This mammoth 12-CD box set may not contain
Charles Mingus' most significant recordings (those would take place shortly after these sessions), but there is a remarkable amount of exciting and somewhat innovative music in this reissue of all of the dates recorded for
Mingus' Debut label. There are duets and trios with pianist
Spaulding Givens, a variety of odd third stream originals (some with vocalist
Jackie Paris and altoist
Lee Konitz), the famous Massey Hall concert with
Charlie Parker and
Dizzy Gillespie (heard in two versions, one with
Mingus' overdubbed bass), a four-trombone date with
J.J. Johnson,
Kai Winding,
Bennie Green, and
Willie Dennis, trio sets with pianists
Paul Bley,
Hazel Scott, and the obscure
John Dennis, a quintet with trumpeter
Thad Jones and
Frank Wess on tenor and flute,
Miles Davis' "Alone Together" session, a date led by trombonist
Jimmy Knepper, a completely unissued 1957 sextet session, and -- most importantly -- a greatly expanded live session with trombonist
Eddie Bert and tenor saxophonist
George Barrow that found
Mingus finally finding himself musically. Many of these performances are now also available in smaller sets, but this attractive box (which has 64 previously unissued tracks among the 169 selections) is the best way to acquire this valuable music. ~ Scott Yanow