This comprises four discs: Shuffle Bass Boogie, a haphazard collection of very early Mingus as a Bebop/Big Band leader from 1946-49 of some historical interest, the important and early Third Stream outing of Jazzical Moods from 1954 – quite essential for fans –; and two discs with 1960 recordings from the Candid label: one is the fantastic compilation Lock 'Em Up (comprising the entire 1961 album Mingus plus additional tracks), and the other is 1960 album Presents Charles Mingus.
CD1
1.Shuffle Bass Boogie (Mingus)-2:54
2.Ain't Jivin' Blues (Mingus - Cryor)-2:54
3.Weird Nightmare (Mingus)-3:03
4.Baby, Take A Chance With Me (Mingus)-2:50
Los Angeles. January, 1946 Karl George, John Plonsky (tp), Henry Coker (tb),
Willie Smith (as). Lucky Thompson (ts) Gene Porter (bar), Wilbert Branco (p). Buddy Harper (g), Charles Mingus (b). Lee Young (d) Claude Trenier (vcl)
5.Bedspread (Collette)-3:04
6.Make Believe (Ralph - Mingus)-2:42
7.This Subdues My Passion (Mingus)-2:52
8.Honey, Take A Chance With Me (Mingus)-3:14
9.Pipe Dream (Baron Mingus)-3:15
Los Angeles. April 20. 1946
Karl George, John Anderson (tp), William Woodman (tsj(bar). Buddy Collette (as)(cl), Britt Woodman (tb). Lady Will Carr (p), Louis Speigner (g), Charles Mingus (b), Chuck Thompson (d)
10.Mingus Fingers (Mingus)-2:59
11.These Foolish Things (Link - Marvel - Strachey)-3:16
Los Angeles, early November 1948
Buddy Collette (as)(cl), Jimmy Bunn (p), Charles Mingus (b). Chuck Thomson (d)
12.He's Gone (Manza - Stevens)-3:30
13.Story Of Love (Mingus)-2:52
San Francisco, mid-February 1949
John Coppola, Vernon Carlson, Allen Smith, Andy Peele (tp), Bob Olney (as)(cl)(fl), Bud Hooven (as), Morrie Stewart, Alex Megyesy, Don Smith (ts). Herb Caro (bar), Haig Eshow, Bob Lowry, Hawes Coleman (tb), Richard Wyands (p), Charles Mingus (b), Caltjader (d), Johnny Berger (perc), Dante Perfumo (fl), Jean McGuire (eel). Herb Gayle (vcl)
14. Pennies From Heaven (Johnston - Burke)-2:24
15. Lyons Roar (Charo - Mingus)-2:35
San Francisco. February 1949
Herb Caro (bar). Buzz Wheeler (p), Charles Mingus (b). Warren Thompson (d).
Herb Gayle (vcl)
16.Say It Isn't So (Berlin)-2:39
17.Boppin' In Boston (Mingus)-2:49
Los Angeles, late February - early TV/larch 1 949
Tommy Alexander (tp). Herb Carp (ts). Bob Lowry (tb), Donn Trenner (p), Charles Mingus (b), Johnny Berger (d) Helen Carr (vcl)
CD2
1.Minor Intrusion (Charles Mingus)-10:11
2.Thrice Upon A Theme (Mingus)-6:39
3.Stormy Weather (Koehler)-3:16
4.The Spur Of the Moment / Echonitus (Mingus)-8:36
5.Four Hands (Mingus - LaPorta)-8:49
6.Abstractions (Macero)-4.13
7.What Is This Thing Called Love (Cole Porter)-8:04
New York City: December 1954
John LaPorta (cl)(as), Teo Macero (ts)(bar), Thad Jones (except "Four Hands" and "Echonitus") (tp), Jackson Wiley (except "Four Hands" and "Spur Of The Moment") (eel), Charles Mingus (b), Clem DeRosa (d)
CD3
1.Folk Forms No.1 (Mingus)-13:04
2.Original Faubus Fables (Mingus)-9:16
3.What Love? (Mingus)-15:22
4.All The Things You Could Be By Now If Sigmund Freud's Wife Was Your Mother
(Mingus)-8:33
New York City, October 20, 1960 Recorded at Nola Penthouse Sound Studios Charles Mingus (b), Ted Curson (tp), Booker Ervin (ts), Dannie Richmond (d)
CD4
1.M D M (Monk, Dure & Mingus) (Mingus)-19:16
2.Stormy Weather (Arlen - Koehler)-13:23
New York City, October 20 1960
Charles Mingus (b), Ted Curson, Lonnie Hilyer (tp), Jimmy Knepper (tp), Britt Woodman, Eric Dolphy (as)(bcl)(fl), Charles McPherson (as), Booker Ervin (ts), Nico Bunik (p), Dannie Richmond (d)
3.Lock' Em Up (Mingus)-6:46
New York City, October 1 1 1960, same
4.Vassarlean (Mingus)-6:37
5.Re - Incarnation Of A Love Bird (Mingus)-9:10
New York City. October 20 1960
Charles Mingus (b), Ted Curson, Lonnie Hilyer (tp), Jimmy Knepper (tp), Britt Woodman, Eric Dolphy (as)(bcl)(fl), Charles McPherson (as), Booker Ervin (ts), Nico Bunik (p), Dannie Richmond (d)
