Charles Mingus was one of the great jazz composers and band leaders.  He had a unique style and freedom that is very difficult to categorize.  There are elements of hard bop, bebop, classical, gospel, and free jazz in his recordings.  He is also considered one of the great jazz bassists of all time.  But at the time of this recording Mingus was not a healthy man.  He was no longer able to play the bass.  However, he could still write, produce, and do arrangements.  Those were his contributions on this great album.  Side one into side two is an incredibly beautiful 30+ minute piece that definitely has the Mingus touch.  It’s a large orchestra album with some of the greats of jazz of the late 70’s.  The album was released on Atlantic in 1981, number SD 8805.  This is the original release of the album.  The vinyl is in beautiful condition its bright original luster and just a couple of very light surface scratches and paper scuffs that barely impact play.  It plays with just very light sporadic background noise.  The vinyl grades VG+.  The album cover shows a hint of ring wear and very light corner and edge wear.  All the seams are clean, sharp, tight, and intact.  There is a cutout notch near the open side on the bottom seam. The original label inner sleeve is included and has a split on the bottom seam and on one side seam.  The cover grades VG+.

Track List:

Something Like A Bird, Part 1

Something Like A Bird, Part 2

Farewell Farwell

Grading Information:

I always clean and then listen to every record I list on eBay. I do this to make sure I can give as accurate a description of each record as possible.  I do both a visual check and an audio check. I always attempt to give as objective a grading as I can. I don’t ever want you to be disappointed in the quality of the album you receive.

I use four grades in grading:  NM, VG+, VG, and G.  The only exception is a sealed album which is presumed to have vinyl in mint condition. Sealed albums may not be returned. My NM grading means that the vinyl looks and plays as though it is the first time out of the sleeve. The VG+ rating is used on any album that plays great but has one or two small defects.  It may have a pop here and there or some occasional background static. On a VG album you can expect that, typically, this album will play great, but you’ll see more defects on this than your VG+ rated album.  Most often the VG rated album may even play well enough to be graded VG+, but the color or blemishes drop the grading.  Likewise, you may occasionally find an album that looks almost NM but the sound quality just isn’t there. That’s why I play every album first, because this does happen.  In this case the vinyl will be graded VG. 

Occasionally I will list an album with a grade of G. This is one where I consider the collectible value of the album to be great enough that the copy being presented is worth owning as a filler copy. Albums graded G are not returnable.

Shipping Information – Combined Shipping:

The shipping cost will be based on the weight of your package. For Media Mail, shipping is $6.00 in the continental U.S. The US Postal Service has raised the price of media mail twice since the last time I adjusted my shipping charge. I’m sorry to have to do this, but it is necessary once again. I will happily combine records from multiple auctions to reduce total shipping cost. In fact, I welcome it!  Shipping will be $6.00 in the U.S regardless of the number of auctions won in any 5-day period.

Canada shipping is calculated based on weight using US Postal Service rates.  Combined shipping is also welcomed here and does result in significant per-album cost savings. The first album will typically cost approximately $24. Additional albums will be shipped for $6 per album, with up to four pounds able to be shipped before we need to use International Priority shipping. At that point we will work together on final determination of shipping cost.

Shipments to outside the US and Canada will vary depending on your country. Typically, the cost per album will be no more than $30.  Combined shipping is welcome here as well, at a cost of $10 per additional album up to the maximum of four pounds.

All albums will be shipped in specially designed album hard cardboard mailers with a cardboard insert to prevent damage upon opening.  The vinyl is removed from the cover and presented in a new poly sleeve.  I am committed to one day turnaround on shipments.  If I receive payment before 7:00 AM Central Time I will package and ship that same day.

Thanks for looking and please contact me with any questions.