This is one of tenor saxophonist
Hank Mobley's more intriguing sessions, for the talented composer had an opportunity to have four of his originals, plus the standard "There's a Lull in My Life," performed by an octet in the cool-toned style of
Miles Davis's "Birth of the Cool" nonet, arranged by
Duke Pearson. Although recorded in 1966, this date was not released until 1979 (and reissued on CD in 1995).
Mobley, who continued to evolve into a more advanced player throughout the 1960s, fits right in with such adventurous players as altoist
James Spaulding, trumpeter
Lee Morgan (with whom
Mobley recorded frequently), pianist
McCoy Tyner, bassist
Reggie Workman and drummer
Billy Higgins. The inclusion of
Kiane Zawadi on euphonium and
Howard Johnson on tuba adds a lot of color to this memorable outing. ~ Scott Yanow