Changes One

CHANGES ONE (and its companion disc CHANGES TWO, both recorded in a single session) features outstanding performances of Mingus's intense, expressive compositions and is considered, even by the bassist himself, to be among his finest work. This group of intelligent, technically superior musicians, consisting of tenor sax, trumpet, piano and drums, had been playing together for two years at the time of recording and were at the peak of their collaborative powers. The tracks are as diverse as they are engaging-- ranging from the mind-boggling complexity of "Sue's Changes (with shifts of tempo, theme and mood, showered over by Don Pullen's keyboard flurries) to the straightahead rock of "Devil Blues" (with a spirited, shouting blues vocal by saxophonist George Adams). more...

Emotions run high through the album as well, particularly in the passionate, swelling tenderness of "Duke Ellington's Sound of Love", an elegy to one of Mingus's heroes. Supported throughout by the artist's fat, elastic bass tone and the protean, articulate musical personalities of his band, the compositions are textural, challenging and multi-faceted, while still managing to remain accessible. Highly recommended, CHANGES ONE (particularly in conjunction with TWO) acts as an excellent introduction to the music of this jazz pioneer.

Q (9/96, p.140)
- 4 Stars - Excellent - "Late-period Mingus...wherein trademark musical tangents and indulgent titling...are reassuringly present."

Mojo (p.119)
- 3 stars out of 5 - "Mingus's vibrant 1974 set..."

JazzTimes (12/93, p.63)
- "...Mingus''70s quintet with George Adams, Jack Walrath, Don Pullen and Dannie Richmond was his last great small group...CHANGES ONE and [CHANGES] TWO are not among Mingus' most ambitious recordings, but they are among his most satisfying...."