If the title of "Mr. Blue Note" had been given out to a performer, tenor-saxophonist Hank Mobley would have been its recipient. Mobley's smooth tone and style defined the hard bop era. He put plenty of emotion and intensity into every note he played. During 1955-70, Blue Note's greatest years, Mobley led 25 Blue Note albums and appeared as a sideman on a countless number of others.

Originally a pianist, he switched permanently to tenor when he was 16. After playing r&b during 1949-51, he gained a strong reputation during important associations with Max Roach, Dizzy Gillespie, Horace Silver and especially the original version of the Jazz Messengers. Soul Station, a quartet gem from 1960, is unusual for Hank in that for the first time since his 1955 debut his is the only horn.

Mobley heads a group that includes pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Art Blakey; needless to say, a stellar rhythm section! This album features Hank Mobley at the peak of his powers, taking lengthy solos full of passion and drive, balancing exciting ideas with a thoughtful approach. His four originals include his most famous composition, "This I Dig Of You", which he squeezes for every ounce of its expressive power.

Hank plays with heartbreaking lyricism on the two standards "If I Should Lose You and "Remember" and creates masterful statements throughout this essential set. If proof were ever needed of Hank Mobley's greatness, Soul Station is perfect evidence.

Like all Music Matters Jazz releases, this audiophile vinyl reissue is mastered from the original analog tape and pressed on 180g virgin vinyl at RTI in Camarillo, CA. The highest quality gatefold cover features original session photography on the inside.

See more Hank Mobley records here.