Reviews (page 7 of 13)
I was peer pressured to give it a 4
Great jazz, by great jazz man
I like it. I feel like any good Jazz is almost always at least a 4 for me. I especially liked Track B where it sounded like he was almost singing through the horn while also playing it, very cool effect.
Ok
I know the name but have never listened to any of his stuff. Never heard this before but it's really nice. I'm always slightly amazed at how crisp and clear all the instruments sound in the classic jazz albums. On first listening, 4 stars, but could be higher with more time
A woozy opus.
Good soup
Nalla vill inte ha sås, noll A1
Väkevä! 4/5
Mingus on aina hyvä, ei siinä sen kummempaa.
Azong jazz album. Honestly it did feel a bit busy but the more I focused on individual instruments the more I enjoyed it
Very interesting jazz. 8/10
Wild, shifting time signatures that sway back and forth all over the place. An abrasive clash of styles and emotion on an album that is edgy and sprawling, but one that majorly swings and is sleazy as fuck.
Some unusual jazz, will definitely be revisiting this one
Who doesn’t love some absolutely fire classic jazz?
Molto affascinante e sperimentale. Mi piace.
Reviewing as mostly a jazz novice, I like this quite a bit. I briefly studied Mingus in college and enjoy instrumental jazz infinitely more than vocal - this has an interesting continuity to it, definitely worthy as a full-album listen rather than any one of the tracks by themselves. The only part I don't love personally is the flamenco-ish parts in the final suite - it's just not a favourite style for me - but musically it's still impressive how the band can transition from one section and one genre to another so well. Funny note at 5:25 of the final cut, listen for someone (Mingus?) yelling "goddamnit" in the right channel :D 8/10 4 stars
really good, love the inclusion of a guitar
Liked this. Good background music for work but was also interesting enough to keep me entertained. Might be something I would listen to again.
Massive energy throughout, still sounds innovative, full of positivity and dynamics. Fabulous
I feel like I would appreciate this more if I was a lot smarter and smoked a pipe.
good one !
Groovy
I have certainly heard of Charles Mingus before, but I am not aware of being familiar with any of his music specifically. This is not generally a type of music that I enjoy, and I found this album within my range of listenable. I found the tracks theatrical. I can imagine dancers on a stage conveying a story as I listen. There were some stretches when I didn't appreciate the sounds of the story, but then it would bring me back. So, I have respect for what is happening on this album, but it won't go on into my everyday-listening rotation.
This one is tough for me to rate, as I have very little experience with jazz. Going in I knew I was really out of my element here and ill-equipped to understand (let alone rate!) an album like this. The first time through I pretty much tried to get my bearings. It was clear that I was listening to some really talented musicians who were really putting it out there. I loved the low saxes, muted trumpets, tinkly piano even though I was often unsure and at times uncomfortable with what was happening musically. But even on that first listen my novice ears found moments of delight, like when the Spanish guitar would jump in. I listened to this a few more times and on each listen I had moments where I was having flashes of just flowing along with the music. A few times this occurred during the cacophonious passages and suddenly something highly structured surfaced and felt like a revelation. I shouldn't be surprised that listening to my first orchestral jazz album is challenging. This isn't an album I could expect to play in the background or even relax to right now... I still have a lot of work to do first. I've added this to my music library as an aspirational act in the hopes that I will do more work on this album and with jazz in general. Rounding this one up to a 4 although I'm hoping some future version of me will want to change it to a 5.
I dont really feel "qualified" to judge this album as I've never been a big jazz guy. However I know what I like, and I like this.i will definitely come back to this one again.
8/10
So, it's funny we listened to this after the Brubeck album. Whereas the Brubeck album seems very clean and prepared, this is very experimental and out there. I know that's what Mingus was going for, but that last track, man... wow. It is definitely something I was not prepared for. I heard a lot of interesting things which, I think, with a number of listens, will go into something rewarding. But on the first listen or two, I can see people saying "what is this?" It reminded me a bit of early Zappa, very free-flowing. I liked what was there, but it's definitely not "safe" jazz. This is some dangerous, out there material. Definitely something that you have to listen to a few times to "get."
Amazing jazz concept album. The idea behind it was to write the album as if it was a ballet and I can absolutelly hear that. It's not an easy listen but very much well worth the time.
8/10
8/10. Jazzy and good.
Listened in the car. I'm not sure it was actually this album since Spotify seems to be bugged but...it was nice.
Remarkable, emotional and uplifting. An amazing album that keeps surprising. The ending is a bit too much though.
It's hard to say 'Mingus' without thinking of that thing that women like. Maybe he earned that name from the ladies. His real name is Bart, but that's not very sexy. Girls at the club would see him from a distance and whisper with their lips "hey 'Mingus...'" Then wink slyly before taking a sip of a Martini and looking down at their skirts. Oh yeah, go ahead Bart. Tickle those ivories.
3.5 que sube a 4. La cosa con el jazz es que hay muchísimo que oír y no todo es para todos. Creo que este es el tipo de jazz que me puede gustar en ciertas situaciones y más como de fondo. Aunque entonces no prestas suficiente atención a la abundancia de detalles y calidad que tiene la ejecución. Por otro lado, este tipo de jazz me es cansado para oír con toda mi atención, tal vez también por la abundancia de detalles. Creo que el punto que más me gustó fueron esos momentos en los que entra una guitarra y trompetas con sonido español, la calidad de los metales, y (concentrándome para oírlo con claridad) el doble bajo de Mingus.
Not my genre so hard to judge, but I like what I heard.
Очень экспрессивно и множество диссонансов создают очень необычную атмосферу, за которую так любят джазовые джемы.
