The musical roots of Charlie Mingus' development are revealed on these early recordings of Mingus as a bandleader or sideman in such bands as those of Lionel Hampton, Red Norvo, Illinois Jacquet and Earl Hines. Mingus' arch-individualism shines through on most of these early sides and they are both the perfect introduction to his highly influential playing as well as a fascinating overview of the way this genius of music created his own style.

Tracklist:
CD 1: Pacific Coast Blues
1. Merle's mood (02:58)
2. Wondering and thinking of you (03:09)
3. (I Don't Stand A) Ghost Of A Chance (03:11)
4. The texas hop (02:49)
5. Lonesome woman blues (03:10)
6. Swingin' an echo (03:06)
7. Beggin' mama blues (02:54)
8. Pacific coast blues (02:41)
9. Ain't Jivin' Blues (02:56)
10. Shuffle bass boogie 02:56)
11. Weird Nightmare (03:05)
12. Make Believe (02:43)
13. Bedspread (03:06)
14. Honey, Take A Chance With Me (03:15)
15. This Subdues My Passion (02:52)
16. Mingus Fingers (03:05)
17. Zoo-baba-da-oo-ee (02:37)
18. Spooky boogie (03:09)
19. No good woman blues (03:11)
20. Body And Soul (03:30)
21. Mingus Fingers (03:01)
22. These Foolish Things (03:18)
23. He's Gone (03:32)
24. The Story Of Love (02:54)
25. Pennies From Heaven (02:26)
26. Lyon's Roar (02:36)

CD 2: Inspiration
1. Boppin' In Boston (02:53)
2. Say It Isn't So (02:40)
3. The Story Of Love (02:42)
4. Inspiration [Parts 1 & 2] (04:04)
5. Swedish pastry (02:28)
6. Cheek to cheek (02:42)
7. Night And Day (04:08)
8. Time and tide (02:34)
9. I've Got A Feeling I'm Falling (02:53)
10. September song (03:33)
11. Move (02:38)
12. I've Got A Feeling I'm Falling (02:24)
13. September song (02:27)
14. I'll remember April (03:21)
15. I can't believe that you're in love with me (02:53)
16. Little white lies (03:47)
17. Have You Met Miss Jones? (03:01)
18. Zing! Went the strings of my heart (03:28)
19. Good bait (01:48)
20. September in the rain (02:21)
21. Budo (01:57)
22. East of the sun (02:11)
23. If I had you (04:08)
24. This Can't Be Love (02:32)
25. I'm yours (04:04)
26. Godchild (04:42)

CD 3: Extrasensory Perception
1. What Is This Thing Called Love? (03:08)
2. Body And Soul (03:39)
3. Lady bird (05:39)
4. I'm beginning to see the light (05:23)
5. All The Things You Are (08:11)
6. Cello again (02:38)
7. Ah-dee-dong blues (02:33)
8. Extrasensory perception (02:52)
9. Precognition (02:47)
10. Portrait (03:14)
11. Potter's luck (05:09)
12. I Can't Get Started (With You) (03:01)
13. Make Believe (03:08)
14. Paris In Blue (03:16)
15. Montage (02:55)
16. Ornithology (05:53)
17. 52nd Street theme (04:57)
18. I'll remember April (10:56)

CD 4: Bass-ically Speaking
1. Groovin' High (05:28)
2. Don't Blame Me (09:02)
3. Scrapple from the apple (05:58)
4. Cheryl (05:29)
5. Embraceable You (03:33)
6. Salt Peanuts (04:18)
7. Smooch (03:07)
8. In the still of the night (03:25)
9. Autumn in New York (02:11)
10. I Want To Be Happy (04:21)
11. Moose The Mooche (05:04)
12. Dance Of The Infidels (05:28)
13. Bass-ically speaking (03:58)
14. Chazzanova (05:01)
15. Pink topsy (03:06)
16. Blue tide (03:12)
17. Miss Bliss (03:08)
18. Eclipse (02:58)
Released 2005.