Description:
Recorded in New York in 1957 (though not released until 1962), Tijuana Moods was, according to Mingus himself, "the best album I ever made." The music is a vigorous stew of Mexican rhythms and sophisticated post-Ellington arrangements, further invigorated by the soloing of trumpeter Clarence Shaw, trombonist Jimmy Knepper, and, particularly, saxophonist Shafi Hadi. Mingus's vision of Tijuana was clearly sensual, the music evoking strippers, frenetic street scenes, and heart-broken lovers. Making use of suitelike thematic material and various forms of counterpoint, the group sounds much larger than it is, and points tow
Recorded in New York in 1957 (though not released until 1962), Tijuana Moods was, according to Mingus himself, "the best album I ever made." The music is a vigorous stew of Mexican rhythms and sophisticated post-Ellington arrangements, further invigorated by the soloing of trumpeter Clarence Shaw, trombonist Jimmy Knepper, and, particularly, saxophonist Shafi Hadi. Mingus's vision of Tijuana was clearly sensual, the music evoking strippers, frenetic street scenes, and heart-broken lovers. Making use of suitelike thematic material and various forms of counterpoint, the group sounds much larger than it is, and points toward Mingus's later experiments with form. The bristling sound and spirit of the music, however, are its primary attractions--a remarkable place where Mexican fantasy and hard bop meet. The second disc consists of outtakes and a long-lost remnant of the original recording session, "A Colloquial Dream," a poem about jazz narrated by Lonnie Elder and set to programmatic music by Mingus. It's a worthy addition to his legacy, but Tijuana Moods is the highlight here. --Wally Shoup
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Manufacturer: RCA
Release date: 25 September 2001
EAN: 0090266384020 UPC: 090266384020
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