The Penguin Guide to Jazz has called Mingus Ah Um "an extended tribute to ancestors" and awarded it with one of their rare crowns. It is, in fact, one of Mingus' most personal albums, and produced a series of songs that have become standards. "Better Git It in Your Soul" is inspired by gospel singing and preaching of the sort that Mingus would have heard as a child growing up in Watts, Los Angeles, California, while "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" is a reference (by way of his favored headgear) to saxophonist Lester Young (who had died shortly before the album was recorded).

THE COMPLETE LP - 180-GRAM VIRGIN VINYL - LIMITED EDITION

Side 1
1. Better Git It In Your Soul
2. Goodbye Pork Pie Hat
3. Boogie Stop Shuffle
4. Self-Portrait In Three Colors
5. Open Letter To Duke

Side 2
1. Bird Calls
2. Fables Of Faubus
3. Pussy Cat Dues
4. Jelly Roll