Essential recording from legendary jazz bassist Charles Mingus. Blues & Roots was originally recorded in 1959 and Mingus' direct response to critics saying that his ambitious music somehow did not swing enough. Working at the behest of Atlantic Records' iconic producer Nesuhi Ertegun, Mingus turned to the blues, gospel and New Orleans jazz for inspiration. The resulting LP, although not as eclectic as earlier releases, is fulled with buoyant, soulful energy. The nine piece ensemble that was assembled for the recording is filled with heavy hitting Mingus collaborators. John Handy and Jackie McLean on alto sax, Booker Ervin on tenor, Pepper Adams' deep bari-sax, and Jimmy Knepper and Willie Dennis on trombones made for quite a deep crew. There's a looseness to the whole affair which gives the recording the desired free swinging vibe. Six tracks in all. Released by Atlantic on 180 gram vinyl.

• 180 gram vinyl pressing
• music label: Atlantic 2016

reviewed by Cool Hand