Hank Mobley – Roll Call (Blue Note Classic)

Tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley was on a serious roll in 1960 when he recorded Roll Call, the middle album in a trilogy of hard bop masterpieces that includes the tenor saxophonist's equally essential albums Soul Station and Workout. For Roll Call, Mobley reconvened the Soul Station rhythm section of pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Art Blakey with the addition of Freddie Hubbard on trumpet. The quintet delivers invigorating performances of Mobley originals including the spirited title track, the swaggering "My Groove Your Move," and the church-infused "Baptist Beat." A sublimely swinging version of "The More I See You" is the lone standard on this six-song hard bop masterclass.

This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is stereo, all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.

Review

Mobley's performance throughout the recording is stylish without being restrained, and the strength of his songwriting shines on five of the album's six songs.

-Stacia Proefrock, AllMusic.com, 4.5/5 stars