Hank Mobley - TURNAROUND (LP) ((Vinyl))

This edition of THE TURNAROUND includes two tracks, "East of the Village" and "The Good Life," which were recorded in 1963, that did not appear on the original CD release. It also omits two tracks, "Hank's Waltz" and "Third Time Around," which were recorded at the February 1965 session that produced the remainder of the tracks.
Personnel: Hank Mobley (tenor saxophone); Freddie Hubbard, Donald Byrd (trumpet); Barry Harris, Herbie Hancock (piano); Butch Warren, Paul Chambers (bass); Billy Higgins, Philly Joe Jones (drums).
Producer: Alfred Lion.
Reissue producer: Michael Cuscuna.
Recorded at the Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey on March 7, 1963 and February 5, 1965. Originally released on Blue Note (4186). Includes liner notes by Del Shields and Bob Blumenthal.
Digitally remastered using 24-bit technology by Rudy Van Gelder (2000, Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey).
This is part of the Blue Note Rudy Van Gelder Editions series.
Hank Mobley's later Blue Note sessions took on a much harder edge than his earlier efforts. The saxophonist's round tone became funkier as he delved deeper into the popular soul-jazz style that had been introduced with Lee Morgan's hit "The Sidewinder." THE TURNAROUND is one of Mobley's best releases of this period, offering many unforgettable solo moments as well as some intense small group workouts.
The obvious "Sidewinder" reference comes not only with Barry Harris and Billy Higgins, but also with the funky groove of the title track, a prerequisite with most mid-'60s Blue Note dates, but the remainder of the set features a well-rounded collection of hard bop styles. The aptly named "Straight Ahead" offers some of the hardest swinging of the date coupled with an excitingly intricate head section. In contrast, Mobley is at his smoky best on the moving ballad "My Sin." Freddie Hubbard, too, is exceptional throughout, coming in at his peak of performance. He and Mobley make an excellent front line, especially on the raucous closing cut "Pat 'N' Chat."

• RSD Release Date: n/a
• Genre: Jazz