be warned that they already have everything on this disc, and more.