Doug Watkins – Watkins At Large- Blue Note Tone Poet Series 180g Vinyl
Recorded in 1956 for producer Tom Wilson's short-lived Boston-based label Transition Records, Watkins At Largewas the first of only two albums that the great bassist Doug Watkins would make as a leader. The Detroit native had moved to New York and begun to garner recognition for his contributions to the Art Blakey-Horace Silver co-led iteration of the Jazz Messengers as well as Bud Powell's trio when Wilson decided to give him the opportunity to front his own recording date.
Along with a first-rate ensemble featuring trumpeter Donald Byrd, tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley, guitarist Kenny Burrell, pianist Duke Jordan, and drummer Art Taylor, Watkins swings through a stellar set of blues, ballads, and more including originals written by Jordan, Burrell, and Thad Jones.
Hank Mobley – A Caddy for Daddy – (Blue Note Tone Poet) – Blue Note 180g Vinyl
Hank Mobley – A Slice of the Top (Blue Note Tone Poet Series) Blue Note 180G Vinyl
Tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley had already been building a formidable Blue Note catalog for more than a decade when he conceived of his unique album A Slice of the Top, which was recorded in 1966 but not first released until 1979 as part of the LT Series.
Inspired by Miles Davis’ Birth of the Cool, Mobley collaborated with Duke Pearson who arranged four Mobley originals and the pop standard “There’s a Lull In My Life” for an octet that added Kiane Zawadi’s euphonium and Howard Johnson’s tuba to a group consisting of James Spaulding on alto saxophone and flute, Lee Morgan on trumpet, McCoy Tyner on piano, Bob Cranshaw on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums.
Behold Mobley’s lyrical flights on standout tunes including “Hank’s Other Bag,” “A Touch of Blue,” and “A Slice of the Top.”
Hank Mobley – Soul Station Blue Note 180G Vinyl
Tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley had already led nine dates for Blue Note Records by the time he arrived at Rudy Van Gelder's studio on February 7, 1960 with pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Art Blakey, but on that day the quartet laid down what would become his masterpiece: Soul Station. The crystalline six-song set was a showcase for Mobley's lyrical flow from the breezy opening take on Irving Berlin's 'Remember' through bluesy originals like 'Dig Dis' and the title track, and the swinging up-tempo numbers 'This I Dig of You' and 'Split Feelin's.' Soul Station endures as a jazz classic for the ages..
