"Music For Todo Modo", for me, reflects all too clearly its origins as film underscore, while the title piece occupying the other side of the same album (Cumbia And Jazz Fusion, Atlantic 1977) is Mingus's last great extended work. It answers his retrospective needs, and once again it forms a satisfying whole. Its opening Latin sections (doubtless as far from genuine Cumbia as most Latin jazz is from the real thing) can be related back to "The Story Of Love" , its 'straight' bebop sections are more like 50s Mingus than typical bop, and its one bit of political satire is voiced. And, to cap it all, there's a closing guest spot by the long-estranged Jimmy Knepper.
