Charlie Mingus "East Coasting" original Bethlehem pressing.This is one of my favorite Mingus albums of all time, and I have run his body of work.
It does not fit into any bucket -- none.
It is a masterpiece of late night swing and noir voicings in a mist just like the cover. A young Bill Evans is on piano, and the rest of the cats on this LP will be familiar only to Mingus' enthusiasts. Evans stretches out as well. If you are an Evans fan, listen to his comping throughout the entire flow.
I would have to call it a cohesive tone poem. A mood all the way through. And yes, low light listening.
Ran it through a friend's Degritter today and well, wow, the band is in the room now. I also believe original Bethlehem original recordings are way underrated fidelity wise, crackles and all.
Next up -- Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers at the Olympia on Fontana original pressing. Whipped, clean, and ready to roll.
