What makes The Flip by Hank Mobley notable?

The Flip received positive reviews upon release and has since been recognized for its contribution to the hard bop genre. Its emphasis on melody and groove influenced numerous jazz musicians and helped maintain Mobley's presence in the evolving jazz scene of the early 1970s. Released in June 1970, The Flip marks Hank Mobley's return after a four-year hiatus from studio recordings. This album comes at a time when Mobley was seeking to redefine his sound, transitioning into a more soulful approach while still rooted in hard bop, showcasing his evolution as an artist.

The Flip works well if you're into steady mid-tempo groove throughout, inviting melodies for relaxed listening and great for morning coffee sessions.

How many songs are on The Flip?

The Flip has 5 tracks, running approximately 38 minutes.

The Flip

Hank Mobley · 1970

38 min · 5 tracks · jazz

A vibrant blend of hard bop and soul jazz, characterized by intricate melodies and rhythmic complexity.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Flip — Opening the album with an infectious rhythm, this title track showcases Mobley’s signature saxophone style that intertwines fluidity with intricate improvisation.
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Feelin' Folksy — This track stands out for its playful interaction between the instruments, highlighting Mobley’s ability to blend traditional jazz elements with a folk influence.
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Early Morning Stroll — The relaxed tempo and warm tones create a reflective mood, demonstrating Mobley’s skill in conveying emotion through melodic phrasing.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album blends hard bop and soul jazz with intricate melodies and rhythmic complexity, making it a notable entry in Mobley's discography.

What we noticed

The album features five tracks, all of which maintain a consistent mid-tempo groove, allowing for extended improvisation.
Each track showcases intricate melodies that are often passed between the saxophone and piano, creating a conversational dynamic.
The rhythm section employs syncopated patterns that enhance the overall swing feel, particularly in 'Snappin' and 'Early Morning Stroll'.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

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 throughout
inviting melodies for relaxed listening
great for morning coffee sessions
consistent flow across all tracks

Maybe skip if you

prefer fast-paced listening experiences
seek abrupt dynamic shifts

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in June 1970, The Flip marks Hank Mobley's return after a four-year hiatus from studio recordings. This album comes at a time when Mobley was seeking to redefine his sound, transitioning into a more soulful approach while still rooted in hard bop, showcasing his evolution as an artist.
Stylistic neighbors: Lee Morgan· Wayne Shorter· Donald Byrd

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 The Flip 8:50
2 Feelin' Folksy 8:25
3 Snappin' 8:08
4 18th Hole 5:51
5 Early Morning Stroll 6:47

What to play next

Listen next

A Slice of the Top

1979

Go back to

Reach Out

1968

Full Hank Mobley discography Artists like Hank Mobley

hard bop soul

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata