Back catalogue: All genres

Review: By 1960, Georgia-born tenor saxophonist Mobley was at the height of his powers, crafting a trilogy of hard bop masterpiecesiSoul Station, Roll Call and Workout. Roll Call, the middle entry, finds Mobley leading an inspired quintet featuring the young and fiery Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, alongside the rock-solid Soul Station rhythm section of pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Paul Chambers and the explosive Art Blakey on drums. The result is a hard bop stunner, bursting with energy, interplay and lyrical phrasing. This reissue opens with the dynamic title track, a minor-key powerhouse that jumps out of the speakers, pushing each musician to deliver their best. Mobley and Hubbard's chemistry is electrifying, their solos crackling with urgency. The swaggering 'My Groove Your Move' follows, built on a confident, swinging groove, while 'A Baptist Beat' channels the deep, soulful call-and-response tradition of the black church. A second take of the latter further showcases the group's enthusiasm and spontaneity. The album's only standard, 'The More I See You', is a sublime moment of restraint, with Hubbard's use of the harmon mute adding a delicate, smoky touch. Mobley's playing here epitomises his gift for melodic improvisationisubtle yet deeply expressive. His warm, bluesy tone and sophisticated phrasing made him one of the most lyrical saxophonists of his era. Even decades later, Roll Call remains a cornerstone of hard bop.

Review: Recorded in 1967, this jazz classic is a quintessential hard bop album that proves why the tenor saxophonist's signature sound was so influential. The seven-piece band includes alto saxophonist James Spaulding, trumpeter Lee Morgan, guitarist Sonny Greenwich, pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Walter Booker and drummer Billy Higgins and the ensemble's tight chemistry and individual virtuosity shine throughout the album with Mobley's smooth yet dynamic saxophone leading the way. A blend of intricate solos and rich ensemble passages, Third Season is a standout example of the era's high-calibre jazz and one that captures the spirit of the late 60s perfectly.

Review: Hank Mobley's A Slice of the Top, recorded in 1966, is Mobley's nod to Birth of the Cool, blending hard bop with Duke Pearson's brilliant arrangements. With an expanded octet featuring unique additions like euphonium and tuba alongside a stellar lineupiJames Spaulding on alto sax, Lee Morgan on trumpet, McCoy Tyner on piano, Bob Cranshaw on bass and Billy Higgins on drumsithe album is a richly layered experience. This Tone Poet Vinyl Edition, produced by Joe Harley and mastered by Kevin Gray from original tapes, arrives on 180g vinyl in a deluxe gatefold tip-on jacket.