As far as jazz albums go, this is one of the most beautiful I've ever heard. I can't remember what influenced me to buy the album whilst I was at university, but I'm extremely glad I did. The album is experimental, like all good jazz albums should be, but it's also very accessible.
The more I listen to jazz, the more I begin to love it. Of course, there are some albums that I just don't 'get' (I'm thinking of 'A Kind of Blue here'), but there are others (Time Out and the current one being reviewed) which make sense straight away. What stands The Black Saint apart from the ones I've listened to thus far is the sheer variety of the pieces, and the way Mingus manages to pull them all together. Want a section that sounds like it was written for a film noir score? Yep! Want some dude going crazy with a trumpet whilst the drummer ramps up the beat? Of course! Feel like a little spanish guitar just for kicks? You betcha! Whilst some jazz albums can feel a little predictable (ironically), this had me on the edge of my eardrums.
Rating: 8.5/10
Favourite Track: Track B - Duet Solo Dancers
There's a book you may or may not have heard of called '1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die'. Here is my attempt to do just that. Follow my progress from Frank Sinatra to Arcade Fire as I write my thoughts and feelings about each album.
All errors in this blog are mine, and mine only (unless they're not).
