Mingus Moves

Mingus Moves
Studio album by Charles Mingus
Released	1973
Recorded	October 29 – 31, 1973
Genre	Jazz
Length	62:34
Label	Atlantic
Producer	Nesuhi Ertegun
Charles Mingus chronology
Charles Mingus and Friends in Concert (1972) Mingus Moves (1973) Mingus at Carnegie Hall (1974)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]

Mingus Moves is a 1973 (see 1973 in music) album by jazz composer and bassist Charles Mingus.

The Music

Mingus Moves (Atlantic SD 1653) is one of the late works of jazz bassist, composer, and bandleader Charles Mingus. He hired three new musicians for the recording: Don Pullen, piano; Ronald Hampton, trumpet; and George Adams, tenor saxophone. In an auspicious development, Mingus's ex-drummer Dannie Richmond, who had gained fame with his many years behind the bassist, rejoined the band on the first day of recording.

The album, although not generally regarded as one of Mingus's greatest, does feature three remarkable compositions: "Canon," " Opus 3," and "Opus 4." "Canon" is a theme, as the title suggests, that can be superimposed upon itself. The song has a spiritual character, a la Coltrane, and is played with a warm sound by Pullen and Adams. This tune was also released on Hal Willner's tribute CD: Weird Nightmare - Meditations on Mingus. "Opus 3" is based on the Mingus's 1957 composition "Pithecanthropus Erectus," in which certain sections are played without key or meter restrictions. "Opus 4" is a straight-ahead swinger that features Don Pullen playing a free solo part.

The other tunes include "Moves," a composition written and sung (along with Honi Gordon) by Doug Hammond, Richmond's predecessor; "Wee," the bop standard, arranged by Sy Johnson, who also worked with Mingus on Let My Children Hear Music (1971) and Mingus and Friends in Concert (1972); "Flowers," written by Adams; and "Newcomer" by Pullen, dedicated to his newborn daughter.

The CD released in 1993 contains the bonus tracks "Big Alice" and "The Call," which were recorded during the same sessions.

Track listing

(All compositions by Mingus except where noted.)

• "Canon" – 5:28
• "Opus 4" – 6:39
• "Moves" (Doug Hammond) – 3:43
• "Wee" (Denzil Best) – 8:57
• "Flowers for a Lady" (George Adams)– 6:44
• "Newcomer" (Don Pullen) – 7:13
• "Opus 3" – 10:26
• "Big Alice" (Pullen) – 5:44 (bonus track)
• "The Call" – 7:13 (bonus track)

Personnel

• Ronald Hampton - Trumpet
• Doug Hammond – Vocals
• Honi Gordon - Vocals
• George Adams - Tenor sax, Flute
• Dannie Richmond - Drums
• Don Pullen - Piano
• Charles Mingus – Bass

External links

• Nat Hentoff: Liner Notes for Mingus Moves (Atlantic)
• Paula Edelstein in allaboutjazz [1]
• Andrew Homzy, in: Charles Mingus, More Than a Fake Book. Hal Leonard Corporation 1991 ISBN 0-7935-0900-9

References

1. ^ Yanow, Scott (2011 [last update]). "Mingus Moves - Charles Mingus | AllMusic". allmusic.com. http://www.allmusic.com/album/mingus-moves-r151338. Retrieved 13 August 2011.