Customer Reviews
Holy Mobley!! - By: David Johnson, 21 Apr 2007 
This beautfully timed record stands shoulder to shoulder with, "No room for squares," as the classicin Mobley's body of work.
Hank's sweet, soulful sax effortlessly hums along on the operner and,"This I dig of you," accompanied by Chambers bass that just pings. Blakey had perfected his technique at this point & was at the very height of his powers, he works with the rest of the rhythm section like a magnificent steam train.
It all slides along to perfection on the effortlessly classy,"Dig Dis," Mobley's round sax bouncing to the rhythm. When you listen to his playing it all sounds so leisurely, like he never has the need to stretch himself
"Split Feelin," is a rolling bluesy number, again technically flawless. The track dovetails nicely into the more languid, shuffling title track. The absence of a trumpet really allows the bandleader to take centre stage. Things are wrapped up nicely with the smooth,"If I should loose you," another taste of seamless blowing.
You won't find anything that changed the world on this, it's a standard session with a couple of standards, some funkier numbers & a ballad thrownin between. This record stands out for it's technical perfection. For slices of pure magic, there are fewer other recordsin the Blue Note back-catalogue that rival this.
Modern jazz at its greatest. Hank Nobley- Art Blakey - By: , 20 Dec 2005 Well I cant say i agree with some other reviewers on this album.
This is one of the greatest jazz Albums ever.Any body who knows anything about jazz will agree.It is a prime example of the Drummer driving & controling the front line.A very advanced skill it is often not understoodin any jazz college.
It is a great education for any jazz fan or jazz player.Hanks unique use of down beat modulation is sublime & Art Blakey's drive & constant underlying 12/8 movement to allow him to give ultimate freedom to Mobley at the same time creating drive & if needed control.
Eevery one who digs modern jazz should have this album.
An unqualified masterpiece by an underrated artist - By: Joseph V. Zizza, 18 Jun 2005 This album (along with Roll Call & Workout) is the epitome of un-showy saxophone mastery. Mobley plays slightly behind the beat, & his subtle use of harmonics & slightly foggy undertone make him an acquired taste, but this album is funky, soulful, swinging & tough. He never shows off, & never plays just to hear himself play, but there is thinking as well as feelingin his playing, as This I Dig Of You, for example, amply demonstrates. This album belongsin every jazz fan's collection. Absolutely first-rate!
Competent - By: DrSax, 12 Nov 2004 
Hank Mobley was more than workman-like, to be sure, & he was well used to playing with Wynton Kelly & Paul Chambers (listen to him with Miles Davis at the Blackhawk, for instance, where he sounds really good), but never really took off on his own. His warm tone suits the recently re-issued vinyl version better than the CD. Not bad, but not too rewarding either.
Big, rich, soulful tone - By: Gareth Smyth, 17 Sep 2003 
Hank Mobley had a famously disorganised, drug-oriented lifestyle that maybe prevented him getting a longer slotin the Miles Davis band (he joinedin 1961 & left the year afterwards), but he had a wonderful style & big, rich tone that this recording, madein 1960, showcases on mainly his own compositions. Art Blakey (Mobley had beenin the Mesengers) ensures things never get too laid back as Wynton Kelly & Paul Chambers joinin a very soulful outing. The remastered sound, by the way, is warm & intimate.
