Charles Mingus was unique. His influences were eclectic, ranging from New Orleans jazz through swing, bop and Latin to modern classical and avant-garde. Although his playing was strong and impressive, it's his writing and approach to making music that put him in a league of his own. By the mid 1950s he had worked out a totally personal way of getting his musical vision across, which involved his "dictating" parts to musicians, but at the same time leaving plenty of room for individual expression. At the same time it was this massive energy and enormous presence that served to turn what could have become musical chaos in to some of the most distinctive and remarkable music ever produced in jazz.
This CD, one of the last records of his work, demonstrates all of Mingus's abilities, his writing, his playing, and his ability to organise an ensemble. He had a great respect for the traditions of the music, and so we find Lionel Hampton who, at the time of this recording was almost 70, under Mingus's watchful eye producing some of his best playing of that era. The band itself is full of fine players, notably Mingus's old friend and ally Dannie Richmond on drums, and watch out for another jazz great hidden amongst the horns, the remarkable Gerry Mulligan on baritone sax. It speaks volumes for the respect in which Mingus was held that players such as Hampton and Mulligan would turn out for him. This would be one of the last recording dates that Mingus would actively participate in, and one feels that all the players on this album really wanted to "do it" for him. The soloing is universally strong, the feel of each of the tracks is typically Mingus, and the whole thing serves as a masterful tribute to a great, if highly complex, man and musician.〔His Final Work, Liner Notes. By: Steve Rubie-606 Club-Nov'99〕