Mingus Dynasty

I am just getting my feet wet with Charles Mingus. For some reason, I never heard much of his work in the sixties forward. I truly love jazz of this period and I find this music to be very interesting and extraordinarily energetic. It is clear that Mingus is very deliberate in his composition and arrangement work, but there is such an overriding sense of spontaneous fun and laughter that comes through the music. I am not entirely sure why he appears on the album cover in the garb of a Chinese Emperor unless it is a nod to Sun Ra and his Solar Arkestra.One can point to many sources and influences here. The classic jazz of the past that predates Charles Mingus is obvious and well accounted for. His musical influences include hard bop, free jazz, blues, and Third Stream music. Above all, the hot and soulful sound of black gospel music comes through his music. The specific influence of the music of Duke Ellington can be clearly heard. The music tends toward a group improvisational sound rather than shifting from soloist to soloist, as is often the case in jazz of this period.I cannot get over the wonderful sound of Mingus shouting and groaning with the joy of the music as it unfolds. That man not only composed and arranged well, led a band well, but - most importantly - he loved the music and loved life. I know that Mingus could be quite a firebrand in his demands for the band to realize his vision, but I bet anyone who played with him had some pretty exciting and fun times to balance it out. This is a wonderful album that you will enjoy as well as an important addition to your jazz collection. Charles Mingus and his music reward the listener with a rich palette of moving, toe tapping music and the pure joy of spontaneous joyful music performance. You will enjoy this immensely!

...for the one I had years ago but lost in the move from New York to L.A. I always got a big kick out of Charlie Mingus---who once told me that musicians had to be able to play in all keys---and any recording that begins with a piece called "Slop" and includes the fantastic uptempo "Gunslinging Bird" has to be something to give one a big kick! Now I have my three Minguses together again (the others are "ah um" and "Blues and roots") in a much more convenient format, to enjoy once more.

This music cooks. The larger ensemble adapts itself to well to his king of playing. Intense crescendos and challenging diminuendos .

Very enjoyable; a must have for a Mingus fan. Like most Mingus, music, it grows on you.

Charlie Mingus is amazing. He is never boring. Just when you think you know where the song is going he takes it in another direction. He has a rock and roll sensibility.

Completely useless total rip off and waste of my money

Ah Uhm gets all the credit. Ah Uhm is praised for its diversity, and Mingus Dynasty is derided for being TOO diverse. They are both essential listening from an essential year (1959). Furthermore, I have the Legacy vinyl of Ah Uhm, and this Pure Pleasure edition of Dynasty and the sound on the latter is incredible. Much better than the Legacy vinyl or CD.

Mingus and co at their finest! Mood indigo is a particular highlight. A must have for Mingus fans. Happy listening!

Not because of the music though. I know fewer people are buying CDs these days but part of the reason for buying physical media is getting the booklet. Columbia jazz CDs used to have a reprint of the original liner notes and a new essay (looking at Discogs the 1998 issue of this disc had a 20 page booklet). All this 2009 issue has is a single piece of paper folded in half with personnel and recording info, and reproductions of the front and back covers of the vinyl. My eyes aren't as good as they used to be but four tightly packed columns of text shrunk down from vinyl size must be a challenge even for those with perfect eyesight; it's unreadable for me.

This Mingus album was recorded just months after "Mingus Ah Um" in 1959 and has "lived in the shadow" of its predecessor. There are ten tracks featuring some top musicians including: Jimmy Knepper (tmb), John Handy, Booker Ervin, Benny Golson, Jerome Richardson (saxes), Don Ellis (tpt), Roland Hanna (p) , Teddy Charles (vbs) and Dannie Richmond (d) plus, of course, Charles Mingus (b).There are two Ellington tunes, reflecting Mingus's admiration for the master. Roland Hanna, also an Ellington devotee, plays some wonderfully Ellingtonesque piano. Otherwise the tunes are by Mingus and include "Slop" and "Gunslinging Bird".The music may not quite match the standards already set by "Ah Um", but is not far behind. Worth buying.

Classic Mingus. Virtually everything that he did is worth listening to. Highly recommended.

Superb,sublime,sensational,sonic! Unfortunately my copy was flawed and had to return it, albeit no fault of the supplier.

Received in perfect condition