Uuh, meni täydestä torstaiaamuna kahvia juodessa sohvalla. Jätti hyvän fiiliksen ja päivä voi starttaa!
Very good jazz, fire
Rating: 7/10
Raw stuff, on the higher end of the Jazz spectrum, the only thing keeping it from a five was the sonic wall at the end that was absolutely exhausting to listen to for that long
Really enjoyed listening to this. I appreciate the viewpoint that some of the instrumentation didn't 'mesh', but for me, it worked overall.
Well, now, that was certainly interesting! At times, it gets a bit chaotic for my listening, but I have a feeling upon multiple listens it starts to make more "sense" (yeah, yeah, I know: music -- especially jazz -- never needs to make sense...I'm talking about making sense to me in my experience of it and relation to it). Regardless, it's a wild ride and there's a LOT going on. I'll need to hear more of his work.
One of the great jazz records.
sick jazz tunes 🎶
https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2010/sep/03/charles-mingus-black-saint
this sum jazz, wowee, I def prefer big band stuff but this is pretty good
4
4
Wish I had more to say. It's really good.
Really well put together Jazz, enjoyed this one.
Interesting - at times smooth, sultry, dissonant , languid, frenetic. The blend of styles in the highlighted track (big band -> flamenco) is great.
Very enjoyable. Orchestral jazz. Often steady bass, drums, strings, and brass rhythms underlay with lively trumpet and piano overlay with periods of all-in exuberance. There is a lot to pay attention to. Short album (40 minutes), but you pick up more when you listen to it again (and again!).
Not as memorable as kind of blue or love supreme, but nice for sure.
Am Anfang Zuviel big band aber dann wirklich virtuos mit den spanischen gitarrenelementen wie ein anspruchsvolles Western ballet
Pretty good, definitely in my area of jazz that I can enjoy. Solid background music with some intense portions. Kind of hilarious that the review on the blog highlights "don't expect to get anything else done while listening, this is as far from background music as it gets." Guess I completely missed that part.
groovy as all hell
Really enjoyable Jazz/Blues experience unlike most others i'd had!
This was chillen
no sé nada de jazz.... k sé yo, un 4.
Murzynski swiety i grzeszna pannica jest to chyba jeden z najbardziej popularnych materialow Mingusa, czyli najbardziej wkurwionego jazzowego grajka w historii, nie bez przyczyny mowi sie wkurzony jak mingus, ktory potrafil na scenie pogruchotac swego basa tylko dlatego, ze wsrod publicznosci znalazly sie osoby ktore utrudnialy wystep, wynika to pewnie z perferkcjonizmu muzycznego do jakiego dazyl mingus, nie byl on tylko muzykiem, ale przede wszystkim kompozytorem oraz liderem bigbandowym, cos jak byciedyrygent i kompozytor w jednym, wiec sam albumik jest 39 minutowa kompozycja, ktora z zalozenia miala byc baletem, stad nazwy trakow A B C, solo dancowanie, duo, grupy, zagrany w 11 osobowym bandzie, zastanawia mnie jak mozna dojsc do tworzenia perfekcyjnych improwizacji bebopowych rozpisanych niczym symfonie, podczas nagrywania overdub musial byc mocno uzywany, ale granie nadal ma w sobie to cos co sprawia, ze mzyka wydaje sie byc zywa, bopowe zmiany tempa na 11 grajow, wut, wsrod skladu bandowego kojarze tylko 2 nazwiska Byarda od klawiszy oraz Richardsona od fletowania, ale po przesluchania bede musial sprawdzic Wiliamsa od trabkowania, glownie za ostatni track na plycie, ciezko wybrac co wrzucic na plejke, wiec wrzucam calosc, bo niezbyt czesto jakie jazzowania sie na 1001 albumiarzu pojawiaja
Not my taste but it sure is masterful.
Good work focus music
Nice vibes!!! I'm not really used to listening to jazz so sometimes was a bit difficult to me to carry on, but had a really nice time. I should listen to it more! It's brilliant!
This is a landmark free jazz album, simply brilliant musicianship and improvisation, very different from Ah Um but still very good
It’s jazz!
Más jazz interesante. 4 temas, 2 por cada cara del vinilo, y casi 40 minutos de música pensada para la danza como indican los propios nombres de pista.
I've never quite heard anything like this, and I've listened to a lot of Jazz. It's amazing how Jazz can be so varied. This also shouldn't factor into my rating, but the cover photo of Mingus is 100% Grade-A badass.
I liked this, I suspect recently watching SOUL may have influenced my decision.
I liked it, but don't think I'm qualified to say any more than that. Seemed like jazz of an experimental nature.
Amazing jazz full of energy, just the right length too. I got a little tired of jazz by the very end lol
The first item in this project not pretty solidly under the pop tent? I liked listening to it.
Fantastic jazz album. Varied, virtuosic, easy-listening.
What about me?
I have already heard this album and it is a very good album indeed
Nice and jazzy
Havent heard this mingus release, it was incredible.
reminds me of whiplash; not terrible, but wouldn't listen to it to often, but i think in the context of james acaster's influence on me i do like it quite a lot
Really liked this. Some of the only jazz I've ever enjoyed.
First Mingus album i listened to and still really good on the relisten. This shit drips
Big saxophone guy and this album is full of it!
grande charles
Relaxing and interesting, definitely a breath of fresh air from my current interests
Solid jazz album.
слишком прогрессивно для меня хотя если б весь этот альбом был проигрышем в песне King Crimson, я бы сказал что это гениально ахаха
объявляется неделя джаза, это уже поинтереснее, но все еще 3
Eh
Too much, man.
