Far Away Lands
Hank Mobley · 1984
35 min · 6 tracks · jazz
A vibrant mix of hard bop and soul jazz, infused with a playful energy and melodic sophistication.
Top tracks — play these first
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Far Away Lands — The title track encapsulates the album's essence with its lilting melody and dynamic interplay among instruments, showcasing Mobley's lyrical saxophone style.
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Soul Time — This track features a compelling groove and rich harmonies that highlight Mobley’s ability to fuse emotion with technical skill, making it a standout on the album.
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Bossa for Baby — With its Brazilian influences, this track demonstrates Mobley's versatility and willingness to experiment with different rhythms while maintaining his signature sound.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalMobley's intricate saxophone work and varied tempos create an engaging yet cohesive listening experience.
What we noticed
- Each track features a prominent saxophone melody, often accompanied by a tight rhythm section that emphasizes syncopation.
- The final track, 'Soul Time', concludes with a gradual fade-out, creating a sense of closure after the energetic preceding pieces.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo groove
- lyrical saxophone melodies
- for relaxed afternoons
- engaging background for conversation
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced excitement
- seek abrupt song transitions
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1984, Far Away Lands is Hank Mobley's final studio album, coming after a prolific career that saw him emerge as a distinctive voice in hard bop. At this point, Mobley's work had transitioned into more exploratory territory, showcasing his mature sound developed over decades of collaboration with jazz greats.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Lee Morgan· Wayne Shorter· Donald Byrd
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Soul Time
The bridge features a sudden shift in tempo that elevates the emotional intensity with each phrase building upon the last.
This rhythmic change not only adds excitement but also showcases Mobley’s skillful navigation of complex musical structures.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 A Dab of This and That 5:14
- 2 Far Away Lands 5:34
- 3 No Argument 6:31
- 4 The Hippity Hop 5:39
- 5 Bossa for Baby 6:08
- 6 Soul Time 6:45
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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