Charlie Mingus: Mingus Ah Um

In summer 1985 I bought Jazz Masters of the 50s from Heffers, and worked my way through it to get a jazz education. Was I always this over-earnest about music? Apparently so.

The book was my manual for buying jazz for a few years after that, and I think Mingus Ah Um was one of the first. There are a few pages on the album in the book, about the soul and even gospel influences. Here's another appreciation.

It's immediately accessible, with great tunes and rhythms. I think one or more of the tracks featured in the Absolute Beginners film, though I've never seen it (ah, just confirmed that, though it was Gil Evans versions of the Mingus tunes).

But, God, what possessed CBS to put it out in this disgusting cover? Look at the original cover: pretty damn good by any standards. So why replace it with an abomination that no jazz lover would want to be seen dead with?

I wonder how many people even get the album title these days.

MusicBrainz entry for this album