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
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