After bassist/composer Charles Mingus' death on January 5, 1979, a reunion band featuring some of his former sidemen called
Mingus Dynasty was formed. Cut just six months after the bassist's demise, this album was the first
Mingus Dynasty recording, and it has its moments. Such alumni as altoist
John Handy, trombonist
Jimmy Knepper, trumpeter
Jimmy Owens, and tenorman
Joe Farrell meet up with two members of Mingus' last major band (pianist
Don Pullen and drummer
Dannie Richmond), plus bassist
Charlie Haden, who ably fills in for the late bandleader. In addition to "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" (which was becoming popular at the time), the septet performs three numbers from Mingus' collaboration with
Joni Mitchell, plus "Boogie Stop Shuffle" and "My Jelly Roll Soul."
Handy and
Pullen, in particular, fare well in this spirited setting, although one does miss the innovative bassist. ~ Scott Yanow