Charles Mingus Passions of a Man:Complete Atlantic Recordings 1956-1961 6xCD Box 120 page Book

Passions of a Man: The Complete Atlantic Recordings (1956-1961) presents an interesting problem. There's little arguing that the music on Passions of a Man is seminal, ranking among his very best recordings. The question is whether the six-disc set is indispensable, considering that it is low on unreleased material and boasts one full interview disc. All of Mingus' Atlantic recordings between 1956 and 1961 are included in session order, with alternate takes of "E's Flat Ah's Flat Too," "My Jelly Roll Soul," "Tensions," and "Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting" being added to disc three. The interview is interesting, yet most listeners will be content to hear it only once, so it simply adds time to the set. Still, the cost is justified -- Passions of a Man is beautifully produced, sporting sparkling remastered sound, new liner notes as well as the original album liner notes, a complete Atlantic discography, and rare photos. For fans who have yet to purchase copies of The Clown, Mingus at Antibes, or Oh Yeah, it's an essential purchase, but those who already own those discs might find too much repetition and not enough bonuses to make it worthwhile.

Pithecanthropus Erectus is a studio album by jazz composer and bassist Charles Mingus. It was released in August 1956 through Atlantic Records.Mingus noted that this was the first album where he taught arrangements to his musicians by ear instead of putting the chords and arrangements in writing.

The Clown is a studio album by the jazzbassist and composer Charles Mingus. It was released in September 1957 through Atlantic Records. The recording took place on February 13 and March 12, 1957. The title track features the improvised narration of Jean Shepherd.

Tonight at Noon is an album of music by the jazz bassist and composer Charles Mingus. It was released through Atlantic Records in July 1964. It compiles tracks recorded at two sessions – the 1957 sessions for the album entitled The Clown and the 1961 sessions for Oh Yeah. These tracks have since been added to the CD re-releases of their respective albums as bonus tracks.

Oh Yeah is a studio album by the American jazz musician and composer Charles Mingus. It was released in April 1962 through Atlantic Records. It was recorded in 1961, and features Mingus playing piano rather than his usual upright bass, and also singing on three songs.

Mingus at Antibes was originally issued by BYG Records under the title Charles Mingus Live With Eric Dolphy in Japan in 1974. It was recorded at a live 1960 performance at the Jazz à Juan festival at Juan-les-Pins by jazz bassist and composer Charles Mingus; and was re-released by Atlantic Records in more complete form as a double album with the title Mingus In Antibes in the United States in 1979.

Blues & Roots is an album by Charles Mingus, recorded in 1959 and released on the Atlantic label in 1960. It has been reissued on CD by both Atlantic and Rhino.

Word from Bird is an album by American jazz vibraphonist Teddy Charles released on the Atlantic label in 1957 with Charles Mingus