Charles Mingus: II B.S.

II B.S. is a slightly different shorter and more concentrated version of Haitian Fight Song, which Mingus recorded with a smaller band on The Clown in 1957. It is a great example of his sense of construction: dynamic, powerful bass intro, after which each instrument comes in, building the melody and harmony by touches with a strong, Ellington-inspired jungle feeling. Booker Ervins tenor solo is the climax of this battle song, which manages to be both supremely organized and bubbling with spontaneity, thanks to Minguss writing -- and to the backbone his bass and Perkinss drums offer their colleagues all the way through the performance.