Charles Mingus Mingus Dynasty CD

This remastered edition of MINGUS DYNASTY features four of the original tracks in unedited form and a bonus track.

Recorded in New York on November 1 and 13, 1959. Includes liner notes by Brian Priestley.

All tracks have been digitally remastered using 20-bit technology.

For the legendary bass virtuoso and composer Charles Mingus, 1959 was a watershed year. On the two November sessions which comprise MINGUS DYNASTY, the bassist achieved a rare balance between the excitement of spontaneous invention, and the controlled intensity of carefully crafted group forms.

MINGUS DYNASTY appears on CD for the first time with all of Mingus' post-performance edits intact. Mingus the jazz composer had an abiding affection for traditional forms, such as gospel and Dixieland, and a deep devotion to the innovations of modernists Duke Ellington and Charlie Parker. Thus you have the sanctified celebration of "Slop," the earthy blues of "Put Me In That Dungeon," and the firey drive of "Gunslinging Bird," where church rhythms, blues feeling and jazz harmony co-mingle in a swelter of powerful solos and colorful ensemble passages.

Mingus' affection for the music of Ellington is plainly evident in inspired covers of Mercer Ellington's "Things Ain't What They Used To Be" (with fine idiomatic solos by trombonist Jimmy Knepper, tenorist Booker Ervin and Mingus) and an atmospheric "Mood Indigo," in which Mingus modulates tempos and moods every bit as effectively as he traverses chord changes. Likewise the bassist's own "Diane," "Song With Orange" and "Far Wells, Mill Valley," where his charts evidence an affection both for 20th century classicism and ancient blues. And the incredibly swinging rhythm section of bassist Mingus, drummer Dannie Richmond and pianist Roland Hanna make MINGUS DYNASTY a timeless recording.

This is part of the Columbia Jazz Masterpieces series.

Personnel: Charles Mingus (bass); Booker Ervin, John Handy, Benny Golson (saxophones); Jerome Richardson (saxophone, flute); Donald Ellis, Dick Williams (trumpets); James Knepper (trombone); Maurice Brown, Seymour Barab (cello); Theodore Cohen (vibraphone); Roland Hanna (piano); Dannie Richmond (drums).

Reissue producer: John Snyder.