Record Reviews

GEORGE ADAMS ~ THE COMPLETE REMASTERED RECORDINGS ON BLACK SAINT & SOUL NOTE CAM JAZZ 1018 (Barcode: 8052405140616) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1979 - 1983 Released: 2012 This superb Box Set collects all the albums recorded by the legendary American flautist / saxophonist / composer George AdamsFind albums by this artist on the twin Italian independent labels: Black SaintFind albums on this label and Soul NoteFind albums on this label. The set includes five albums, three of which were recorded with the quartet he co-led with pianist Don PullenFind albums by this artist and which also included bassist Cameron BrownFind albums by this artist and drummer Dannie RichmondFind albums by this artist, and the other two were recorded with a quintet co-led with drummer Dannie Richmond and which also included trombonist Jimmy KnepperFind albums by this artist, pianist Hugh LawsonFind albums by this artist and bassist Mike RichmondFind albums by this artist. Adams is best known as a member of the Charles MingusFind albums by this artist ensembles or bands led by Gil EvansFind albums by this artist and Roy HaynesFind albums by this artist and later as a co-leader of the quartet with pianist Don Pullen. His musical interests covered a very wide range of sub-genres, from Rhythm And Blues to Free Jazz and he felt quite comfortable playing in any of them, often on the same album. His passionate performances and his occasional vocal escapades made him one of the most colorful and loved Jazz performers in the 1980s. His premature death at the age of 52 robbed the American Jazz scene of one of its most original personalities. In the late 1980s Adams was a member of the short-lived quartet called PhalanxFind albums by this artist, which also included guitarist James Blood UlmerFind albums by this artist, one of the most adventurous ensembles of that period. Remastered, mini-sleeved, and with a great bargain price – this Box Set an absolute must for any serious Jazz collector. Side Note The Italian independent record label Black SaintFind albums on this label was founded by the music critic / author / producer Giacomo PellicciottiFind albums by this artist in 1975. It was taken over by the producer Giovanni BonandriniFind albums by this artist in 1978 and a year later (1979) a sister label, called Soul NoteFind albums on this label, was established. The twin labels were run by Giovanni and later his son Flavio BonandriniFind albums by this artist, until they were sold in 2008 to the Italian KEPACH Music Group, which already owned the CAM JazzFind albums on this label label, and which also bought another Italian independent record label Dischi Della QuerciaFind albums on this label. The mission of the Black Saint / Soul Note labels was to record and document the Free Jazz / Improvised Music / Avant-Garde scene, mostly from the US but also from Europe, which continued between mid 1970s and late 1990s and produced a staggering collection of almost 550 albums recorded by world's most important Jazz innovators active at the time, providing an opportunity to American (mostly Afro-American) musicians, who would have never managed to make these recordings at home, ridden by racism, alienation and closed-mindedness. Without these two labels most of this fantastic human creativity would have been never documented. However, the Black Saint / Soul Note Box Sets produced under the CAM JazzFind albums on this label moniker are an archetypal example of how good intentions turn sour. Although these new editions often bring back to life some of the best music ever made on this planet, which in many cases has been lost in the tides of time and was unavailable on the market for ages, they suffer from an unforgivable disregard to the essence of cultural values and general sloppiness, contrary to human decency, which requires us to treat our cultural legacy with respect and loyalty. These Box Sets have no booklet which presents researched historical background and exact discographical information of the albums included, and most importantly an overview of the music and its meaning and contribution to the Jazz Art form. Although the original LP sleeves are reproduced, the information is in most cases too small to be readable at all. In short the fact that these Box Sets are meant to be inexpensive, does not mean that they have to be cheap!

