Pithecanthropus Erectus (album)

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Pithecanthropus Erectus
Studio album by Charles Mingus
Released	1956
Genre	Jazz
Length	36:36
Label	Atlantic
Producer	Nesuhi Ertegün
Professional reviews
All Music Guide link
Charles Mingus chronology
Pithecanthropus Erectus (1956) The Clown (1957)

Pithecanthropus Erectus is a 1956 album by jazz composer and bassist Charles Mingus.

[edit] Track listing

1. "Pithecanthropus Erectus" – 10:36
2. "A Foggy Day" – 7:50 {George & Ira Gershwin}
3. "Profile of Jackie" – 3:11
4. "Love Chant" – 14:59

All tracks composed by Charles Mingus except where noted. Recorded at Atlantic Studios in New York City.

According to Mingus' liner notes, the title song is a ten minute tone poem, depicting the rise of man from his hominid roots (Pithecanthropus erectus) to an eventual downfall. Listening to "A Foggy Day", listeners should envision the saxophone part as a man encountering all the other sounds while walking down a foggy street.

[edit] Reception

• Q magazine (12/01, p.160) - 4 stars out of 5 - "The essential early Mingus set."

• Vibe (12/99, p.162) - Included in Vibe's 100 Essential Albums of the 20th Century

[edit] Personnel

• Charles Mingus – Bass
• Jackie McLean – Alto Saxophone
• J. R. Monterose – Tenor Saxophone
• Mal Waldron – Piano
• Willie Jones – Drums
• Tom Dowd – Recording Engineer
• Hal Lustig – Recording Engineer