Charles Mingus – Presents Charles Mingus VG+/VG

Charles Mingus Presents Charles Mingus is a jazz album by the double bassist and composer Charles Mingus, recorded in October 1960 and released in December of the same year¹. The album features a quartet of Mingus, Eric Dolphy on alto saxophone and bass clarinet, Ted Curson on trumpet, and Dannie Richmond on drums. The album is known for its blend of tradition and innovation, as well as its political commentary on racism and censorship. The album contains four tracks, each showcasing the improvisational skills and musical chemistry of the band. The tracks are:

• Folk Forms, No. 1: A 13-minute piece based on a rhythmic pattern that changes according to Mingus’ bass playing. The piece is influenced by New Orleans jazz and blues, and features solos by Dolphy and Curson.
• Original Faubus Fables: A 9-minute piece that criticizes the segregationist governor of Arkansas, Orval Faubus, who opposed the integration of Little Rock Central High School in 1957. The piece was originally recorded with lyrics sung by Mingus and Richmond, but they were censored by the record company and replaced with instrumental solos. The lyrics were later restored in a reissue of the album.
• What Love?: A 15-minute piece that explores various moods and emotions related to love, from joy to sorrow. The piece is loosely structured and allows for free improvisation by the band members.
• All the Things You Could Be by Now if Sigmund Freud’s Wife Was Your Mother: An 8-minute piece that has a humorous and absurd title, inspired by a book by Sheldon Kopp. The piece is fast-paced and energetic, with complex harmonies and rhythms.

Charles Mingus Presents Charles Mingus is widely regarded as one of Mingus’ best albums, and one of the most influential jazz albums of all time. It has received critical acclaim from various sources, such as AllMusic, The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings, and The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide. The album is part of The Penguin Guide to Jazz’s “Core Collection”.