Released 71 years ago this October
Hank Mobley Quartet
Hank Mobley · 1955
34 min · 8 tracks · jazz
A vibrant hard bop record blending intricate melodies with rhythmic improvisation, showcasing a deep interplay among the quartet members.
Top tracks — play these first
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Hank’s Prank — This track opens the album with an infectious rhythm and playful melody that encapsulates the group's dynamic interaction and sets the tone for the recording.
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My Sin — The haunting ballad showcases Mobley's lyrical style, allowing space for emotional expression while highlighting the harmony between saxophone and piano.
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Love for Sale — Mobley's interpretation of this classic standard infuses it with a fresh energy through inventive phrasing and engaging improvisation, demonstrating his virtuosity.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases strong compositions and solid performances, contributing to its significance in the hard bop genre.
What we noticed
- The first four tracks feature intricate melodies that are often exchanged between the saxophone and piano, creating a dynamic interplay.
- Each track maintains a consistent mid-tempo groove, allowing for rhythmic improvisation without losing momentum.
- The album includes two alternate takes, which provide insight into the group's creative process but do not alter the overall flow of the original tracks.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. 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
- vibrant melodies for conversation
- short sessions with rich detail
- soulful interludes for relaxation
Maybe skip if you
- seeking fast-paced excitement
- prefer standalone hit singles
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time of its release in October 1955, Hank Mobley was gaining recognition as a prominent tenor saxophonist within the burgeoning hard bop movement. This album followed his earlier work on Blue Note Records and marked a significant moment in his career, establishing him as a bandleader while collaborating with notable artists like pianist McCoy Tyner and drummer Elvin Jones.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Lee Morgan· Wayne Shorter· Donald Byrd
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Hank’s Prank 4:30
- 2 My Sin 3:50
- 3 Avila and Tequila 4:31
- 4 Walkin’ the Fence 3:40
Disc 2
- 1 Love for Sale 4:31
- 2 Just Coolin’ 4:11
- 3 Walkin’ the Fence (alternate take) 4:33
- 4 Hank’s Prank (alternate take) 4:20
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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