Updated: 08/05/2023Posted:

CD 5 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend

CHARLES MINGUS ~ LIVE AT MONTREUX 1975 EAGLE 826992041322 (Barcode: 826992041322) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1975 Released: 2018 This is an archival 2CD album by American bassist / composer / bandleader Charles MingusFind albums by this artist, recorded live at the Montreux Jazz Festival. It presents a quintet recording on CD1, with pianist Don PullenFind albums by this artist, drummer Dannie RichmondFind albums by this artist, saxophonist / flautist / vocalist George AdamsFind albums by this artist and trumpeter Jack WalrathFind albums by this artist. On CD2 the lineup is expanded to a septet with the addition of baritone saxophonist Gerry MulliganFind albums by this artist and trumpeter Benny BaileyFind albums by this artist. The album presents five tracks, four of which last for over ten minutes and one lasts for over half an hour. It is one of the last live recordings by Mingus, before his health issues prevented him from performing. He died less than four years later in 1979 at the ridiculous young age of fifty-six. The music, mostly composed by Mingus with the exception of one classic standard, reflects his typical modus operandi, with the band playing shifting themes with constantly changing tempi, full of brilliant improvisations, led brilliantly by the leader and his inimitable bass pulsations. The meeting with Mulligan is especially moving and shows the deep personal respect between these two American Jazz Giants, who are able to find a common language despite their contrasting stylistic attitudes. Overall, this is an important document of one of the greatest and most original American Jazz figures, and despite the fact that many live recordings from this period appeared on the market in the meantime, each of them is absolutely unique and special and all are worth a respectful place in a serious Jazz records collection. Mingus was definitely one of a kind, which nobody can deny.

Updated: 12/09/2024Posted: 12/09/2024

CD 2 Recommend To A Friend

CHARLES MINGUS ~ MINGUS AT CARNEGIE HALL (DELUXE EDITION) ATLANTIC 603497844326 (Barcode: 603497844326) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1974 Released: 2021 This is an expanded reissue / remaster of a live album by legendary American bassist / composer / bandleader Charles MingusFind albums by this artist, recorded on January 19, 1974 at the NY Carnegie Hall. The music was recorded by a sextet, which included trumpeter Jon FaddisFind albums by this artist, saxophonists George AdamsFind albums by this artist and Hamiet BluiettFind albums by this artist, pianist Don PullenFind albums by this artist and drummer Dannie RichmondFind albums by this artist. The sextet was expanded to a nonet on two tracks, with the addition of three saxophonists: John HandyFind albums by this artist, Rahsaan Roland KirkFind albums by this artist and Charles McPhersonFind albums by this artist. This 2CD edition presents seven tracks, adding five tracks (and over seventy minutes) of unreleased material. Four of the tracks last over twenty minutes and one just under twenty minutes. Three of the tracks are original compositions by Mingus, one is by Pullen, one is by Duke EllingtonFind albums by this artist, one is a standard and finally one is a short spoken word introduction. The restored sound is absolutely pristine. The music is, in many respects, a closing chapter of American Jazz, which summarizes the great Bebop period and the entry into Free Jazz, offering a gallery of instrumental Masters, who lament the grand times with obvious nostalgic glace over the shoulder, realizing the fact that the ride is over. The great leader / guru, one of the last standing figures of American Jazz, was playing one of the last live concerts in his career and would be dead in a few years and there was nobody in sight to carry the torch. But the music is of course grand, from start to finish, with incredible soloing and great group improvisations, kept carefully in check by the boss. They were, after all, the crème de la crème of the scene at the time and clearly could outplay anybody out there. Mingus’ compositions are ideal vehicles for the orgy of sound and camaraderie that prevails, and despite the fact that they are not innovating anything, they clearly learned the lesson of the decade preceding this recording, laying any doubts about Bebop being over to rest. Overall, this is a monster album, which deserves an honorable place in every decent Jazz records collection, not only because of the incredible amount of great music it offers, but more importantly because of the message it so vividly sends to the Jazz world: Bebop was great, we took everything there was to take from it, now please let it rest in peace!

