CHARLES MINGUS - Blues & Roots (Reissue) - LP - Yellow Vinyl [NOV 29]

LP - Limited Edition Yellow Vinyl (2024 Reissue)

Blues & Roots is not only a cornerstone in Charles Mingus' body of work but also a testament to the enduring power of the blues as a foundation for jazz Mingus managed to both honour tradition and push the boundaries of jazz, all while making a deeply personal and politically charged musical statement. The album remains one of the most vital and infuential recordings in the history of jazz music.

Released in 1960 this album stands out in Mingus' discography as a raw, vibrant homage to the roots of blues and gospel traditions in jazz. Mingus sought to return to
his musical roots, drawing from blues and gospel traditions he grew up with, particularly from the African American church music of his youth. The album is a powerful statement of how deeply the blues tradition infuenced modern jazz. It combines the unfltered emotional intensity of the blues with Mingus' forward-thinking and often unconventional compositional techniques. The album's tracks are imbued with a strong sense of the blues, which is especially apparent in songs like "Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting" and "Moanin'." The album carries a loose, jamsession feel, refecting the church and street-based roots of blues music. The use of call-and-response patterns in several tracks also hints at gospel traditions. 

Blues & Roots is often cited as a critical album in the development of jazz as a genre that embraced both its past and future. Mingus' ability to integrate traditional musical forms (such as blues and gospel) with more modern, experimental elements opened up new possibilities for jazz. His compositional style, which juxtaposed tightly
arranged sections with freewheeling solos, influenced generations of musicians, from avant-garde jazz artists to rock musicians and composers in other genres.

Tracklist: 

Side A
1. Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting    [5:39]
2. Cryin' Blues    [4:58] 
3. Moanin'    [7:57]

Side B
1. Tensions    [6:27]
2. My Jelly Roll Soul    [6:47]
3. E's Flat Ah's Flat Too    [6:37]