Search - Charles Mingus :: Cumbia & Jazz Fusion

Cumbia & Jazz Fusion
Charles Mingus
Cumbia & Jazz Fusion
Genres: Jazz, Pop
 
  •  Track Listings (4) - Disc #1

Featuring two of Charles Mingus's last major works, the 1978 Cumbia & Jazz Fusion is typically ambitious and exciting. The 28-minute title track merges a winning theme played on reeds and Latin percussion, full-on big-...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Charles Mingus
Title: Cumbia & Jazz Fusion
Members Wishing: 2
Total Copies: 0
Label: Rhino / Wea
Original Release Date: 1/1/1978
Re-Release Date: 9/20/1994
Genres: Jazz, Pop
Styles: Avant Garde & Free Jazz, Modern Postbebop, Swing Jazz, Bebop
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 081227178529

Synopsis

Amazon.com
Featuring two of Charles Mingus's last major works, the 1978 Cumbia & Jazz Fusion is typically ambitious and exciting. The 28-minute title track merges a winning theme played on reeds and Latin percussion, full-on big-band passages, and a burlesque of "Shortnin' Bread" that climaxes in cries of "Freedom! Freedom!" One of a kind, to be sure. "Todo Modo" covers nearly as much ground, moving between a gloomy theme and inspired upbeat passages with grand sax solos by George Adams. This CD edition adds two short takes of Mingus's solo piano on a medley of "The Wedding March" and his own "Slow Waltz." The maestro was to make only two more albums, but his physical decline is belied by the music's power. --Rickey Wright

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CD Reviews

A must have. There is simply nothing like it.
Chris Stockel | Chestnut Hill, MA United States | 10/29/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)

"The two songs on this are some of Mingus' most intricate and complex compositions. The title track comes at you like a mack truck, using heavy rhythmic patterns, mixing minor and major keys, incorporating bassoons and piccolo flutes, and pounding a 5 note bass line. It continues to journey through many moods, all the while using amazing horn lines. Both tracks are pure compositional genius, rich in texture, sophisticated in melody and harmony, and overall amazing to listen to. Enjoy"
This album swings -- don't let the word "fusion" throw you
Chris Stockel | 09/04/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have the original LP -- two pieces of music -- one on each side. Both pieces are great and have several "movements", presented more like a symphony. Each one has sections that shift in and out of blues and swing. Then move into a more South American flavor, then stop time ballad intrusions. I love Cumbia Jazz Fusion for the variety and also the vocal lyrics of Mama's Little Baby (it brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. Even though this was his last recording session (according to Sue Mingus's marvelous new book, "Tonight at Midnight".) is full on Mingus through and through. The conga playing is provocative and at one point builds to a thrilling conclusion. Every chance I get a spare 27 minutes I put it on the turntable. As the liner notes say this is "Mingus Music"."
Better than you might think
PH-50-NC | Southeast USA | 05/03/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you save 5 stars for Mingus Ah-Um and Charles Mingus Presents Charles Mingus, then this must rate just below those standouts. With the words "Jazz Fusion" in the title, and the fact that the Lp originally contained two tracks only (side A/side B), I put off getting this record--sounded like aimless jamming or pretentious overreaching. Well, I was wrong. It is simply enjoyable, and its a shame that others may be scared away by an awkward title and a lack of description about the work's various movements. Like an Ellington suite (say the Far East), there are distinct movements, none inaccessable. There are wonderful touches of exotica, including percussion touches from the tropics, and a few wildlife sounds thrown in at the beginning for good measure. All in all, I like this more than I like some of the better-known earlier Mingus records, though not more than the Columbia or Candid recordings, which are for me the tops."