CHARLES MINGUS — Blues & Roots (1959) Two Version (2002, RM | Atlantic Masters Series) + (2007, RM | Atlantic 60th Series) APE (image+.cue), lossless & FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

In response to critical carping that his ambitious, evocative music somehow didn't swing enough, Charles Mingus returned to the earthiest and earliest sources of black musical expression, namely the blues, gospel, and old-time New Orleans jazz. The resulting LP, Blues and Roots, isn't quite as wildly eclectic as usual, but it ranks as arguably Mingus' most joyously swinging outing. Working with simple forms, Mingus boosts the complexity of the music by assembling a nine-piece outfit and arranging multiple lines to be played simultaneously -- somewhat akin to the Dixieland ensembles of old, but with an acutely modern flavor. Anyone who had heard "Haitian Fight Song" shouldn't have been surprised that such an album was well within Mingus' range, but jazz's self-appointed guardians have long greeted innovation with reactionary distaste. After Blues and Roots, there could be no question of Mingus' firm grounding in the basics, nor of his deeply felt affinity with them. Whether the music is explicitly gospel-based -- like the groundbreaking classic "Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting" -- or not, the whole album is performed with a churchy fervor that rips through both the exuberant swingers and the aching, mournful slow blues. Still, it's the blues that most prominently inform the feeling of the album, aside from the aforementioned "Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting" and the Jelly Roll Morton tribute "My Jelly Roll Soul." The recording session was reportedly very disorganized, but perhaps that actually helped give the performances the proper feel, since they wound up so loose and free-swinging. With a lineup including John Handy and Jackie McLean on alto, Booker Ervin on tenor, frequent anchor Pepper Adams on baritone, and Jimmy Knepper and Willie Dennis on trombones, among others, Blues and Roots isn't hurting for fiery soloists, and they help make the album perhaps the most soulful in Mingus' discography. Steve Huey
Tracklist  :
1. Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting 5:39
 Charles Mingus
2. Cryin' Blues 4:58
 Charles Mingus
3. Moanin 8:01
 Charles Mingus
4. Tensions 6:27
 Charles Mingus
5. My Jelly Roll Soul 6:47
 Charles Mingus
6. E's Flat Ah's Flat Too 6:37
 Charles Mingus
– BONUS TRACKS –
7. Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting (Alternate Take)    6:54
8. Tensions (Alternate Take)    5:14
9. My Jelly Roll Soul (Alternate Take)    11:20
10. E's Flat Ah's Flat Too (Alternate Take)    6:47
Credits :
Charles Mingus – Bass
John Handy, Jackie McLean – Sax Alto
Booker Ervin – Sax Tenor
Pepper Adams – Sax Baritone
Jimmy Knepper, Willie Dennis – Trombone
Dannie Richmond – Drums
Horace Parlan (tracks: 1 to 5, 7 to 9), Mal Waldron (tracks: 6, 10) - Piano

CHARLES MINGUS — Mingus at Carnegie Hall (1974-2006) RM | Serie Atlantic 60th | FLAC (tracks+.cue) lossless

Atlantic Records, somewhat perversely, chose to release two performances from this concert that had the strongest aura of "jam session" about them. But the show included a solid opening set by the working band of the time, as well as a freer finale, all of which remains unissued. This is a fun 45 minutes, particularly for the jovial interplay between saxophonists Kirk and Adams, but in its released form, only hints at the strength of The Jazz Workshop in 1974. Stuart Kremsky
Tracklist :
1    C Jam Blues 24:40
Written-By – Duke Ellington
2    Perdido 21:57
Written-By – Ervin Drake, Hans Lengsfelder, Juan Tizol
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Charles McPherson
Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – John Handy
Baritone Saxophone – Hamiet Bluiett
Bass – Charles Mingus
Drums – Dannie Richmond
Piano – Don Pullen
Tenor Saxophone – George Adams
Tenor Saxophone, Saxophone [Stritch] – Rahsaan Roland Kirk
Trumpet – Jon Faddis