LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

‘Blues & Roots’ is an album by American jazz double bassist, composer, and bandleader Charles Mingus, recorded in 1959 and released in 1960. This record is unusual for Mingus since it presents only one part of his musical world, the blues. He explained the origins of this record in critics saying he didn’t swing enough. He was born swinging and clapping his hands in church as a little boy, so he decided to show them that blues can do more than just swing. Both Q Magazine and DownBeat rated the album with 4 Stars and called it “…vital and important music…[Mingus] is outstanding in his solo work…this is something worth careful and thorough listening…”

Track Listing:

• Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting 05:39
• Cryin’ Blues 04:58
• Moanin’ 07:57
• Tensions 06:27
• My Jelly Roll Soul 06:47
• E’s Flat Ah’s Flat Too 06:37