Updated: 28/01/2024Posted: 28/01/2024

CD 2 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

CHARLES MINGUS ~ MINGUS IN ARGENTINA: THE BUENOS AIRES CONCERTS RESONANCE 2077 (Barcode: 617270123089) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1977 Released: 2025 This is an archival 2CD live album by American bassist / composer / bandleader Charles MingusFind albums by this artist, recorded in Argentina on June 2 and 3, 1977. The music is performed by a quintet, which comprises of Mingus on bass with trumpeter Jack WalrathFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Ricky FordFind albums by this artist, pianist Robert NelomsFind albums by this artist and drummer Dannie RichmondFind albums by this artist. Mingus plays piano on two tracks. The album presents thirteen tracks, six of which last for over ten minutes. Almost all of the material comprises of original Mingus’ compositions. It includes music from the album “Cumbia & Jazz FusionFind albums with this title”, which Mingus recorded shortly before these concerts. The packaging includes an impressive 36-pages booklet with great photographs and essays, as usual with the ResonanceFind albums on this label Records releases. Since the music was recorded a year and a half before Mingus’ death, it is a wonderful document of Mingus and his modus operandi during his last period, which included expanded versions of his classic compositions, like those included herein, with a significant freedom allowed to the band members to improvise in various settings, like solo, duo, trios and so on, periodically returning to the main theme and then floating away again and again. The fact that the music was recorded almost fifty years before this album was released proves how far-thinking and everlasting this music was and still is today. There is of course plenty of opportunities for the individual musicians to show their chops, and it is one of the latest recordings featuring Mingus soloing extensively, although his illness limited his performing abilities. The album offers excellent sound quality and was recorded properly on a multitrack equipment, and the source material was excellently remastered. Overall, this is a classic Mingus recording, which represents his genius as player, composer, bandleader and a Jazz visionary, who always knew exactly what he wanted to say in his music and offered an unwavering dedication to his vision of Jazz, often against the “Jazz establishment” at home. For Mingus many fans and followers, this is an absolute must have in their collection of his recordings, but all true Jazz lovers should find this fascinating. There was, after all, only one Charles Mingus…

Updated: 18/06/2025Posted: 18/06/2025

CD 2 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend

CHARLES MINGUS ~ MINGUS THREE (DELUXE EDITION) RHINO 603497841035 (Barcode: 603497841035) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1957 Released: 2022 This is an expanded reissue / remaster of an album by American Jazz bassist / composer / bandleader Charles MingusFind albums by this artist, recorded in a trio format with pianist Hampton HawesFind albums by this artist and drummer Dannie RichmondFind albums by this artist. The 2CD album presents the remastered seven original tracks (two Mingus originals, one Hawes original and four standards) on CD1 and eight outtakes from the session, all previously unissued, on CD2. This is a very rare opportunity to hear Mingus in the classic piano trio setting, where his bass playing is exceptionally fitting for this setting and his soloing is out there to be heard distinctly. The relaxed atmosphere of the recording brigs the best out of all three players, and the music swings splendidly, full of little quirks and turns jokingly exchanged between them. The presence of the outtakes, which laid undiscovered for fifty-five years in the vault, is a brilliant addition to the album, and allows both the fans to re-examine the different approaches to the same tune, which the trio tried out, and a couple of aborted attempts at them. Overall, this is a wonderful piece of Jazz history and an exceptional piano trio recording for lovers of Swing and Bebop, played by the best musicians at the time. The remastered sound quality is wonderful and the pleasure of listening to this splendid music can be enjoyed at full. Highly recommended!

