Jazz / Avant-Garde; Post-Bop
There's no question that Charles Mingus belongs in the pantheon of 20th-century masters. The more pressing question is, how does one boil down the composer-bassist-bandleader's massive, mostly brilliant discography onto a slim single-disc best of? The answer is that it's impossible, but that doesn't stop the folks behind the MILLENNIUM COLLECTION from trying. Still, a whiplash cursory overview of Mingus's music is better than none at all, and this handful of tracks has enough brio, brains, and beautifully composed music to whet the appetite of any Mingus newbie. Those intrigued by this brief sampler should check out studio albums like MINGUS AH UM, or the more substantial compilation PASSIONS OF A MAN. |
