Always a treat, the Charles Mingus songbook is given a fresh coat of paint with Diego Rivera/sax, Art Hirara/p, Boris Kozlov/b, Joe Strasser/dr and occasional guest David Kikoski/p. Rivera’s tone and style is reminiscent of Mingus alumnus Booker Ervin, steeped in the blues, but with a foot in the left of center. The team wisely keeps with the Mingus style of changing tempos, directions and dynamics at the drop of a bow, with the team going from blues to beyond on the intricate “Nostalgia In Times Square” or from sizzle to sleek on “Pithecanthropus Erectus”. Kikowski gives a gospel drenched piano workout on the double fisted “Orange Was The Color Of Her Dress…” and is gloriously harmonic for “Portrait”. Kozlov sways his solo on the bluesy “Pussy Cat Dues” and sizzles with Strasser on “ Tonight With Dues” with Rivera bopping with the best. Steeped in tradition, but riding into the horizon, just like Mingus himself. An excellent intro to the genius that stands up on its own.