Charles Mingus Pithecanthropus Erectus (180g Import Vinyl LP) * * *

It was a fairly ordinary quintet that entered the Audio-Video Studios in New York City on January 30, 1956: one tenor saxophone, one alto saxophone, a pianist, a drummer and...you guessed it an extraordinary man on the double bass! Not just an instrumentalist, but also an imaginative composer, wayfarer between all kinds of jazz, as well as a talented arranger and well known enfant terrible.

The Suite "Pithecanthropus Erectus" is – among other things – program music. Mingus gives his fellow mankind/musicians the widest possible freedom here, which all exploit to the full both in interplay and in the solos. Bedded down in noise and sound collages, the piece is the result of an experimental workshop. The Gershwin classic "A Foggy Day" takes on the role of intermediary between the jazz styles of the 1930s and free jazz. And in "Profile Of Jackie" and "Love Chant" the arranger calls for his soloists to go to the very limits of their artistic improvisation.

Charles Mingus was certainly not an easy person to deal with for his family, friends and fellow musicians. But that fades into the background when it comes to such outstanding music. Luckily, we outsiders can once again enjoy the music of this genius over 60 years after the studio recording, in its original format. This Speakers Corner 180g vinyl reissue was remastered using pure analogue components only, from the master tapes through to the cutting head.

Musicians:
Charlie Mingus, bass
Jackie McLean, alto saxophone
J.R. Monterose, tenor saxophone
Mal Waldron, piano
Willie Jones, drums