Charles Mingus: Tonight At Noon

The title track is full of exotic moods and dramatic tension. Always the vociferous leader, Mingus screams periodically to keep things in order. Outbursts and plaintive moans serve to color an exotic theme. Roland Kirk appears for three numbers. On "Invisible Lady," Jimmy Knepper's featured trombone voice and Mingus' keyboard converse, as would two old friends. Mingus moves to piano for Kirk's three appearances. The multiple saxophone blend builds excitement. As Booker Ervin is included, the two make quite a sensation. Mingus is at home expressing his blues-tinged thoughts on piano. "Peggy's Blue Skylight" begins with an extended piano introduction from Mingus. Kirk follows on stritch with a free flow of quoted ideas. Ervin's solo spot isn't his best work; however, Mingus' piano solo represents one complete picture of the artist. Kirk follows with a lovely tenor solo.

Shafi Hadi and Wade Legge appear on "Tonight at Noon" and "Passions of a Woman Loved." Kirk, Ervin and Doug Watkins appear on "Invisible Lady," "Old Blues for Walt's Torin" and "Peggy's Blue Skylight." Knepper and Richmond, Mingus regulars, appear for both sessions. While the duration of this reissue remains under 40 minutes, its value lies in the scenic compositions Mingus has created.