CiTR

This short-lived quintet led by tenor saxophone master Hank Mobley and pianist Cedar Walton constituted one of Mr. Mobley's final documentation on record. It was done in New York on February 22,1972. Hank was one of the most prolifically consistent musicians of the 50's and 60's and recorded dozens of fine albums mostly for Blue Note Records and also for Prestige and Savoy. Hank was a charter member of The Jazz Messengers, and worked with Max Roach a few times but was most prominent when he worked with Miles Davis from 1960 to 1962. His recorded output is tremendously consistent and his compositions fill most of these albums...the finest being on Blue Note. Hank made his last album for that label in 1970. After that, illness, affecting his lungs and deterioration from drugs and alcohol ruined his health. The Feature album, with this group marked his penultimate appearance on records. This fine band made up of Hank and Cedar included the unique voice of the baritone and soprano saxophones, Charles Davis, plus the fiery rhythm section of bassist Sam Jones and drummer Billy Higgins. All of the players have their feature moments on this album. Davis on baritone is featured on "Sabia" by A.C. Jobim, Walton gets a trio track and plays Henry Mancini's "Theme From Love Story". Hank Mobley's feature is his take on the Gershwin's "Summertime". Two great Mobley compositions are included here also: the opening title track is a burner and "Early Morning Stroll" cooks at a slightly lower flame. There are many wonderful moments throughout this record and we'll hear them all.
The final track on the Hank Mobley Feature is his final recorded appearance. He guested on one tune on a date with Catalonian pianist Tete Montoliu with bassist George Mraz and drummer Al Foster....Hank plays "Autumn Leaves". This was recorded in 1980. Hank Mobley died on May 30,1986 of ill health and in poverty, he was only 56. After his passing, whole generations of young musicians recognized Mr. Mobley as one of the musical giants of the last century and not only as a saxophonist who can sit alongside Coltrane and Rollins but a fine composer as well.