Hank Mobley’s ‘No Room For Squares’ is a mind-blowing Hard Bop set. Its six tracks were recorded in two separate sessions both from 1963. Four tracks including the swinging ‘No Room For Squares’ and the blistering ‘Three Way Split’ feature trumpeter Lee Morgan in lung busting form. They also introduce pianist Andrew Hill on one of his earliest Blue Note dates. Philly Joe Jones is the drummer on both sessions and what a master class in Bop drumming it is. Bassist on this, the second session chronologically is John Ore. Morgan’s sweet ballad ‘Carolyn’ adds a melancholy twist and provides a brief respite from the funky mayhem that precedes and follows. ‘Me N You’ is a measured Blues all be it with a Latin tinge. It is the second Lee Morgan piece the other four being Hank Mobley compositions. The two tracks from the first session feature Donald Byrd and a young Herbie Hancock as well as bassist Butch Warren. ‘Old World New Imports’ cooks relentlessly, but it is ‘Up A Step’ that blows all before and after it. Hank Mobley’s tenor playing was at its apex at this point, combining an easy fluid style with bucket loads of Soul. As an introduction to Hank’s music and to Hard Bop ‘No Room For Squares’ is as good as any. Indeed, it is one of those magical, timeless Blue Note LPs that not just warrants a five-star review but seems to transcend time itself. Essential stuff.
Track listings:
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01 Three Way Split by Hank Mobley
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02 Carolyn by Hank Mobley
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03 Up A Step by Hank Mobley
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04 No Room For Squares by Hank Mobley
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05 Me ‘N You by Hank Mobley
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06 Old World, New Imports by Hank Mobley
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