The recordings Charles Mingus made for Candid Records have become the stuff of legend. The first time he was given complete creative freedom in the studio, Mingus took full advantage, pushing his band—and himself—to new heights while charting the path jazz would take over the next decade.
Mingus is the second of the albums produced during those sessions and stands proudly alongside Charles Mingus Presents Charles Mingus as an essential, immersive trip into Mingus’ singular genius. Out of print for nearly 40 years, the revitalized Candid Records has gone back to the original art and the original master tape for a reissue arguably beer than any of the copies trading for hundreds online. Whether on 180-gram vinyl or CD, Bernie Grundman’s mastering brings Mingus back to life as fiercely as he must have been in New York’s Nola Penthouse Studios all those years ago.