Deserves to be much better known...
William E. Adams | Midland, Texas USA | 02/26/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If I ask a casual fan of '50's jazz to name the album I am about to describe, I know what the answer would be. First the description: A jazz genius creates a suite for large group, in which the influence of a foreign land is dominant. Of course, "Sketches of Spain" by Miles Davis and Gil Evans comes right to mind. But the description fits "Tijuana Moods" as well, and for my tastes, this Charles Mingus project is far more satisfying than the ultra-famous Davis record. Why is "Tijuana" superior? For one thing, it is lively, not melancholy. The Davis work has beauty, but is so unrelentingly somber that I seldom play it. "Tijuana Moods" is great fun, and worth hearing two times in a row. Mingus fanatics already own it, and for casual fans, the price of this package might be too high, but I found mine recently at a huge discount and I am delighted--so you might shop around. It would be hard for me to say this project is better than Charles' Columbia release "Mingus Ah Um"---although done only two years apart, with similar arrangements and some of the same musicians, the two records are quite different in effect. Both are super. The best part of this Bluebird double-disc set is the original "Moods" album issued in 1962 (although recorded in '57.)The first five songs on Disc One give the listener that experience. The rest of CD One are alternate takes of four of those tracks, worth hearing for sure. Disc Two presents more alternate takes, some false starts, some rehearsal or session chatter, and a long poem set to music, but not meant as part of the "Tijuana Moods" package. It also is worth hearing once or twice, but Disc One is the treasure--all 77 minutes are interesting. If you can buy Disc One separately, it might be a better value than the two-disc set. The booklet here is informative, the packaging colorful. Sound quality seems great to me. If you like other Mingus albums, you surely will love this one."
Magnificent music for the ages!
madamemusico | Cincinnati, Ohio USA | 11/15/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"No two ways about it.....Charles Mingus was one of the greatest American composers, regardless of genre, certainly greater than Copland and Gershwin, possibly even greater than Duke Ellington (though, of course, Mingus came partly from Ellington, and Ellington created a completely unique sound-world that had not existed in music before). By co-opting classical composition techniques, applying modal and Eastern scales and harmonies, and skilfully blending in improvised solos and ensembles that both complement and enhance the whole, he created an entirely new vision and sound-world that had not existed before...what he called "jazzical moods."
Tijuana Moods is one of the prime exponents of this style, and in some ways the most perfect. Mingus made sure of this by editing the working tapes himself in the RCA studios prior to release. I personally feel that the earlier, rejected take of "Los Mariachis" is superior to the commercial release, it is sadder and has more feeling though the playing is not as crisp. But no matter which takes you prefer, this is undoubtedly one of the landmarks in 20th century music. High recommended."
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1