By Hudson Dexter
Jazz music is characterized by the way it brings together art, improvisation, and humanity itself, and one figure stands out as a cornerstone of what makes up jazz. Saxophonist Hank Mobley is one of the most influential musicians of jazz history. In his time, he was often overshadowed by saxophone giants including John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins. Even so, Mobley made an unmistakable mark on jazz history, and his legacy has only continued to grow over time. He was one of the defining musicians of the hard bop movement, and his notably melodic and lyrical playing style helped carve out an unmistakable sound. Many consider Mobley’s magnum opus to be his 1960 album, “Soul Station”. Released on Blue Note Records in 1960, “Soul Station” features Hank Mobley on Tenor Saxophone, Wynton Kelly on Piano, Paul Chambers on Bass, and Art Blakey on Drums. The lyrical playing of Mobley alongside this all-star rhythm section comes together to create a true jazz masterpiece. The two tracks that make this album so great are “Remember” and “This I Dig of You”.
“Remember”, originally written by Irving Berlin, is potentially the best example of Mobley’s fascinating melodic and lyrical playing on the whole record. Mobley effortlessly tells a complete story through his solo, weaving through different melodic ideas; all glued together by impeccable phrasing, and killer comping from the rhythm section. Wynton Kelly delivers an unforgettable sound through his comping with Hank Mobley’s solo, using call and response techniques, unique rhythmic ideas, and a balance of acknowledging Mobley’s material while adding his own talents to the mix.
“This I Dig of You”, a swinging uptempo track, serves as a true showcase of what a talented drummer can bring to the mix. Art Blakey’s unique ride cymbal and tom choices bring a layer of unprecedented excitement and energy. Furthermore, Blakey’s solo near the end of the track showcases how one can tell a musical story even without necessarily using pitch. He sticks to just a few different musical ideas, namely 6th Stroke Rolls, Single Stroke 4s, and Quarter Note Triplets, in order to establish continuity, and in turn he allows his orchestration and phrasing abilities to carry his solo through until the end.
Ultimately, the 1960 record “Soul Station” stands tall as a beacon of the Hard Bop movement and serves as Hank Mobley’s defining work. The record showcases an unparalleled level of connection between a rhythm section and a soloist, and presents some of the best examples of what Jazz soloing can be. Seldom do so many beautifully talented players come together to share in the art of Jazz, but magic was captured on tape through “Soul Station”.
Photo credit: Blue Note Records
