Record Reviews

CHARLES MINGUS ~ THE LOST ALBUM FROM RONNIE SCOTT`S RESONANCE 2063 (Barcode: 617270122846) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1972 Released: 2022 This is an archival 3CD album by American bassist / composer / bandleader Charles MingusFind albums by this artist, recorded live at the Ronnie Scott’s club in London during Mingus’ residence there on August 14 and 15, 1972. The music is performed by a sextet, which comprises of Mingus on bass with trumpeter Jon FaddisFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Charles McPhersonFind albums by this artist and Bobby JonesFind albums by this artist, pianist John FosterFind albums by this artist and drummer Roy BrooksFind albums by this artist. The album presents only nine tracks, since three tracks last half an hour and more and another one about twenty minutes. The material presents extended version of iconic Mingus’ compositions. Also included is an impressive 64-pages booklet with great photographs, an essay by British Jazz historian / writer Brian Priestley and interviews with musicians from Mingus’ ensembles. The music is a wonderful document of Mingus and his modus operandi during his late 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 album was released fifty years after this music was recorded 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, before 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: 24/03/2024Posted: 24/03/2024

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