Mingo Lewis

Artist Overview

James "Mingo" Lewis is an American percussionist born in December 1940. He gained experience working with notable bands such as Carlos Santana's group and Chick Corea's Return to Forever. Lewis also collaborated with guitarist Al Di Meola as a sideman. His extensive background in various musical styles informs his solo work.

Album Details

Released in September 1976 by Columbia Records, "Flight Never Ending" is Lewis's debut solo album. The catalog number for this release is PC 34260. This album features a blend of jazz and rock elements, characteristic of the jazz-rock genre. Lewis plays percussion and synthesizers, accompanied by a talented group of musicians including Mike Kapitan on keyboards, Randy Sellgren on guitar, Eric McCann on bass, David Logeman on drums, and Louis Bramy on percussion.

Musical Composition

The album consists of eight tracks, each offering a unique sonic landscape. "Aba Cua" opens the album with a brief yet intriguing introduction. "Franckincense," one of the standout tracks, extends for over seven minutes and showcases intricate instrumentation. "Heartsong" and "The Wizard" further highlight Lewis's percussion skills paired with rich harmonies and melodies.

Side B begins with "Visions Of Another Time," which maintains the album's rhythmic complexity. "Trapezoid" follows, providing a different texture. The short piece "'Maginary Monsters" acts as an interlude, leading into the title track, "Flights Never Ending," which closes the album with an expansive arrangement lasting over eight minutes.

Connections to Other Works

Some tracks from "Flight Never Ending" found new life in Al Di Meola's discography. "The Wizard" was re-recorded by Di Meola for his debut solo album. Similarly, "Franckincense" was transformed into "Chasin' the Voodoo" on Di Meola's "Casino." This cross-pollination of musical ideas illustrates the interconnectedness of artists within the jazz-rock genre during the 1970s.

Production Credits

Mingo Lewis took on the role of producer for "Flight Never Ending." His hands-on approach to production likely contributed to the cohesive sound of the album. The recording sessions took place in a period marked by experimentation and fusion across genres, particularly in the jazz and rock scenes.

Released on September 9, 1976, "Flight Never Ending" features Lewis on percussion and synthesizers alongside an ensemble of talented musicians.