Pithecanthropus Erectus

Charles Mingus

Price

CA$ 53.99

Few in stock

Expected delivery Nov 13 - 18

Christmas presents can be returned until 31 January

Our customers say:

14-day return policy in accordance with European consumer protection law

Top ranking on Trustpilot

Add to your iMusic wish list

Also available as:

Japan Import edition

(2016) CA$ 22.79

Limited Japan edition

(2018) CA$ 68.99

LP (2024) CA$ 105.59

Pithecanthropus Erectus

Charles Mingus

"Pithecanthropus Erectus" - Jackie McLean (as); J. R. Monterose (ts); Mal Waldron (p); Charlie Mingus (b); Willie Jones (dr)

It was a fairly ordinary quintet that entered the Audio-Video Studios in New York City on 30 January 1956: one tenor saxophone, one alto saxophone, a pianist, a drummer and ... you guessed: an extraordinary man on the double bass! Not just an instrumentalist, but also an imaginative composer, wayfarer between all kinds of jazz, arranger and enfant terrible.

The Suite "Pithecanthropus Erectus" is - among other things - programme music. Having learned to walk upright, having achieved alleged superiority over animals, and having caused devastation, the destruction of mankind's natural resources follows. The composer Mingus gives his fellow mankind/musicians the widest possible freedom, which all exploit to the full both in interplay and in the solos. Bedded down in noise and sound collages, the piece is the result of an experimental workshop. The Gershwin classic "A Foggy Day" takes on the role of intermediary between the jazz styles of the 1930s and free jazz. And in "Profile Of Jackie" and "Love Chant" the arranger calls for his soloists to go to the very limits of their artistic improvisation.

Charles Mingus was certainly not an easy person to deal with for his family, friends and fellow musicians. But that fades into the background when it comes to such outstanding music. Luckily, we outsiders can once again enjoy the music of this genius 60 years after the studio recording, in its original format.

Recording: January 1956 at Audio-Video Studios, New York City by Tom Dowd & Hal Lustig in mono

Production: Nesuhi Ertegun

180G VINYL/33RPM/STANDARD SLEEVE