** Rare original copies. Second LP pressing on Mythic Sounds, numbered edition. Unplayed copies from a dead-stock, minor wear due to ageing on covers. Comes with original hype sticker ** A landmark in early modern jazz returns: Strings And Keys, the rare and sought-after 1953 debut from legendary bassist Charles Mingus and pianist Spaulding Givens, is available once again in a meticulously crafted, limited edition reissue. Originally released on Debut Records (DLP-1), this session captures two visionary artists in a moment of pure, intimate dialogue-where Mingus’s resonant contrabass and Givens’s lyrical piano intertwine across a set of jazz standards and original compositions.

Strings And Keys is a testament to Mingus’s creative restlessness in the early 1950s, a period that saw him pushing the boundaries of jazz ensemble interplay and improvisation. The album features elegant renditions of classics like “What Is This Thing Called Love,” “Body and Soul,” and “Blue Moon,” alongside the hauntingly original “Blue Tide.” Each track is a study in restraint and invention, with Mingus’s deep, expressive bass lines anchoring Givens’s sophisticated harmonic explorations.

This special reissue, limited to just 1,000 hand-numbered copies, faithfully reproduces the original packaging, right down to the thick cardboard covers and Debut labels. Collectors will appreciate the attention to detail, including the hand-filled edition number and the rare “Distributed by NorthCountry Distributors” silver sticker-making each copy a unique artifact in its own right. Strings And Keys remains a hidden gem in Mingus’s discography-a snapshot of his artistry before his explosive mid-1950s breakthroughs, and a rare document of his work in the piano-bass duo format. For jazz aficionados and collectors alike, this is a chance to own a piece of jazz history, lovingly restored for a new generation of listeners.