Updated: 27/06/2024Posted: 27/06/2024

CD 2 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

CHARLES MINGUS ~ PASSIONS OF A MAN: THE COMPLETE ATLANTIC RECORDINGS 1956-1961 RHINO 72871 (Barcode: 081227287122) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1956 - 1961 Released: 1997 This superb Box Set includes the music Charles MingusFind albums by this artist, one of the most charismatic and outspoken jazz musicians, recorded between January 1956 and November 1961 – almost a six years span. It includes the 6 albums released by AtlanticFind albums on this label (Pithecanthropus ErectusFind albums with this title, The ClownFind albums with this title, Blues & RootsFind albums with this title, Oh YeahFind albums with this title, Tonight At NoonFind albums with this title and the double live album Mingus At AntibesFind albums with this title) as well as the Teddy CharlesFind albums by this artist album Word From BirdFind albums with this title on which Mingus plays bass. Some previously unreleased alternate takes are also included, as well as a long (over 70 minutes) interview with Mingus by Nesuhi ErtegunFind albums by this artist, the producer of all these sessions. This period is considered his most productive and stable and the bulk of his best compositions are included here. He plays bass and piano and the list of names of the musicians playing with him here sounds like a “who’s who” of modern jazz, including Jackie McLeanFind albums by this artist (alto sax), Mal WaldronFind albums by this artist (piano), Dannie RichmondFind albums by this artist (drums), Booker ErvinFind albums by this artist (tenor sax), Eric DolphyFind albums by this artist (alto sax and bass clarinet), Ted CursonFind albums by this artist (trumpet), Bud PowellFind albums by this artist (piano) and many others. This is magnificent music in every respect – Mingus at his peak as composer and bandleader, surrounded by musicians of the highest class creates beautiful collages linking blues, bebop and the emerging free form jazz. I highly recommend to read Mingus’ autobiography “Beneath The Underdog” (one of the most original and striking jazz books ever written) as a companion to this music. Absolutely essential!

Updated: 11/01/2024Posted:

CD 6 Box Set Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

CHARLES MINGUS ~ THE COMPLETE TOWN HALL CONCERT BLUE NOTE 724382835325 (Barcode: 724382835325) ~ USA ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 1962 Released: 1994 This is a reissue / remaster of the album by American bassist / composer / bandleader Charles MingusFind albums by this artist, recorded at NY Town Hall on October 12, 1962 and featuring a 30-piece Big Band, which included some of the most prominent American Jazz musicians active at the time, including trumpeters Clark TerryFind albums by this artist and Snooky YoungFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Eric DolphyFind albums by this artist, Charlie MarianoFind albums by this artist, Zoot SimsFind albums by this artist and Pepper AdamsFind albums by this artist, pianists Jaki ByardFind albums by this artist and Toshiko AkiyoshiFind albums by this artist, drummer Dannie RichmondFind albums by this artist and of course Mingus on bass. The album presents twelve tracks, all bar one original compositions by Mingus, with a playing time over twice longer than the duration of the original LP album released in 1963 on United ArtistsFind albums on this label. Four of the tracks are previously unissued and another four are restored to their full length. The music is of course as Godly as anything else recorded by Mingus, with this reissue restoring the original castrated monstrosity to its full glory. For decades this music was considered as one of the least successful recordings by Mingus, but this version proves that it was the fault of the original LP producers, rather than anything to do with Mingus, who prepared this glorious Magnum Opus using his full blown talent, as we can now properly hear and witness. Mingus uses the Big Band masterfully, expanding his original scores in order to utilize the full strength of such a powerful vehicle and in order to present his musical ideas, which of course were light-years ahead of their time. This live recording remains as a sublime document of Mingus’ vision, and should be cherished as such. Overall, this is a wonderful time capsule, which presents the Jazz Genius of Mingus at work, given an opportunity to utilize a Grand Big Band, presenting his unforgettable melodies ornamented by improvisations by the best Jazz musicians alive at the time. This is obviously a must in every substantial Jazz records collection.

