Blues & Roots

Mingus explained the origins of this record in the album's liner notes:^[4]

This record is unusual— it presents only one part of my musical world, the blues. A year ago, Nesuhi Ertegün suggested that I record an entire blues album in the style of "Haitian Fight Song" (in Atlantic LP 1260), because some people, particularly critics, were saying I didn't swing enough. He wanted to give them a barrage of soul music: churchy, blues, swinging, earthy. I thought it over. I was born swinging and clapped my hands in church as a little boy, but I've grown up and I like to do things other than just swing. But blues can do more than just swing. So I agreed.

• Q Magazine (7/93, p. 110) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...at his best he could drive his fellow musicians onwards and upwards with big bass playing and hoarse exhortations. Blues & Roots contains six servings of this brilliance..."
• DownBeat (1960) - 4 Stars - Very Good - "...vital and important music...[Mingus] is outstanding in his solo work...this is something worth careful and thorough listening..."

1. "Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting" – 5:39
2. "Cryin' Blues" – 4:58
3. "Moanin'" – 8:01
4. "Tensions" – 6:27
5. "My Jelly Roll Soul" – 6:47
6. "E's Flat Ah's Flat Too" – 6:37

The 1998 Rhino CD reissue included these additional tracks:

1. "Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting" – 6:59 – alternate take
2. "Tensions" – 5:18 – alternate take
3. "My Jelly Roll Soul" – 11:25 – alternate take
4. "E's Flat Ah's Flat Too" – 6:47 – alternate take

All tracks composed by Charles Mingus. Recorded February 4, 1959, at Atlantic Studios in New York City.

• Charles Mingus – bass
• John Handy – alto saxophone
• Jackie McLean – alto saxophone
• Booker Ervin – tenor saxophone
• Pepper Adams – baritone saxophone
• Jimmy Knepper – trombone
• Willie Dennis – trombone
• Dannie Richmond – drums
• Horace Parlan – piano, except for on "E's Flat Ah's Flat Too"
• Mal Waldron – piano on "E's Flat Ah's Flat Too"
• Nesuhi Ertegun – producer
• Tom Dowd – recording engineer