United Artists were major players in the film industry in 1962 but not so much in the record business. They often lacked the quality of releases by Blue Note, Atlantic, Savoy and Prestige, not to mention the big boys like RCA and Columbia. So, it must have seemed like a major scoop for producer Alan Douglas when he managed to get Duke, Roach and Mingus into the studio for a trio album.
The LP was a big hit and talking point at the time. Downbeat called it an astonishing album and rated it five stars. Only Miles Davis disagreed, saying it was ridiculous and that Duke couldn’t play with Roach and Mingus, and they could play together but not with Duke. Did he really think that? Could three seasoned jazzmen play the blues together and produce fresh, exciting music? Of course they could.
It was reported to be a stormy session and that is borne out by the title track. Mingus is at his provocative, aggressive best, pushing Duke all the way in a fiery performance. Roach is more restrained but adds to the compulsive swing. Duke is jagged and yes, most unlike his usual self.
The most impressive tracks here are the blues – Very Special, Switchblade and Backward Country Boy Blues. The blues forms the main ingredient in this programme although Duke shines in his ballad interpretations. Warm Valley in particular works very well. Mostly, though, Duke plays in a much more modern manner – dissonant at times but inventive and hardly, as he himself is said to have advised Roach and Mingus to treat him, “like a poor man’s Bud Powell”.
These three got together in a once in a lifetime recording session and left some fascinating, interesting and mostly inventive music on tape. Most jazz enthusiasts who don’t already have it will love it. This reissue comes in 180-gram blue vinyl and a glossy cover.
Discography
Money Jungle; Fleurette Africaine; Very Special; Warm Valley; Switch Blade (22.39) – Wig Wise; Caravan; Solitude; A Little Max; Backward Country Boy Blues (22.51)
Duke Ellington (p); Charles Mingus (b); Max Roach (d). NYC, 17 September 1962.
20th Century Masterworks Coloured Series 350262
