Charlie Mingus’ East Coasting was recorded in 1957, the same year he laid down the classic Tijuana Moods (which wasn’t released until 1962). This lesser-known album features an excellent band that includes Mingus regulars—trumpeter Clarence Shaw, trombonist Jimmy Knepper, saxophonist Shafi Hadi, drummer Dannie Richmond—and pianist Bill Evans. The only non-original piece is the opener, Eubie Blake and Andy Razaf’s “Memories of You,” which has a fine arrangement and warm, buttery trombone from Knepper. The title track sports a fine head and swings in muscular Mingus fashion. On the bluesy “West Coast Ghost,” Evans and the horn players toss phrases back and forth with great aplomb. “Fifty-First Street Blues” opens with the rhythm section fashioning a strong foundation, before the horns—by turns smooth and stuttering—enter. Hadi steps forward and makes a compelling statement on tenor sax before Shaw lightens the mood with his trumpet. Richmond takes out brushes and a bell for the atmospheric “Celia,” which features Shaw’s muted trumpet and Evan’s intriguing piano. An underappreciated gem.