Compilation: ''Passions Of A Man'' Charles Mingus 6 CDs Disc Set

Compilation:
''Passions Of A Man'' Charles Mingus 6 CDs Disc Set

PASSIONS OF A MAN includes every album Mingus made during his first tenure at Atlantic Records. These recordings include PITHECANTHROPUS ERECTUS, THE CLOWN, BLUES AND ROOTS, MINGUS AT ANTIBES, OH YEAH and TONIGHT AT NOON, a compilation of 1957 and 1961 sessions making its first CD appearance. Of the 6 disc set, the last disc is a 75-minute interview with producer Nesuhi Ertegun.

These are the complete Atlantic recordings of Charles Mingus from 1956-1961. He was with the label again for a second period from '73 until his death in '79; this set focuses solely on his groundbreaking first tenure. The resulting six CDs are a powerful portrait of a man taking in the world around him and turning it into compositions of timeless beauty, focused anger, quiet redemption, sad observations, and boundless hope.

Rooted in blues, gospel, Afro-American folk idioms, Dixieland, bop, and even modernist classical landscapes, Mingus was never short of confidence in and commitment to his vision. That he surrounded himself with such a gallery of monumental and innovative players is a testament both to his good taste and their desire to be a part of something this big and this perfect. Among others, his soloists include Bud Powell, Eric Dolphy, Roland Kirk, Jackie McLean, Pepper Adams, John Handy, and Mal Waldron. This is a colossal document, beautifully annotated and packaged, and a cornerstone of any jazz library.

Complete Atlantic Recordings 1956-1961

Recorded at Audio-Video Studios and Atlantic Studios, New York, New York; live at Nesuhi Ertugun's offices, New York, New York and at the Antibes Jazz Festival, Juan-les-Pins, France between 1956 and 1961. Includes liner notes by Andrew Homzy, Stefano Zenni, Joel Dorn, Tom Dowd, Sue Mingus.

Full Title: Passions Of A Man: The Complete Atlantic Recordings (1956-1961).

Personnel: Charles Mingus (vocals, bass); Jean Shepherd (spoken vocals); Jackie McLean, John Handy (alto saxophone); Shafi Hadi (alto & tenor saxophones); Eric Dolphy (alto saxophone, bass clarinet); J.R. Monterose, Booker Ervin (tenor saxophone); Roland Kirk (tenor saxophone, flute, manzello, stritch, siren); Pepper Adams (baritone saxophone); Ted Curson (trumpet); Jimmy Knepper, Willie Dennis (trombone); Teddy Charles (vibraphone); Mal Waldron, Hall Overton, Horace Parlan, Bud Powell, Wade Legge (piano); Doug Watkins (bass); Willie Jones, Ed Shaughnessy, Dannie Richmond (drums).

Producers include: Nesuhi Ertegun.

Reissue producers include: Patrick Milligan.

Engineers include: Tom Dowd, Hal Lustig, Bob Doherty, Larry Hiller, Phil Iehle.

PASSIONS OF A MAN: THE COMPLETE ATLANTIC RECORDINGS 1956-1961 was nominated for the 1999 Grammy Award for Best Album Notes.Spin (1/98, p.88) - Ranked #8 on Spin's list of the "Top 10 Reissues."
Spin (1/98, p.112) - 9 (out of 10) - "...PASSIONS OF A MAN documents the moment when his whole conception came together--the avant-garde's expressive squawk and squeal, the virtuosity of the bop soloists who peopled whi bands, the raggedness of country blues, and the melodic and orchestral achievements of Ellington, his hero..."
Entertainment Weekly (12/12/97, p.88) - "...PASSION contains plenty of the lyricism, experimentalism, and hollering genius that made Mingus such a unique figure. Like the best such collections, it leaves listeners not overfed but hungry for more." - Rating: A
Down Beat (12/97, p.95) - 4 stars (out of 5) - "...one can hear the mature Mingus driving various classic bands....the music on these records has been the object of constant analysis, review, critique and ponderment since it was waxed....it is a package absolutely packed with brilliant music..."
Vibe (12/97-1/98, p.172) - "...Mingus did work on his instrument that won't be duplicated until humans grow six extra fingers. PASSIONS OF A MAN is a splendid musical civics lesson..."
Musician (4/98, p.90) - "...a staggering array of saxophonists playing music that never, ever sounded like it was composed, orchestrated, and stomped upon by anybody but Mingus....As history, this is invaluable stuff....music like this can never lose its power or its passion."
Record Collector (magazine) (p.96) - 5 stars out of 5 -- "Besides oodles of great music, there's a CD devoted to a recorded interview with Mingus. Fascinating stuff."

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By Andy