Record Reviews

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

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