The Teddy Charles Tentet - s/t (1956)

Fresh from some inspiring times in Charles Mingus' Jazz Composers' Workshop, a session with Mingus and Miles Davis and some ambitious releases of his own, vibraphonist Teddy Charles pushed the boat out further when signing to Atlantic.  This January 1956 session took some inspiration from Mingus, some from Gil Evans' late 1940s work with Miles (Evans and George Russell are two of the arrangers here), and also from the likes of Stravinsky. 

All this made the ten-piece group's self-titled album highly sophisticated for its day, beating Miles to the punch by two years in the closing track's modal progression, and even looking forward to free jazz in The Emperor, Charles' most striking composition here.  All of the crack team of players are great here, with Charles himself best highlighted on vibes on Nature Boy, which also appeared on Blue Moods (link above).  Highly recommended.

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