Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus (studio album)
by Charles Mingus

There are no weak tracks on this cinematically epic jazz album. It is very smooth, and very melodic. This is the exact opposite of avant-garde Jazz, going back to basics in the best possible way. A classic! 9.5/10!

This is a solid album with great sound. If it were the only Charles Mingus album I'd ever heard, I’d probably appreciate it even more, because you can easily recognize his genius, and every track is, at the very least, interesting.

However, compared to his best works, it feels a bit restrained—like it never fully takes off the way it could. There’s less of that unbridled energy you find in Blues & Roots or Mingus Ah Um, and less incredible moments than in TBSATSL. The production here is tighter, but that doesn’t necessarily make it better. Another major drawback is that most of the tracks have already appeared on other albums. That said, the version of "Mood Indigo" really stands out. It’s beautifully done, highlighting Mingus’ incredibly tasty bass playing in a way that’s truly memorable.

Still, if you like Mingus like I do, you have to listen to this album.

From AAL2014 06/06/2024 12:18

Yet another example in a lengthy list of Mingus bending the entire rule book of Jazz in his favor.

From swinging up-tempo tracks to dexterous and thoughtfully layered ballads, this record is up there with Mingus’ best work.

From Jboy56 08/27/2022 07:27

Good

From ProfessorSquid 04/21/2013 02:12

Energetic madness.

Without any doubt one of best Mingu's albums. Incendiary and lyrical, volcanic and moody, graceful and giant. Like Mingus, Mingus, Mingus, Mingus.