Probably the highest point of the Charles Mingus Jazz Workshop achievements during the 50's, one of his most innovative and provoking recordings widely acclaimed as a true Jazz Masterpiece. Mastered at 45rpm from the Original Master Tapes by Bernie Grundman and pressed on high quality virgin 180gr vinyl at RTI presented in a Deluxe laminated heavy gatefold cover.

The Absolute Sound 40th Anniversary Best Sounding Music

Featured in Vinyl Gourmet Audiophile TOP 100

• Limited Edition (2500 units Worldwide)
• Numbered Edition
• Deluxe Laminated Gatefold Cover
• 45rpm Audiophile 180 grams Vinyl
• Double LP Pressed at RTI USA
• Mastered by Bernie Grundman
• Cut from Original Analog Master Tapes

One of the most important figures in twentieth century American music, Charles Mingus was a virtuoso bass player, accomplished pianist, bandleader and composer. His early professional experience, in the 40's, found him touring with bands like Louis Armstrong, Kid Ory and Lionel Hampton. Eventually he settled in New York where he played and recorded with the leading musicians of the 1950's– Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Bud Powell, Art Tatum and Duke Ellington himself.

One of the few bassists to do so, Mingus quickly developed as a leader of musicians. From the 1960's until his death in 1979 at age 56, Mingus remained in the forefront of American music. When asked to comment on his accomplishments, Mingus said that his abilities as a bassist were the result of hard work but that his talent for composition came from God.

Charles Mingus’ 1959 Columbia sessions were both a summation of his diverse work up to that point and a bold step forward, for it was the year when at last he had the opportunity to sign with a major label and work with an old friend and musical collaborator, Teo Macero at Columbia Records.

There was no stopping this incredible musical mind who’d found his voice as a bassist, composer and bandleader. The bands that Mingus assembled at Columbia’s 30th Street studio in May and November of ‘59 consisted of the greatest exponents of his music to date, featuring sidemen Jimmy Knepper, John Handy, Booker Ervin, Horace Parlan and Dannie Richmond.

These 1959 sessions, which resulted in Mingus Ah Um and Mingus Dynasty, introduced several classics that would become evergreens in the bassist’s repertoire and jazz standards including: “Better Git It In Your Soul,” “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat” and “Fables Of Faubus” plus homages to jazz greats Ellington (“Open Letter To Duke”), with whom Mingus is most frequently compared for the vastness, depth and diversity of his recordings, and Morton (“Jelly Roll”), jazz’s first great composer.

"At a memorial following Mingus' death, Steve Schlesinger of the Guggenheim Foundation commented that Mingus was one of the few artists who received two grants and added: 'I look forward to the day when we can transcend labels like jazz and acknowledge Charles Mingus as the major American composer that he is.' The New Yorker wrote: 'For sheer melodic and rhythmic and structural originality, his compositions may equal anything written in western music in the twentieth century.'" - All About Jazz

Musicians:

Charles Mingus, bass, piano
John Handy, alto & tenor sax, clarinet
Booker Ervin, tenor sax
Shafi Hadi, tenor & alto sax
Willie Dennis, trombone
Jimmy Knepper, trombone
Horace Parlan, piano
Dannie Richmond, drums

Track Listing:

1. Better Git It in Your Soul
2. Goodbye Pork Pie Hat
3. Boogie Stop Shuffle
4. Self-Portrait in Three Colors
5. Open Letter to Duke
6. Bird Calls
7. Fables of Faubus
8. Pussy Cat Dues
9. Jelly Roll

"A true audiophile delight, this is the type of vinyl release to answer all questions, that makes it all worth while. For the music, for the performance, and for this absolutely perfect reissue, Mingus Ah Um is a must have album in any collection and a definitive Vinyl Gourmet Audiophile TOP 100 record!"

"9 out of 9 stars for Music! 10 out of 10 stars for Sound!"

Click here to read the review from Vinyl Gourmet Blog

Click here to listen to samples on AllMusic.com