This pair of 1960 studio sessions represents some of
Charles Mingus' best arrangements. Leading the smaller of two groups, he interpolates "Exactly Like You" into a driving version of "Take the 'A' Train" and adds a soulful blues, "Prayer for Passive Resistance," both of which feature great solos by tenor saxophonists
Booker Ervin,
Yusef Lateef, and
Joe Farrell. A much larger ensemble is utilized on three tracks, including the advanced bop "Mingus Fingus No. 2" and "Bemoanable Lady," which features a rather strangely conservative alto sax solo by
Eric Dolphy. Less successful are
Lorraine Curson's vocals on the dissonant "Eclipse" and pulsating "Weird Nightmare." But this reissue, re-released previously under the title Mingus Revisited, has received a superb 24-bit remastering and also includes a number of photos from the sessions. ~ Ken Dryden