Charles Mingus And Hiz Jazz Groups Mingus Dynasty (2 LP)

Featured in Michael Fremer's Heavy Rotation in the February 2008 Issue of Stereophile! Pressed at Pallas in Germany!
"Mingus Dynasty", like the previous album "Mingus Ah Um", was recorded in 1959. The year was a turning point for unsurpassed, eruptive bassist and composer Charles Mingus. He ran a repertory theater consisting of New York's most creative improvisational musicians and two groups, a tentet and a nonet, which also included two cellos, and demanded the improvisational skills of his groups like never before. The music in the album is as captivating as the eye-catching cover photo that shows Mingus in a kind of mocking costume of a Chinese emperor. The album includes as a bonus track the well-known Mingus theme "Strollin", which he composed together with Honey Gordon, who plays in the tenttet. It is known as an instrumental piece under "Nostalgia In Times Square", the soundtrack to John Cassawete's "Shadows". Mingus also honors two generations of the Ellingtons in his album. His idol, Duke Ellington, whose "Mood Indigo" contains a virtuoso bass solo, and the son of the maestro, Mercer Ellington with "Things Ain't What They Used To Be". A number of glowing gospel originals such as "Slop" and "Gunslinging Bird" are a specialty of Mingus in 6/8 time. Finally, even more complex pieces can be heard, such as "Far Wells, Mill Valley" and "Diane", which after an atonal beginning unfolds like a flower with Mingus' most beautiful musical themes.
The line-up of musicians would not only have been difficult to beat in 1959. Originally produced by Teo Macero, this recently remixed and expanded version of "Mingus Dynasty" was produced by Michael Cuscuna. The artist's original commentary is reproduced here as recorded by Diane Dorr-Doryneck, supplemented by information from Mingus biographer Brian Priestley and previously unpublished photos at the time of the original recordings. Time for MINGUS DYNASTY!
Mingus Dynasty, like its predecessor and Columbia companion Mingus Ah Um, was recorded in 1959, a watershed year for the insuperable, eruptive bassist-composer Charles Mingus. Leading what amounted to a repertory company comprising some of New York's best and most creative improvisers, Mingus musically challenged two ensembles as they'd never been challenged before. The music herein remains as arresting as the LP's original cover photograph of a mock-imperious Mingus in full Chinese emperor regalia was eye-catching.

Features:

• 180g Vinyl
• Pressed at Pallas in Germany
• Limited Edition

Musicians:

• Charles Mingus, bass
• Dannie Richmond, drums
• John Handy, alto saxophone
• Booker Ervin, tenor saxophone
• Benny Golson, tenor saxophone
• Jerome Richardson, baritone saxophone, flute
• James Knepper, trombone
• Roland Hanna, piano
• Theodore Cohen, vibes
• Dick Williams, trumpet
• Nico Benick, piano
• Maurice Brown, cello
• Seymour Barab, cello

Selections:

LP 1
Side A
1. Slop
2. Diane
Side B
1. Song With Orange
2. Gunslinging Bird
LP 2
Side C
1. Things Ain't What They Used To Be
2. Far Wells, Mill Valley
3. New Now, Know How
Side D
1. Mood Indigo
2. Put Me In That Dungeon
3. Strollin'