Duke Ellington / Charlie Mingus / Max Roach

Money Jungle

lotta great blues tunes on this one. also duke's playing on this is impeccable, the way he uses empty space on this is a masterclass.

Money Jungles sees some of the most well known and respected jazz musicians, Duke Ellington, Max Roach and Charles MIngus collab for the first time to create this great jazz album but it unfortunately for me never really gets better than any of these artists are truly capable and have proved they can achieved, with even Charles Mingus releasing his masterpiece, The Blant Saint and the Sinner Lady, the same year.

Track Review

Money Jungle 8.5/10
Fleurette Africaine (African Flower) ... read more

I don't know what it is about "Money Jungle", but it bored me to tears. I know there is worse jazz out there, and I know in my heart that it isn't really *bad*, but it put me to sleep. That's pretty unfortunate considering the undeniable star power present here, but yeah, this really missed the mark for me.

You can look at the names attached and expect to go into this getting superb musicianship. Duke plays thrillingly and energetic enough to make sure his much younger session mates, both with a reputation for the ability to play fast, don't show him up. It really speaks to the talent of these men that they were able to come into the studio without having played together and leave having made a classic that sounded like they were a true band. Much of this, I assume, is because Mingus and Roach ... read more