Charles Mingus - Blues & Roots LP

$21.98

"Blues and Roots (Atlantic, 1959) is one of the key albums in Mingus' career, a boisterous, rollicking record that has the feel of a car going too fast, always in danger of running off the road. It's basically a less polished version of the classic Mingus Ah Um and as you can gather from the song titles, Mingus is drawing heavily from two of his big inspirations: the blues and the church. Complete with moans and shout outs from the bassist, the band tears through six numbers with fierce passion, to a more than holy rolling effect. And what a band it is: alto and tenor saxophonists Jackie McLean, John Handy and Booker Ervin in the front line with baritone saxophonist Pepper Adams and trombonists Jimmy Knepper and Willie Daniels providing depth to the bottom end. The rhythm section of pianist Horace Parlan (or Mal Waldron) and perennial Mingus sideman, bassist Dannie Richmond, fan the flames from the back. Mingus is at his most energetic here, leading a band that was fully in line with what he was up to. It's hard to imagine a Mingus outfit that ever sounded better." - All About Jazz