Passions of a Man: Complete Atlantic Recordings

Digitally remastered and repackaged edition of this six CD box set. Charles Mingus's Atlantic recordings represent the first full realization of his immensely original talent, pressing the boundaries to create an ever more fluent, expressive music. The set highlights the appearance of sidemen who could participate fully in Mingus's visionary work, including trombonist Jimmy Knepper and drummer Dannie Richmond. The multi-reed player Eric Dolphy was unquestionably his greatest collaborator. The live recordings from the 1960 Antibes Jazz Festival present what may well have been Mingus's greatest band, with Dolphy's leaping, skittering, free-jazz virtuosity effectively contrasted with Booker Ervin's booting, full-toned tenor. The final Atlantic session presents another change in direction, with Mingus switching to piano and singing some manic blues in the company of Roland Kirk, another musician well attuned to Mingus's always complex aims.