Post bop masterpiece from American jazz legend Charles Mingus. Ah Um was originally recorded in 1959 and drew on the influence of Mingus' musical ancestors. It was the storied bassist's debut for Columbia and he turned in a recording that captured all of his talents. The set is extremely varied, encompassing the spiritual ecstasy of "Better Get It in Your Soul," complete with gospel shouts and the mockery of segregationist Arkansas governor Orval Faubus on "Fables of Faubus" (the censored lyrics can be found on Charles Mingus Presents Charles Mingus). There's a tribute to recently deceased saxophonist Lester Young on the slow moving "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" and the aggressive swing of "Boogie Stop Shuffle." And Mingus offers up nods to jazz greats Duke Ellington and Jelly Roll Morton on their namesake songs. With all that and more Ah Um comes the closest to being the definitive Mingus album. Nine tracks in all. Released by Jazz Images on 180 gram virgin vinyl housed in a sleeve with new cover art featuring iconic photos by Jean-Pierre Leloir.

• limited edition
• 180 gram virgin vinyl reissue
• new cover art featuring iconic photos by Jean-Pierre Leloir
• deluxe gatefold sleeve
• music label: Jazz Images 2016

reviewed by Cool Hand 06/2017