Charles Mingus - 1974

‘Duke Ellington’s Sound of Love’ is on the essential Mingus album “Changes One” with Don Pullen on piano.

Duke Ellington’s Sound of Love
Duke Ellington’s Sound of Love

A distinguishing feature of this composition is the skillful use of Upper Structure Extensions (Link). Altered 9, 11 and 13 extensions are used prominently in the melody. This is a signature Mingus sound while still harkening back to Ellington.

The piece begins with a tritone substitution (Link) of the V chord in Db major. The sharp 9 is on top. The rest of the A-section (Example 1) is fairly straightforward harmonically. 

Duke Ellington’s Sound of Love
Example 1

The B-section (Example 2) goes through a series of II-V-I changes in various keys. 

Duke Ellington’s Sound of Love
Example 2