Not my thing, but I respect it
Interesting album. Was a nice change to the other music I've had. I really liked the type of music, just not specifically the songs on this album, nothing grabbed me. As such I've decided to go for 3/5, but it has spurred me on to look more into this world of Jazz.
slept to this on a train
Idek what to say about this, too intense for anything I do in my daily life but too good to ignore
재즈는 언제나 좋은 것 같다. 특별히 좋은 곡은 없었지만 재즈의 분위기가 좋았다. I think jazz is always good. There were no particularly good songs, but the jazz atmosphere was good.
Listened to this album 3 times over the course of a week. I can't decide whether i love it or just find it easily forgettable as background noise. i think that my reaction to a lot of the jazz on this list is that (the good albums at least) i enjoy the atmosphere created as it plays in the background. this album has a cool darkness to it, i would probably listen to more Charles Mingus as a result.
I expected to hate this, because I don't like brass music, but I actually didn't, it was pretty cool, actually.
I'm sure it's great and influential. I am not a native jazz speaker
(4/7) unclear at which point they finished tuning and the music began
Nice jazz
So many things with a saxophone that I didn’t know you could do! I think I heard the trumpet talk at one point. The challenge for me with jazz is that it’s often improvised, which should make it exciting listening to what could come. Maybe it’s because certain sections repeat themselves so it doesn’t come off as fresh. Or that there are no lyrics so you have to really focus on multiple melodies instead of concentrating on one. However, it’s really cool hearing Charles Mingus and his band play with such skill that they can freely bounce off each other’s instruments. This album is ultimately refreshing when I need to hear form than structure in my music listening (3-3.5).
Enjoyed it, good stuff
‘The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady’ is widely regarded as the masterpiece of Charles Mingus. It was released in 1963, which was perhaps Mingus's most creative year. During this period, he also recorded and released ‘Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus’ and ‘Mingus Plays Piano’. Musically, it is classified as 'Third Stream', a fusion of jazz and classical music. Even more than 60 years after its release, the album still feels avant-garde. There are hardly any successors to the album, not even from Mingus himself. Whilst he continued to work on a fusion of jazz and classical music, he never returned to this particular musical language. Free improvisations (or is it composed improvisations?) alternate with chamber music-style moments and big band sequences. With this album, Mingus set himself apart from his mentors, Dizzy Gillespie and Duke Ellington, whilst also creating a sound that was entirely different to that of John Coltrane or Miles Davis, for example. As unique as Mingus is, and as unique as this album is, I find it difficult to fully appreciate it. I like individual sequences, but the free-jazz passages leave me somewhat at a loss. There's simply too much happening at once for me to take it all in. Ultimately, it's perhaps another one of those great classics that everyone raves about but very few can truly understand or appreciate. It's a milestone, but like The Brothers Karamazov, it's a classic that I don't get much out of.
I don't like jazz
Miten löytäisin priit-prööt-musiikkia? MINÄKIN TAHTOISIN PRIITTISTÄ ja PRÖÖTTISTÄ! ;___; TAHTOISIN VAIN KUUNNELLA IHANUA PRUUTS JA PRÄÄTS -MUSSIIKKIA :33 VOITAIS ISTUA SOHVALLA JA KUUNNELLA LEVYKÄISIÄ JOISSA PIRISEE JA PÖRISEE KANSSA :3 SIT KUUNTELISIN PRUITS PRÄITS -LEVYJÄ JA IHAILISIN MUUSIKOIDEN PRÄYSH JA PRIUSH -TAITOJA :333 MIKS KAIKILLA MUILLA ON TORVIA JA TILUA MUT MULLA EI OO VAIK OON IHAN KIVA KAVERI ;___; VOI KUNPA MULLA OLIS KUNNON PRIISH PRÄÄSH. olispa tilirimpsis hilirömpsis <3 jammailisin kyllä sen pörö mörön tahtiin ja tekisin samalla pitsua ja sit kuuntelisin lisempää prööts krönks -mussiikkia netistä ja katselisin hauskoja jatsimuusikoitten tiluvideoita <3333 olispa plimps plomps -jatsia <3 vituttaa kun ei ole priittistä ja prööttistä ;___;
fun listen even though i know nothing about jazz
Quite enjoyable and fantastic musicianship but too 'classic jazz' for me
Liked it, but didn't love it. Kind of swaggy and old school, didn't love the spanish guitar sound but overall good!
I like how smooth the song is. It's a pretty good album, maybe not my favorite, but still quite good. 3.5/5 stars.
I think it was pretty good, I like the instruments used in the songs. They showed different emotions.
Too abstract for me and I enjoy the occasional jazz. The ear balance was off-putting. Highlight: mode D, cool unexpected classical guitar
Cool rhythmic jazz with a slightly unsettling vibe
malo too much za mene. objektivni dost dobro al nemrem jazz
Very cool record, I'm gonna have to check out some more Mingus.
Did not listen
This is a jazz album originally intended to be the soundtrack to a ballet, and is widely regarded as one of the best jazz recordings ever. This album is completely out of my wheelhouse, I don’t listen to jazz and don’t know enough of the nuances of the genre to give it the respect it most likely deserves. There was a lot of cool stuff on here, including a lot of Flamenco guitar, which you don’t hear much of in jazz. Most of the time this album was just a wall of sound to my untrained ears; it’s very noisy. I’ll give it a 3/5
Not my thing
Fairly avant garde for my taste but not bad
This was a stranger one. I felt off-kilter on the first few tracks. It kind of falls into a normal jazz later on. I'm glad I tried it out, I probably would only revisit the first track or two.
"The Black Saint..." resembles a feeling of trying to read hieroglyphs (or sinograms?). You indeed would not manage to comprehend the underlying text, but if you listen to it with attention, you may start noticing the poetry of it. That being said, the quote on the artwork is wonderfully nice. Now, the only track that I am keen on on this record is C (Group dancers). The last composition does use the same core melodies at once but just randoms switches its tone and speed which does not always achieve good results. The first two tracks are quite obscure in terms of what they try to achive. It these are impovisations, the way the instruments switch so many musical parameters is crazy. But it looks like they are not. So, the third track is pretty much a masterpiece to me; is is varied in so many ways yet not a too long composition. This is jazz that you certainly may try to understand and like. However I have to show restraint in rating this, as one track of four is not much. Still, a great work worth giving a try. I suppose jazz fans are mostly excited about the record.
probably pretty good jazz if you have the ear for jazz that i don't have. there's a handful of enjoyable parts but the tracks' lengths make trudging through less engaging sections for those parts less worth it for future replays. hit the 'meh' button!
Cool durch-komponierter, modern klingender Jazz. Die Bläser machen eine ganz weirde aber coole Stimmung
This was cool to listen to, very unsettling. That said, I never need to listen to this again. I’m honestly stumped on how to rate this properly.
Fair enough
If I was in the right mood, I think I would have really liked this, but it was just a bit too dissonant for me on this listen.
Weird one, it's early free form jazz. Not really a huge fan of a casual listen to this, I feel like I'd have to be way more into music studies to really appreciate this.
Interesting experimental jazz. There's a lot to be heard with a great variety of instruments, including clarinet, many saxophones, and much more. The flamenco guitar that comes and goes was a fun surprise that kept the music interesting and provided a bit of genre blending. The final track pulls out all the stops with very bombastic orchestration that included many refrains and all the instruments. I truly enjoyed my first Mingus experience.
jazzy, but again, not my cup of tea, tho this would be a nice album to listen while at some jazzy bar or something
Jazz isn’t my thing but I feel it’s unfair to be harsh on it. The playing is really great I just don’t think it sounds good. Giving a three based mostly on the technicality. 3/5.
Behöver en ny lyssning
Thoughts before listening: I don't know Mingus' music very well, but this album definitely gets cited heavily as a classic on par with Kind of Blue, A Love Supreme, etc. As a general rule, I enjoy listening to jazz quite a bit, even if I don't necessarily have the ear to tell good jazz from bad jazz. What I have found is that focusing my jazz listening on the canonized classics is a always a good bet, so I am sure this will be outstanding. Review: Very avant-garde and experimental sounding. These songs flow all over the place with varying tempos and melodies. Sometimes its just a cacophony of noise. I certainly don't dislike this album, but I can't say I love it either. I can obviously hear that there is immense talent and orchestration on display with this album, but I do often find myself lost in the noise. I'll give this 3-stars.
I write this from the standpoint of a jazz admirer but not necessarily from the view of all the main jazz critics. I have grown to like some of Mingus's recordings in recent years but must confess to find this somewhat cacophonous and although he was innovating in the way jazz ensemble writing and arrangements were being done, it doesn't take away the fact that as a listening experience it delights less than I hoped it would. One of jazz's most divisive and important figures without doubt.
I don’t like jazz. I don’t understand it, and I don’t enjoy it. However, this album I did really rather enjoy. Maybe it’s because Mingus plays more of a background role on the rhythm section, as opposed to Coltrane or Davis firing off self-fellating fireworks at the front end and that appeals to me more, but it is comfortably the best jazz album I’ve heard.
Love Charles Mingus, but sometimes it’s too chaotic to really enjoy
Very, very jazzy
I like jazz but something about this just didn't really click with me
surprisingly schmaltzy for mingus
I’m not really a fan of jazz so it’s hard to rate this album but I appreciate it for what it is
started to sound like the same. jazz isnt for me. 2.5
7/10 - Like this a lot more than I thought I would Fav Tracks: Track C-Group Dancers Heard before? ---–- ❌ Saved a Song? ----- ✅ Saved Album? --–-- ❌ Will Listen Again? -- ❌
Jazz is cool, but I don't understand it
3.5, id give a 4 but u dont like instrumentals
Have I listened to this album before? No How familiar am I with this album? Completely unfamiliar How do I feel about this artist? I’ve heard he’s good at jazz Favorite song(s)? I’m not sure if this question applies here because it was all kind of one song Overall Thoughts: This was a very listenable jazz album. I’m not a big jazz fan, so I’m never gonna love a jazz album but this one was fine.
One of the more digestible jazz. 3.4
Ik vind de jazzalbums in deze lijst eigenlijk niet zo leuk. Het is een beetje zoals dure wijn: ik vind dat mensen er veel te stoer mee doen. Het lukt mij niet zo goed om de hele goede van de slechte te onderscheiden omdat ik er niet genoeg van weet. Het interesseert mij niet genoeg. Bij Jazz word ik vaak afgeleid en lukt het mij niet goed om naar de muziek te luisteren. Ik ben net zoals bij goede wijn ook altijd bang dat ik er per ongeluk iets doms over zeg wat niet blijkt te kloppen. Hmm deze goedkope jazz van het huis vind ik heel erg goed! Ik proef muzieknoten van cashew. Doe mij dan maar een lekker verkoelend biertje gemaakt van gerst en pop. Oja nog iets over dit album: ik vond de trompet wel leuk.
Appreciate the quality but experimental jazz is not for me
The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady by Charles Mingus is one of those jazz albums that critics often hail as a masterpiece, but for me it lands squarely in "perfectly fine" territory. It's a dense, ambitious work, part suite, part extended composition, with Mingus's signature blend of gospel, blues, and avant-garde swing. The ensemble playing is tight, the arrangements are complex, and there's real emotional weight behind the horns and rhythms. That said, it never quite grabbed me on a visceral level. The music feels more like a technical achievement than something I'd reach for when I want to feel jazz. The pieces flow into each other, but they don't leave a strong individual imprint. It's respectable, well-crafted jazz... and that's about it. 6/10
once again wishing i can give .5 stars case this is a solid 3.5 im sure some people love it but me and jazz just aren’t friends
geht so
Pas l'album de jazz que j'ai le plus apprécié, Je n'ai pas été entrainé par celui-là, même si des moments sont sympas et tranquilles, d'autres sont plus 'brouillon' (même si c'est du jazz) et c'était un peu plus dur à écouter
We listened to this walking through Eastway on a very beautiful but very hot(!) afternoon in April. You fell fast asleep. It didn't exactly match the vibe of a Spring afternoon stroll, but it definitely got Pickett jazzed up. He ran right into the mudpit creek and his paws turned from white to jet black. He was (and still is this evening) a mess! This is clearly a work of art, but I am too much of a pleb to appreciate it for what it is. I will probably have to revisit when I mature, but it is a good thing you got your first listen under your belt.
джазус он и есть джазус
It’s aight. I gave it three stars out of deference to the art of jazz. And the musicianship is as always amazing. But the shapes they create are a little more 50s than 60s for my taste. I didn’t t love the flamenco guitar. Still, guys like Mingus are pioneers and always kick ass.
Day 16 The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady by Charles Mingus I was making chili con carne while listening to this, and it actually fit the mood perfectly. It’s short, dreamy, and works really well as background jazz. I don’t know a lot about jazz, I just know I enjoy it in the right setting, and this definitely hit that kind of vibe. It’s very pleasant and easy to get lost in, but at the same time it didn’t fully grab me as a top-tier jazz record. I can’t really point to one specific thing that holds it back, it just didn’t hit me the same way some other jazz albums have. That said, I did enjoy it. It’s one of those albums that feels more like a mood than something you actively focus on. Wine pairing? Something earthy and a bit complex like a Syrah. It matches the slightly darker, layered feel of the album. Food pairing? Chili con carne, obviously. Perfect match. Favourite song? “Track A – Solo Dancer” Vinyl? No. Dont want it. First listen? Yes. Overall 3 out of 5
Not the biggest fan of Jazz unfortunately still good
I did enjoy several passages of this album, but not enough to give it 4 stars
5/10
Álbum para un te en día de lluvia
As a total jazz idiot, it's hard for me to rate any of the jazz Greats. That said, I was very entertained by this and I doubly appreciate the bits of classical guitar
really beautiful
Excellent instrumental album
Restaurant music. Not a big fan
Charles Mingus sounds like a speed addict roaming the streets of New York.
Symphonie d’instruments, parties mélodiques et d’autres plus free, parfois un peu difficile à aborder.
I’m not a huge fan of this genre, but this was chill background music.
Good background music . 2.5. Getting tired of jazz albums
3.5
3 stars I’ve come to the determination that I start every jazz album as a 3. As I listen if I get less interested it becomes a 2, more interesting a 4. But I end up giving most of them a 3 because I don’t know what I’m listening for. This one was a little wild, the horns were raging. I enjoyed it. Maybe I’d try it again. Maybe it’s worthy of more than 3. But that’s what I landed on.
Pretty good jazz. Idk if it was anything notable though
6.5/10
Good
Diria que es mi primer acercamiento a escuchar un disco completo de jazz, una muy buena experiencia, honestamente disfrutable.
It was fine wacky jazz
Nor a huge jazz fan
I’m starting to like jazz. But I don’t know what makes it good or not yet. I like this album pretty well but it’s a long listen.
This is a jazz fusion album. Jazz fusion is a kind of chaotic form of jam session that can go one of three ways: it can fade into the background (in a not unpleasant way) but one that is indirect. It can befuddle and become sometimes unsettling because there is no pattern or rhyme to it. OR, it can delight and be taken in in a purely emotional way. I typically am in that middle category while trying to slip into the first category, but it is too jarring for me to remain background for long, and too unpredictable for me to just relax and enjoy it. Yet I DO love jazz in-itself. So I don't hate on it at any point, just struggle to remain "in it" for any length of time while it rummages around in different conversations all at once.
Fav- track B 3/5
Enjoyable
jazz und klassisch, zwischendurch ganz cool aber einfach nicht meins
ja
The harsh dissonance, particularly in Track A, is something that takes some time to grow on you. I'm not a jazz fan, but I enjoyed the unpredictable nature of this album. You never know what's coming next and it takes you on some wild rides (it also starts and ends with rhythmic farting).
Someone more into instrumental music and jazz type stuff would probably call this the epitome of something. But for me it’s just kind of eh. Nice background noise but nothing I’m going out of my way to listen to again.
Yes, it s interessant!*
23/03/2026 This didn't blow me away, it was just fine. Talented, but fine. Spotify listeners: 505.1k
Great flamenco guitar in Mode D. Appreciate the ambition. Appreciate that he wrote a jazz ballet. Just not memorable and probably too experimental for my taste in jazz.
Ah, my first Mingus. You know, listening through a lot of these jazz albums on this list is starting to bring me around. I actually really really dug this. This album feels alive and has a soul. All the instruments were lively, the tempos were unpredictable and change often, and the mood felt good throughout the listen. The runtime is very manageable too, making the album pretty approachable for an outsider. Overall, it's not the kind of thing I listen to regularly, but I enjoyed the experience. It's a strong 3/5 for me, I wouldn't complain if I had to listen to some more.
I think parts of this incredibly beautiful--the trumpets on track b, the spanish guitar on track c, the piano in tracks b &c... I think I'm losing the through-line a little bit when it comes to the more chaotic bits. I like that the medley has bits of the previous tracks included and interspersed. i love the drums on the medley. done! I enjoyed this a lot, I don't think I have the familiarity with jazz to fully appreciate the nuances, but I really enjoyed it
I’m not the type of person who is going to get much out of or enjoy these jazz/instrumental albums alone. A ballet/movie/choreography along with it would entice me to care, but on its own this isn’t my type of listening. I do feel I recognized some bits and pieces, possibly referenced in other works, and I have no doubts on its influence during the time it was created and since, but that’s about the best I can do.
Something almost conversational about most of Track B, between the...instrument and the...other instrument. Found this one a bit more interesting than some of the other jazz ones we've had. Points for sick album cover too
I feel like I should be smoking and drinking whiskey
Good but the whole two different songs played over each other gives me anxiety
During my senior year of college I took a music history class that focused on jazz. I guess I needed some sort of arts credit or something? But we just listened to and talked about jazz for the entire semester. It was an awesome class even though I knew nothing about jazz. I never just listen to jazz, but I did distinctly remember walking around campus with an old iPod loaded with jazz I downloaded from Kazaa. We probably talked about Charles Mingus, the name sounds familiar.
Não consegui escutar com a atenção merecida, então dou nota default por isso. (Voltar depois)
As far as jazz goes this was great.
A little too free jazz for me at times but at times it sounded pretty good. 2.5
Great songs, great vibe, great album
джаз мне очень понравился, но единственное, мне больше нравится музыка со словами, при этом было довольно интересно
Even if not a big fan of a jazz, it was very interesting for me to listen to this record. Sounded like some kind of an experimental branch of jazz, gradually developing its complexity from song 1 to song 4. Cool classic guitar parts though
Very cool sounding jazz album. I’d need to listen a lot more to really get it, I think. But I liked it!
Enjoyed the spanish influenced parts, at other parts i felt it dragged. Jazz isn’t a favorite but overall enjoyable to work to.
Ich glaube, das ist richtig gut. Sitze aber eher staunend davor, als dass ich wirklich Spaß daran hätte.
No standouts
I'm weird about my jazz. I like it with vocals, or if it doesn't have that, it needs to be up! beat! all! the! time! like a good Dixieland jazz. The meandering instrumental jazz isn't for me. I get the importance, but I don't enjoy the experience.
Quite a humorous commute album. I like it - it’s stylish and has some swagger about it. Listened twice and the second time around I properly enjoyed it, particularly Track B and C. Still fairly hard work though and not a go-to like other Mingus albums I think.
I like Jazz but there are only so many times I can snigger at musical instruments making fart noises.
Harsh to have to get to grips with this in just 24 hours. For sure, there are some fabulous solos and motifs. But these are often connected by bridging pieces that are difficult at first listen. It's definitely getting more spins though and if it's even half as good as Mingus Ah Um it's going to be a grower. But rules is rules and until then it has to be given a cautious 3*.
Not a bad album but a bit harder in my opinion to get into compared to some of the other jazz albums I’ve listened to so far. Does not take away the skill of the musicians involved but it was not as much as sit back and relax listening experience.
Dnf
A very interesting jazz album, a bit too chaotic and grating at times but was still good and I feel like the jazz heads go crazy for it
I'm sure this is excellent but it's not my kind of music.
It's not something I enjoy, but it's something I can appreciate.
I really still am not qualified to pass judgment on jazz. This has a bunch of energy! I think it is cool. I cannot play this for 99% of my friends.
Conceptually this album is incredible! I can really feel how each song is a different set of dancers. The horns are fantastic. I loved the Flamenco guitar element in Track C. Overall, it’s a bit chaotic for my liking (as is much jazz). If I want to listen to a jazz album it will definitely be one I would go to again.
Добре
It was fine but my ignorance of jazz means I have no sense of how influential it is as an album.
mostly well done, but took me to anxiety town sometimes
3/5 Incredibly overwhelming at times, but it was a pretty good album regardless. Not enough for me to give it four stars though. Sometimes it felt like they just threw shit at the wall and hoped it'd stick.
The fact that this is widely considered one of the greatest jazz albums of all time is proof that I don’t really understand jazz music.
Fun jazzy album
Good to hear Mingus again, so vibrant, good to listen to whilst walking the dog.
fun to dance to! cool concept, tracks are very long, jazzy feeling on track
A bit chaotic for casual listening. It would be interesting to find a video of a staging of the ballet, if one exists. This must have influenced Carla Bley.
Crazy jazz
7/10 - short but sweet jazz album
3.5
First track kinda sucked and the rest of the tracks were somewhat incoherent and abrasive. This is expected of experimental jazz, but Mingus’ composition is somewhat more harmonious than I expected. Some real toe-tapping sections.
Purely as a first listening experience, I found it too hectic and discordant to be truly enjoyable overall. I liked the piano and Spanish guitar and appreciated the avant-garde-ness in small doses. Reading reviews after, I see it’s lauded as a brilliant composition and performance and that it was conceived as a ballet. I have to stay true to my own experience and give one of the greatest jazz records of all time…a 3.
