Charles Mingus – Mingus Ah Um (Music On Vinyl)

The critics argue whether Ah Um or rather The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady is the definitive Mingus album. What is certain is that this 1959 recording presents a comparatively straightforward bassist Mingus as composer and leader.

The individual pieces are very different and yet accessible at all times. With Better Git it in Your Soul, a gospel-inspired piece as opener, Goodbye Pork Pie Hat, a slow obituary to the recently deceased Lester Young, and Fables of Faubus, a musical parody of the governor of Arkansas, three pieces became jazz classic.