Charles Mingus
8 Classic Albums

Of course, the arrangements are quirky and unique with lots of great bass solos. Better than that, the first disc features one of the greatest under-rated pianists of all time, Hampton Hawes. . .the version of Yesterdays (the first track) is worth the price of this whole set, and the first disc is worth twice that. Other superstars that show up are Mal Waldron, Max Roach, Bill Evans, Thad Jones, Booker Ervin and John Handy. There's one or two tracks that are too weird for me, like when Mingus narrates The Clown. Still, it is an understatement to say this is a "must buy."