Charles Mingus Changes: The Complete 1970s Atlantic Studio Recordings 8LP Box Set

TAS Rated 5/5 Music, 4/5 Sonics in the October 2023 Issue of The Absolute Sound!

In 1973 Atlantic Records began its second period of recording with Mingus, which resulted in seven studio albums. The story of a new phase in Mingus' music - his last phase - begins with the recordings in this boxed set. Featuring all of his 1970s output for Atlantic Records, all configurations of the album include previously unreleased outtakes of "Big Alice," "The Call" and "Music For Todo Modo." There is also an extra set of takes of "Big Alice" and "The Call" on an Outtakes disc exclusive to the vinyl format.

This box presents the opportunity for a major reappraisal of this important yet under-recognized era of Mingus' work.

These seven studio recordings for Atlantic chronicle the final chapter of the great bassist and prolific composer. On Mingus Moves (1973), Don Pullen and George Adams make a great tag team, boldly straddling an inside-outside aesthetic with rolling avant-ish piano figures and passionate tenor intensity on 'Opus 4,' 'Wee,' "Flowers for a Lady,' and the New Orleans second line-flavored 'Big Alice.' On 1974's Changes One, Mingus introduces his gorgeous 'Duke Ellington's Sound of Love' while 1975's Changes Two introduces his protest song 'Free Cell Block F, 'Tis Nazi U.S.A.' Three or Four Shades of Blues (1977) introduces guitarists John Scofield, Philip Catherine, and Larry Coryell on a blazing blues-gospel-fusion romp through 'Better Git Hit in Your Soul,' a swinging 'Nobody Knows,' and a delicate 'Goodbye Pork Pie Hat' on acoustic guitars. Cumbia & Jazz Fusion (1978) features a large cast and includes music from Mingus' soundtrack to Todo Modo. The posthumously released Me, Myself an Eye and Something Like a Bird are both all-star sessions.