Charlie Mingus – The Rare Albums Collection – 4CD

Among the most inspirational and innovative composers and musicians of the 20th Century, Charles Mingus remains perhaps jazz music's most accomplished bass player and amongst its most formidable pianists. His extensive back catalogue of recordings set a new standard in experimentation, blending as it does hard bop with elements of gospel, blues, classical and avant-garde. With a fearsome reputation as a bandleader too, Mingus' guidance resulted in some of the finest performances from the best musicians ever to grace the jazz genre, and his long-standing influence is as potent today as ever it was. This 4CD Set brings together eight of Charles Mingus' lesser known albums, all released during his glory years, between 1952 and 1964. Each LP featured remains a classic in its own right despite their commercial scarcity and often underrated status. With full original release details and complete musician lists for each record, this set provides over 5 hours of Charles Mingus' musical genius. Available here once again in perfect remastered sound, this collection will prove a delight for long term fans and Mingus beginners alike, offering as it does the chance of completing collections of this legendary jazz maestro universally.

Track Listing:

CD1:
1. This Subdues My Passion - 2:53   2. Honey, Take a Chance With Me - 3:15   3. Story of Love - 2:54   4. He’s Gone - 3:32   5. Precognition - 2:47   6. Portrait - 3:13   7. Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting - 12:08   8. Prayer for Passive Resistance - 8:16   9. What Love - 10:33   10. I'll Remember April - 9:12   11. Folk Forms - 10:15   12. Better Git Hit in Your Soul - 11:35

CD2:
1. Reincarnation of a Lovebird No.2 - 7:02   2. Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams (And Dream Your Troubles Away) - 3:58   3. R&R - 11:55   4. Bugs - 8:28   5. Myself When I Am Real - 7:38   6. I Can't Get Started - 3:43   7. Body and Soul - 4:34   8. Roland Kirk's Message - 2:43   9. Memories of You - 4:38   10. She’s Just Miss Popular Hybrid - 3:11   11. Orange Was the Color of Her Dress, Then Silk Blues - 4:16   12. Meditations for Moses - 3:41   13. Old Portrait - 3:48   14. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You - 3:46   15. Compositional Theme Story: Medleys, Anthems and Folklore - 8:36

CD3:
1. So Long Eric - 17:49   2. Praying With Eric - 24:40   3. New Fables - 20:07   4. Meditation (For a Pair of Wire Cutters) - 20:30

CD4:
1. Duke Ellington Medley: 1. I've Got It Bad - 4:15   2. In a Sentimental Mood - 1:46   3. All Too Soon - 1:53   4. Mood Indigo - 0:59   5. Sophisticated Lady - 1:46   6. A Train - 13:54   7. Orange Was the Color of Her Dress, Then Blue Silk - 13:04   8. Meditations on Integration  - 22:49