Hank Mobley - Soul Station (1960/2013) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

"Soul Station" is Hank Mobley’s timeless masterpiece. Mobley was one of Blue Note’s definitive hard-bop artists and one of music’s leading tenor saxophonists. This 1960 set features the stellar quartet comprised of Mobley, Art Blakey, Wynton Kelly and Paul Chambers. The musicians are at the height of their powers, delivering sheer perfection. This flawless outing features the classic tunes: “This I Dig of You”, “Split Feelin’s”, “Remember” and “If I Should Lose You”. This is an absolutely essential album for any music lover’s collection.

Often overlooked, perhaps because he wasn't a great innovator in jazz but merely a stellar performer, tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley was at the peak of his powers on Soul Station. Recorded with a superstar quartet including Art Blakey on drums, Paul Chambers on bass, and Wynton Kelly on piano, it was the first album since Mobley's 1955 debut to feature him as a leader without any other accompanying horns. The clean, uncomplicated sound that resulted from that grouping helps make it the best among his albums and a peak moment during a particularly strong period in his career. Mobley has no problem running the show here, and he does it without being flashy or burying the strong work of his sidemen. The solidness of his technique means that he can handle material that is occasionally rhythmically intricate, while still maintaining the kind of easy roundness and warmth displayed by the best players of the swing era. Two carefully chosen standards, "Remember" and "If I Should Lose You," help to reinforce that impression by casting an eye back to the classic jazz era. They bookend four Mobley originals that, in contrast, reflect the best of small-group composition with their lightness and tight dynamics. Overall, this is a stellar set from one of the more underrated musicians of the bop era.

Tracklist:

01 - Remember
02 - This I Dig of You
03 - Dig Dis
04 - Split Feelin's
05 - Soul Station
06 - If I Should Lose You

Produced by Alfred Lion. Engineered by Rudy Van Gelder.
Recorded on February 7, 1960 at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ.

Musicians:
Hank Mobley - tenor sax
Wynton Kelly - piano
Paul Chambers - bass
Art Blakey - drums

About the Mastering:
In preparing these hi def remasters, we were very conscientious about maintaining the feel of the original releases while adding a previously unattainable transparency and depth. It now sounds like you've set up your chaise lounge right in the middle of Rudy Van Gelder's studio! – Blue Note President, Don Was.

Thanks to the Original customer!