Charles Mingus, The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Album #16. I am a total philistine when it comes to jazz. The depths of my jazz knowledge extend to Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue, which is probably the equivalent of someone only knowing Heartbreak Hotel by Elvis Presley. I don’t even know if that’s a good comparison, but that’s the level we’re at. It’s hard to review an album like this after one listen in one day. I usually listen to these albums first thing in the morning, but today I ended up listening to this while on a nighttime expedition to buy frozen broccoli. It turns out that might have been the perfect way to hear it. I like the dark tone and atmosphere. I really like how the whole album sounds. It’s sinister. My jazz terminology is poor, so I don’t really know how to describe individual parts, but I loved how the first track moves from sinister to sultry to freaky in a really subtle, smooth way. The second track felt pure cinematic. There’s also this weird bit where a trumpet sounds like a voice, I thought that was cool. The third track has an incredible piano opening. I don’t know if this album has been sampled to death by hip hop, but that section feels ripe for it. I started to lose a bit of patience on the fourth track, but I liked how it kept bringing back the main motif over and over again, and almost every time it returned it sounded uglier. That was really interesting. There are loads of moments that keep you on your toes, stabbing percussive tuba, random injections of flamenco style guitar, just strange choices that somehow work. The sound of the album and how cohesive it is is genuinely impressive. Why three stars? I feel like this might grow on me, and I’ll try as the list goes on. I am looking forward to more jazz. But as a genre, it often leaves me cold. It doesn’t really convey an emotional message to me in a clear way. When everything goes chaotic and mental, drums flying, saxophones and woodwind shrieking and billowing, I’m not always sure how I’m supposed to feel. I tend to feel very little. I prefer the quieter sections, they feel more meaningful to me. Maybe I’m just not smart enough for it. I’m sure this album is incredibly well thought out and composed, and I’m sure there’s meaning there, I just don’t connect with it yet. Maybe with repeat listens it’ll click, and maybe I’ll grow into jazz more as this list continues. For now, it’s a three star.
I enjoyed this but seemed to be a high entry point for enjoyment, was probably a bit experimental/avant-garde for many listeners.
This must bridge big band and typical jazz. I’m just not educated enough to really appreciate this.
Jazz jazzy, chill vibe was great for what I know about jazz (nothing)
Clearly excellent musicians, but my ear is not trained for Jazz. This deserves more careful attention while listening than I was able to give it today. Will revisit when I can attend more closely.
There is some awesome stuff in here and the chaos of it all is engaging. Instruments and sounds flying all over the place and into each other, but it's controlled chaos. That being said, the spontaneity of it was a little much for me, but cool record
I respect the craft but it's not my thing
Jazz vom feinsten
Never heard of Charles Mingus. Yay jazz. Being a bit of a numpty, I have no idea.what makes good jazz good. But this is definitely not bad jazz. Group Dancers is my pick.
Saved? ❌ Would listen again? ❌ Would recommend to anyone? ❌ Would buy on Vinyl? 🤔
Some great instrumentals on this track. This is experimental jazz, and it’s not shy to let you know it either. The horns are loud and obnoxious at times, the music not letting you settle for one second before moving on to the next idea. It’s genius, but at the end you are left a bit overwhelmed by it all and your head hurts a bit. I think I prefer more laid back jazz… 5.5/10
I don't have a sophisticated palette for jazz, but I liked a lot of this album. I liked how it slid from orchestral, big band, flamenco guitar, and jazzy elements. Sometimes the sounds blended into a cacophony that sounded very much like noise. That was the point. Often times, I rate these albums by how much I enjoyed the listening experience, and I think about how much I would want to listen again. I would like to think I'd give this one a listen again.
Jazz album. Not much to say about it. Don't hate it, don't like it necessarily. It sounds nice, but not my cup of tea. 6 / 10
More interesting to listen to then I expected. I especially liked the film noir vibe of the first song.
Interesting breaks and switches during the pieces
This feels like a pretty unique album. You can hear the classical music influences and improvisational style really turn it into something new. I also think having the band leader on double bass adds an interesting element. However as whole, this album specifically didn't capture me the same as some other Jazz releases of the same era.
It was ok. I didn’t hate it, but I wouldn’t listen again
The skill here is undeniable.It's the kind of thing you hear and think yeah, they're on another level. But I'm a live jazz person. I want the loose energy and stuff that only happens in the moment. Every note feels placed exactly where they wanted it, and while that's cool, it takes away the thing I love most about jazz which is the spontaneity. Respect the craft and skill, just prefer to be able to watch the musicians figure it out together in person. That's on me, I get it, I just prefer my jazz live and messy.
man idk what to rate this album. It would be cool listening to this in a mansion but im not in a mansion. it has to go somewhere in between 3 and 4.
There may come a day when I will appreciate albums like this to their full potential. Today it's not that day
A bit cacophonous at times. But what is jazz without a little cacophony?
Pretty nice jazz album from the 60's, didn't blow me away but enjoyed the vibe. can imagine it would have been amazing in a jazz bar somewhere.
Pretty cool but not my favorite Mingus album
5/10
One of the stranger jazz compositions I've heard. I wouldn't call this "standard" by any means. It's almost haunting and a tad uneasy, really. Plus an unexpected Flamenco twist in track C.
I am vaguely aware of Charles Mingus as I was a bass player in a jazz band. I can't say I ever really did a deep dive into him. The album was a bit more out there than I prefer but hey that's jazz baby. I like the use of tuba as I think it is an underrated jazz instrument and I am also biased as I played tuba before I picked up the bass.
doido hein
Jazzy!
OHHH I DUNNO MAN - I’m only vaguely fluent in jazz, so this one still feels like it has a bit of a velvet-rope barrier to entry. BUT when this baby locks into a groove, it’s genuinely gorgeous and I’m happily along for the ride. Then it gets a little elaborate and widdly - like it’s showing off in a cardigan (eyebrowz) and I’m reminded my heart still lives in land of aggressive guitars.
Specialised taste and I know people venerate him - but to me it sounded like heavy traffic in New York
Enjoyed the jazz
Not sure how to rate. I feel like its one of those things that just grows on you. But i adore jazz so cannot give it less than a 3.
