Audio CD review:
Duke Ellington, Charlie Mingus, Max Roach - Money Jungle

Duke Ellington, Charlie Mingus, Max Roach - Money Jungle

Band: Duke Ellington, Charlie Mingus, Max Roach Title: Money Jungle Rating: Release Date: 16 July, 2002 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Money Jungle 2: Fleurette Africaine 3: Very Special 4: Warm Valley 5: Wig Wise 6: Caravan 7: Solitude 8: Switch Blade 9: A Little Max (Parfait) 10: REM Blues 11: Backward Country Boy Blues 12: Solitude (alternate take) 13: Switch Blade (alternate take) 14: A Little Max (Parfait) (alternate take) 15: REM Blues (alternate take)

Editoral Review It's no wonder that the tension between Duke Ellington, Max Roach, and Charlie Mingus is thick and extremely tangible, permeating this breathtaking 1962 album with passion and aggression. What an alliance: a legendary bandleader and composer, a pioneering bop drummer, and an unclassifiable (and often prickly) bass behemoth. On the jagged blues "Very Special," Ellington establishes a weighty mood while his piano work almost borders on free jazz. Roach's sticks dance and prance across every inch of his kit on "A Little Max"; on "Caravan" he effectively shifts from exotic rhythms to straight time. Duke's harmonic invention is delicate and mysterious on "Fleurette Africaine," but simultaneously jarring and cerebral on the confrontational "Wig Wise. " It's hard to believe only three people are creating the stomping, disjointed monster that is the title track. Ellington alone emphasizes the beautiful melodies of the classic ballads "Soltitude" and "Warm Valley," but the edge returns when the rhythm section joins him. Mingus, who actually idolized Ellington, seems to be purposely agitating the master, almost taunting him. You'd say the synergy was magical, except that they seem to be working against each other. --Marc Greilsamer .. You can see a complete list of all Duke Ellington, Charlie Mingus, Max Roach discography, or go back to the Duke Ellington, Charlie Mingus, Max Roach tabs