Ah - Hum

I really should have a genuine Charles Mingus recording in my collection but what I have instead is the Essential Mingus Big Band. The Mingus Big Band is a touring and recording group that keeps going performing the music of Charles Mingus under the auspices of his widow Sue. Whatever doubts there might be about this being a somewhat sterile approach, keeping a never changing form in aspic, are removed by the drive and spirit of the performances and the quality of the musicians such as Randy Brecker and Kenny Drew. Sue Mingus also ensures that the standard never drops, they have just finished touring the UK and reports are that they were excellent. As far as this cd is concerned, it consists of performances recorded during the 90s and includes some of Mingus's stand out compositions such as Haitian Fight Song, Fables of Faubus, Moanin', Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting and Goodbye Pork Pie Hat. I guess the nature of the project is that it concentrates on the more straight ahead blues based grooves than some of the more left field aspects of his output but that doesn't detract from a fine album of jazz blowing.