HANK MOBLEY
Soul Station (Blue Note)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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When Leonard Feather dubbed Hank Mobely the "middleweight champion of the tenor," it was a reference to his tone (someplace between Lester Young and Sonny Rollins), not his talent. Mobley was often overlooked and underrated, but he was nonetheless an important part of the development of hard bop. His status as a founding member of the Jazz Messengers is enough to grant him that status. His work as a player and composer on album's like this 1960 Blue Note session only serves to emphasize his true stature.

This album provided Mobley a rare opportunity to shine without the presence of other horns, and he took full advantage of the freedom the situation offered. It didn't hurt a bit that he had the support of as fine a rhythm section as the Blue Note lineup could provide. With Wynton Kelly on piano, Paul Chambers on bass and Art Blakey on drums, many lesser talents could have produced a fine album. With Mobley's talents in front, the quartet created a classic.

This release is part of the Rudy Van Gelder Edition series, with remastering by the legendary engineer himself and the resulting sound is as good as the music deserves, which is very, very good. If you have a copy in another format, it's time to upgrade. If you don't have a copy at all it's high time you did.

Track List:

Remember * This I Dig Of You * Dig Dis * Split Feelin's * Soul Station * If I Should Lose You

© 2000 - Shaun Dale