One of the great Mingus albums for Atlantic – and a record that brings together material from 2 different
sessions: one from 1957, with Shafi Hadi on alto; and another from 1961, with Roland Kirk and Booker Ervin on saxes. The '57
session has a raw quintet sound, and features some haunting solos by Hadi, who was one of Mingus' best players, but who doesn't always get his due. On the other
session, Kirk and Ervin are youthful, firey, and frenetic – and they play with passion as Mingus backs them up on piano (Doug Watkins plays bass on the
session). Despite the split nature of the album, it's still one of Mingus' best. Titles include "Tonight At Noon", "
Invisible Lady", "Peggy's Blue Skylight", and "Passions Of A Woman Loved". Great French reissue, with the original cover and everything!
(2000 Label M pressing.)