Charles Mingus Mingus Takes Manhattan- The Complete Birdland Dates: 1961 - 1962

Mingus Takes Manhattan collects together Charles Mingus’ run of
dates at the world famous Birdland, New York from 1961-1962,
released here officially for the first time ever in conjunction with the
Mingus Estate.

The original reel-to-reel tapes used to record the radio broadcasts
were tracked down, cleaned and remastered especially for this
release. Previously only issued in bootleg form, the recordings
enclosed feature Mingus in the midst of a highly creative spell.
Alternating between bass and piano during these sets features a
rotating band of heavy hitters including Yusef Lateef, Roland Kirk,
Jaki Byard, Booker Ervin, Pepper Adams as well as Mingus
mainstays Charles McPherson, Dannie Richmond and others.
Located in a basement in the Bronx, these incredibly rare recordings
are given their best sonic outing since 1962. At the centre of this
package is a 44-page book with a foreword from Christian
McBride, a highly informative 15,000 word essay from Brian
Priestley and a new interview with Charles McPherson, giving
context and inside information to the dates and the time. All of this is
illustrated with slick design and rare photographs and ephemera
throughout.

Hot on the heels of the critically lauded Dorothy Ashby 6-LP box
set, and a string of releases featuring Gerry Mulligan, Blue Mitchell,
Howard McGhee and Charles Mingus, New Land return with
another vital box set.