There is better jazz. I’m sorry. 3/5
It was ok. Generally enjoyed it and good background while working.
I really enjoyed listening to this yesterday, and then listened again today and enjoyed it less so. Maybe I need the background of a kitchen to bring it to life
This felt like the jazz equivalent of The Fall for me. I'm glad I've heard it, I like to know that people are pushing aginst the boundaries of a form and being genuinely experimental, but it's absolutely not the kind of thing I would listen to normally. Without a strong interest in avant-garde jazz, it's hard not to find that bits of this sound like cats fighting in a bag.
I need more jazz in my life, and certainly more Mingus.
Listen I probably like Jazz more than the next person, but I'm not a big fan seeking it out. This is fine, incredible musicianship as what you should probably expect on a Jazz album. You can throw it on in the background but sometimes you'll get caught with the avante garde parts and your equilibrium trips for a second.
Very nice time listening to this. It’s always weird rating albums when some of them are like this, like what about “bitches brew” how would I rate an album like that on 1-5 and compare it to the rest? Maybe by the time that album (hope it’s here) comes up, I’ll know how to better differentiate artists.
I really shouldn’t even be allowed to rate jazz because I don’t get jazz. It’s good I think?
Bit much really - I'm just not that into Jazz - four ten minute 'prog' jazz tracks is beyond my limit. It feels like it is an important part of music history but I won't be listening again.
Holy hell this was stressful. I like jazz (we have covered this in previous reviews) but this jazz needs some boundaries
Jazzier than jazzberry jam.
Eu boto muita fé que isso é bom. Mas foi bad timing demais cair numa segunda feira de 30 graus do interior paulista. Escutei a primeira música, skipei e não voltei mais. Nota 3 p passar de ano e por respeito ao Sr. Mingus.
39 minutos tentando derrotar o boss do Cuphead
wait so this wasn’t just the score to whiplash?
I just don’t really get it.
great, just not super my style ya know? jazzy to listen to in a dark room at night; 3 stars just because i probably won't go back to it?
truly don't know how to listen to jazz...sounded ok
jazzy
It’s haunting , poignant, and, at times, a mess. The risks Mingus takes on this record are compelling, creative, and courageous. It’s an interesting take on redemption and mimics the mania of metanoia, but it’s too unmoored to be above a 3.
I’m not a jazz girl but this was pretty nice
Very technically impressive but I felt nothing. Almost felt too much like showing off.
A harsh 3, possibly 4 on another listen
I personality like jazz, and the instrumentals are actually very nice. This album is good background music.
Very jazzy
Það er allt frábært við þessa plötu! Nafnið á henni, nafnið á listamanninum, nafnið á lögunum, plötuumslagið. Allt... nema tónlistin. Svona jazz er erfiður. Heldur sér samt í miðri stigatöflunni.
Smooth Jazz, background music, not my face genre but good
I don’t usually listen to jazz, and this album won’t change that habit. It’s just not for me.
This is a fine jazz album, but I felt it was pretty short and could have had more to it.
Jazz is a genre I quite like and yet struggle with, I enjoy aspects of it but others I really struggle to get along with. Sadly this album embodies that to a T, its very clearly good quality music and I can enjoy that but its lacking something that makes me *want* to listen to it and truly enjoy it. It's an album I'll give another go if I ever get a high end audio set up with a quality pair of open backs
Not my genre, but wasn't worse than it could have been. Liked the Spanish vibe on track D.
Powerful but not my bag
Fine jazz, nothing wrong. Good as an introductary album to jazz imo. Nothing standoutish to me.
Ya that's some mellow jazz. Nothing offensive and nothing too boppy.
Points for being very talented, I just didn't care for the songs that much.
Best Song: Solo Dancer Boy oh howdy I thought I was almost done with jazz but nope. Just like all the other jazz on here, it isn't really my thing - even after listening to, what feels like, 500,000 jazz albums (realistically I think it is more like 5). I can't differentiate good jazz from bad jazz and am not a musician so to me this sounds like noise basically. 3/5.
Bra ändå! Svår jazz, kul att lyssna på men kanske inte nått som jag kommer lyssna på så ofta igen :)
l’ordine dei titoli!
Here is a proposal. You should have the option of providing the generator your birthday. Then on your birthday it could find for you a highly rated album from your favourite genre and serve it up to you as a gift. That would have made me smile. Or we could go the other way and on your birthday serve you up the lowest rated album you have remaining. Throbbing Gristle anyone? That would have made me laugh. Instead...Charles Mingus? I bet even Charles Mingus doesn't want to hear himself on his birthday. Thanks for nothing generator, on my 43rd birthday you could have given me a smile or a laugh. Instead you gave me a grimace. That is not a birthday-worthy facial expression.
Loved!! It was a great story that was told through amazing instruments. Great background house music.
Ambitious, complex. Loved the jazz tuba/contrabass trombone Not easy listening. Probably not going to return to it, but glad to have heard it
I don’t have a sophisticated enough palette to appreciate jazz in this form. I love Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, the Peanuts holiday specials…you know, that kind of jazz. I’m sure this album is brilliant, but I don’t get it.
An instrumental album for dance pieces to kickstart the week. These elongated pieces tell a story without words. The staccato blasts from the horns and the rise and fall of the beats during each track lets you know when the action is taking place. It’s truly amazing how versatile music can be. As the dance group size changes in these pieces, the music tends to become more chaotic and whimsical whereas the solo pieces are direct and normally very structured. This album was a nice break from the usual suspects of this project.
If this is the sort of thing that you like, then I bet you’ll really like this sort of thing. To me, it sounds like a bunch of long-legged birds being slowly murdered in a swamp. And I don’t like that sort of thing.