Updated: 21/05/2025Posted: 21/05/2025

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

CHARLES MINGUS ~ BREMEN 1964 & 1975 SUNNYSIDE 1570 (Barcode: 016728157025) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1964 - 1974 Released: 2020 This is an archival 4CD album by American bassist / composer / bandleader Charles MingusFind albums by this artist, recorded live in Bremen, Germany. It presents two concert recordings, separated by eleven years, each captured on a 2CD set. The album presents fifteen tracks, five of which are over ten minutes in duration, four are over twenty minutes in duration and two are over thirty minutes in duration. Most of the music is composed by Mingus, two tracks are standards and two others are composed by members of his ensembles. By the time the second concert was captured, Mingus was already suffering from a serious health issues and it is one of his last live recordings. CD1 & CD2 present the Mingus sextet with trumpeter Johnny ColesFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Eric DolphyFind albums by this artist and Clifford JordanFind albums by this artist, pianist Jaki ByardFind albums by this artist and drummer Dannie RichmondFind albums by this artist. CD3 & CD4 present the Mingus quintet with trumpeter Jack WalrathFind albums by this artist, saxophonist George AdamsFind albums by this artist, pianist Don PullenFind albums by this artist and Richmond (the only musician to play on both concerts). The music includes the iconic Mingus’ compositions, spanning his entire career, each and every one in a unique concert version, which depended on the specific lineup, the mood of the concert and of course the leader’s disposition, which means that regardless of how many versions of the same tunes one owns, they are always different, often dramatically different from every other version of the same tune. The two lineups are also very different; the sextet is dominated by the presence of Dolphy, whose hair-rising performances, especially those on flute and bass clarinet, are absolutely stunning, while the quintet might seem more relaxed and settled, but no less intense or sophisticated. Just two months after the concert captured herein, Ayler would be tragically dead, which makes his appearance here one of his last. Overall, this is a monumental piece of Jazz history, which deserves an honorable place in any serious Jazz collection, even if Mingus’ recordings, including live ones, are already proudly present therein. The 1964 concert is a true eye (ear) opener, disclosing the dramatic entry of Free Jazz into the core of the Jazz tradition, but every second of the music captured on this album is true Holy Grail!

Updated: 26/05/2024Posted: 26/05/2024

CD 4 Digipak Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

CHARLES MINGUS ~ CHANGES: THE COMPLETE 1970S ATLANTIC STUDIO RECORDINGS ATLANTIC 603497838363 (Barcode: 603497838363) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1973 - 1978 Released: 2023 This 7CD Box Set combines all the studio recordings made by the great American Jazz bassist / composer / bandleader Charles MingusFind albums by this artist for the AtlanticFind albums on this label label during the last period of his life between 1973 and 1978. These recordings were released on seven albums, which appear here in their remastered versions: “Mingus MovesFind albums with this title”, “Changes OneFind albums with this title”, “Changes TwoFind albums with this title”, “Three Or Four Shades Of BluesFind albums with this title”, “Cumbia & Jazz FusionFind albums with this title”, “Me, Myself An EyeFind albums with this title” and finally “Something Like A BirdFind albums with this title”. All the music on these albums, with a few exceptions, was composed by Mingus. CD1 adds two outtakes and CD5 adds one outtake. The LP version of this Box Set adds an entire LP8 with seven outtakes. The list of participating musicians on these albums looks like the who’s who of the American Jazz scene at the time, with the most notable ones being saxophonists George AdamsFind albums by this artist, George ColemanFind albums by this artist and Ricky FordFind albums by this artist, pianist Don PullenFind albums by this artist, drummer Dannie RichmondFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Jack WalrathFind albums by this artist, guitarists Philip CatherineFind albums by this artist and Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist, and many others. The above albums mark the second period of Mingus recordings for Atlantic. Between 1956 and 1961 he recorded several albums for the label, but he was not under exclusive contract with the label at the time. Those albums can be found in the great Box Set released in 1997, called “Passions Of A Man: The Complete Atlantic Recordings 1956-1961Find albums with this title”. Overall, this Box Sets presents some of the most important American Jazz recordings of all time, preserving the incredible legacy of one of its most important protagonists. Mingus was a great innovator and at the same time a key keeper of the flame, combining the American Jazz tradition with modern trends, unlike most of his contemporaries, who preferred to be stuck in the past. This last period of his life turned out to be also perhaps his most productive and daring, definitely the most mature and aesthetically balanced. All of the music in this Box Set is a Holy Grail of American Jazz, sadly also one of the last displays of its productivity and genius. For Jazz lovers, who don’t own all these albums separately, this Box Set is an absolute must, but those who already have all this material in their collections, it adds almost nothing new, except for neat packaging and remastered sound quality.

Updated: 11/01/2024Posted: 11/01/2024

CD 7 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend