CHARLES MINGUS A Modern Jazz Symposium (2001 Italian digitally remastered 5-track LP pressed on 200gm vinyl, originally released in 1958 on the Bethlehem label, this obscure album shows Mingus exploring new territory with his sextet while incorporating vocals into his work. On the opening track, 'Scenes In The City', Mel Stewart [who played Henry Jefferson in the American TV series All In the Family], performs a spoken word piece written by actor and playwright Lonne Elder III and thelegendary Langston Hughes. The track is a snapshot of Harlem and NYC in the 1950s and for that alone this album stands out in the Mingus repertoire. Although the rest of the album features no spoken word or poetry, the playing is top notch and sidemen - Jimmy Knepper on Trombone, Shafi Hadi on sax, Clarence Shaw & Bill Hardman on trumpet and Horace Parlan & Bob Hammer on piano - can all evidently run with the big dogs. Great high quality picture sleeve reproducing the original album artwork. Both sleeve & vinyl are in superb near 'as new' condition! GET2002))