Search - Hank Mobley :: A Slice Of The Top

Mobley's Octet

Douglas T Martin | Alpharetta, GA USA | 02/12/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The four Mobley originals on this recording were written while Mobley was in prison during the mid sixties. Duke Pearson arranged the songs at Mobley's request and they were recorded upon Mobley's release. Inspired by Miles Davis' "Birth of the Cool" band but swinging much harder this modal/hardbop date kicks off with the tuba and euphonium playing the lead-in to "Hank's Other Bag" - Duke Pearson's mastery of arrangment is established within the first few measures of the song. Mobley is in fine form, as are the other all-stars - good songs, good performances, well worth finding.

Hank Mobley - Tenor Sax; Lee Morgan - Trumpet; James Spaulding - Alto Sax; Kiane Zawadi - Euphonium; Howard Johnson - Tuba; McCoy Tyner - Piano; Bob Cranshaw - Bass; Billy Higgins - Drums"

Hank Mobley's own favorite

C. Katz | Peoples Republic Of Massachussettes | 06/07/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Or the session he was most proud of it was said.Done in 1966 it was at the height of Hank Mobley's powers.This octet added the wonderful Kiane Ziwadi (one of the great McKinney brothers from Detroit) on Euphonium a horn with a register deeper than a baritone but lighter than a Tuba which here is played by Howard Johnson.Add that to James Spalding the under recognized sideman on alto (after Jackie McLean)at the stable of Blue Note you have Tyner,Cranshaw and Higgins all giving this incredible horn section a rhythmic foundation.But it is the whole rather than some of it's parts with Mobleys witting and arranging skills which make this session a classic.Hank Mobley only had one session as a leader in a classic quartet,"Soul Station" and we all know how that worked out.This is the opposite bookend.And in between he was simply "Mr. Blue Note" with "No Room For Squares","Workout","A Caddy For Daddy","Dippin'","High Voltage" etc.If you are a Blue Note/Mobley Fan and don't have it correct the oversight.

Peace

Chazz"

Superb Jazz, But Buyer Beware

Kenneth R. Cervelli | Clarksville, Tennessee | 03/08/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The recording itself is brilliant (as any Mobley fan will know). The sound on this CD-R version, however, isn't so hot. Blue Note listeners are familiar with the names of Ron McMaster and Rudy Van Gelder, but they won't find either of them on this version. 'Nuff said?"