Changes Two

Among the best of Mingus' later work, CHANGES TWO (and its companion disc CHANGES ONE, both recorded in a single session) is a compelling journey into the kaleidoscopic world of this genius bassist/composer. Recalling Duke Ellington in the ambitious scope of his meticulously crafted arrangements (and Mingus in fact pays tribute to the Duke here with "Duke Ellington's Sound Of Love", including a sensitive vocal performance by Jackie Paris), Mingus also pulls the music into the future. In this way, he straddles two worlds--the traditional and the avant-garde--translating the essentials and instrumentation of jazz into a modern idiom. more...

The variety and exploratory breadth of his sensibility are evident from the quick, sunny theme of the album's opener to the morphing, multi-layered sections of "Orange Was The Colour Of Her Dress, Then Silk Blue", to the driving, tumbling "Black Bats and Poles", distinguished by outstanding solos. Throughout, one finds a careful sculpting of melodic and textural patterns on piano and horns, held together by the rhythmic complexities of Dannie Richmond's drums and Mingus's bass. Highly recommended, CHANGES TWO (particularly in conjunction with ONE) 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."

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...."