MINGUS, CHARLES - Pithecanthropus Erectus (Sealed) (LP)

1956's Pithecanthropus Erectus is the Charles Mingus record where he really begins to take hold of his own personal vision of how jazz music could look. After cutting his teeth on the L.A. scene and touring with Louis Armstrong and Lionel Hampton, Mingus moved to New York, began Debut Records with Max Roach, and entered into the most productive and creative decade of his career. This album is held in the same esteem as Mingus Ah-Um and The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady among jazz aficionados, and one need listen no further than the 10 minute title track, a tone poem about the rise and fall of man which includes one of the earliest free jazz / improvisation segments put to tape. Absolutely essential jazz from the late great Charles Mingus on Wax Love.