The Complete Debut Recordings [BOX SET]

Charles Mingus

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 1, 1991)
• Original Release Date: September 26, 1990
• Number of Discs: 12
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Debut
• ASIN: B000000XB6
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #290,383 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The Debut label was created by bassist Charles Mingus and drummer Max Roach to get their compositions recorded and released, a landmark 1950s effort in the history of jazz musicians taking the initiative both to control their work and to make it public. This 12-CD set--nearly 14 hours of music--is an exhaustive collection of Mingus's work for the label, both as leader and sideman, abounding in unreleased takes and obscure sessions. Some of the material is well known, such as the extraordinary 1953 Massey Hall concert with Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Bud Powell along with Mingus and Roach, but it's heard here in both its original form as well the version with Mingus's overdubbed bass parts. Pianist Paul Bley recorded his first date as leader for Debut, in a trio with Mingus and Art Blakey, and that's here as well.

Mingus's own early work is here in abundance, from early third-stream efforts involving John Lewis and Lee Konitz to the 1955 quintet recordings at the Café Bohemia. What's most astonishing here, though, isn't the cast of greats--such as J.J. Johnson and the Jones brothers Elvin, Thad, and Hank--but the number of largely forgotten musicians with whom Mingus worked. The members of the 1955 band--such as saxophonist George Barrow and trombonist Eddie Bert--weren't well known then or later, but Mingus is clearly pressing them to the point where his own brooding, tempestuous music is beginning to take shape. With its wealth of alternate takes, this is clearly a set for the serious collector, an intimate and detailed portrait of Mingus in an era of tremendous creative ferment. --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All The Early Mingus I Can Handle, September 21, 2000

By	"wednightprayermeeting" (Bellview, CA) - See all my reviews

Wow! Extensive box set. All of this music is above average jazz, but not all of it is up to Mingus' standards. The music on this box was recorded before the initial breakthrough Mingus triumph of "Pithecantropus Erectus."

Mingus formed the small Debut record company in the early '50s with fellow jazz great, drummer Max Roach. Times were hard. Running the company and playing on all the tracks of his own albums, as well as others' albums took quite a toll on Mingus.

Until....Epithany. Mingus found the formula for success by allowing his players a freer, more improv approach, other than sticking to the written out structures. This worked. MINGUS AT THE BOHEMIA, included in it's entirety (which is far more than originally issued on the single album) really shows Mingus coming into his own as a leader.

Early versions of "Haitian Fight Song," and "A Foggy Day" are included, giving insight to each song's developement.

"Rhapsody In Blue," "Jeepers Creepers," "A Night In Tunisia," and "Cherokee" are standouts.

Contains a rare Miles Davis album, "Blue Moods," with Mingus on bass and Elvin Jones on drums. Very cool.

Also contains the entire "Jazz At Massey Hall" concert featuring Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Bud Powell, Max Roach, and ofcourse, Charles Mingus.

If you are interested in the developement of Charles Mingus, this is a prime place to stop.

Very nice packaging and informative booklet.

May be too much material for the casual fan.