Mingus Ah Um, featuring an all-star group including Jimmy Knepper, John Handy, Booker Ervin and Curtis Porter (aka Shafi Hadi), was Charles Mingus first LP for Columbia. The Penguin Guide to Jazz called this album an extended tribute to ancestors and awarded it one of their rare crowns. Reception was also good when Mingus Ah Um was first issued. Leonard Feather gave the album a five-star rating in Down Beat, stating: First let s put your minds at ease about that weird title: it s a corruption of an imaginary Latin declension (mingus-minga-mingum). Don t ask why. It seems to me that Mingus has now completely found himself, found a personal and vital direction. This is a consistently exciting and stimulating set. Mingus has something to say, knows how and through whom to say it, and it is all stated with communicative authority.
L**M
The Power to Amaze
This album, along with three others (Miles Davies - Kind of Blue, Ornette Coleman - The Shape of Jazz to Come and Dave Brubeck - Time Out) were recently identified as key albums that shaped Jazz in 1959. Fifty years on, this album still has the power to amaze.The opening track, Better Git it in Your Soul, is a joyous stomp, leading onto Good By Pork Pie Hat which is a calm and charming piece. There then follows Boogie Stop Shuffle - simply one of the most thrilling pieces of Jazz I have ever heard - with a driven bass line, fabulous saxophone and trumpet.The treasures keep coming - Bird Calls (a tribute to Charlie Parker) bursts with the be-bop inspired dissonance Parker loved. There's even political comment: Fable to Faubus (a governor of Arkansas opposed to racial integration) seems to mock the governor for his attitudes.This edition has three extra tracks over the original album. If you have only an early CD release or LP and love this album, this edition is worth buying for the extra tracks. This edition also contains a decent illustrated booklet with material from 1959 and later critical review which makes it worth buying the CD rather than downloading.
C**.
A superb set.
Mingus new to me and this is not my usual style, but it's good to get out of the comfort zone once in a while.(There's only so much Miles and Nordic jazz one can listen to, after all.) This really grew and has been a constant presence around the turntable since. Especially worth a trial at that price.
C**L
Mingus at his best
A must for any Mingus fan the very brilliant Ah Um
S**L
Good album to open the door
I listened to Van Morrison talking about him, as never listened to him and choose this album as starting point. Easy to listen to and I would buy more of his albums based on this.
C**L
Fantastic music.
Super recording of some super music.
B**Y
good quality sound
good quality and excellent sound on my system
H**?
Must have jazz recordings
It seems like the 50's was a great time for recording artists, like others of this era, the producers did muck it about.Excellent recordings
S**D
As good as its reputation -superb
As good as its reputation -superb
J**S
Essential Jazz
I can add nothing to the discussion about this record that hasn't already been said. It MUST be in any credible jazz collection.My 180G vinyl is super quiet and sounds great.
P**N
The service to customers is very good.
I like the music.
U**R
Jazz Klassiker
Sicherlich ein kultiger Klassiker des Jazz und obendrein in audiophil anmutender Klangqualität! Empfehlung!
S**G
Super
Helt extraordinär! Underbar Mingus!
B**A
Bom do início ao fim
Bom disco. Vale a pena. Recomendo
