Requisites
Straight No Filter ~ Hank Mobley | By Eddie Carter 5.4.25
This morning’s album from the library is one of my favorites by tenor man Hank Mobley. Straight No Filter (BlueNote BST 84435) is a 1986 release of previously unreleased tracks culled from three sessions in 1963, 1965, and 1966. Hank composed all the tracks on this album. He’s joined by Donald Byrd (track: B3), Freddie Hubbard (B1,B2), and Lee Morgan (A1 to A3) on trumpet, Herbie Hancock (B3), Barry Harris (B1, B2), and McCoy Tyner (A1 to A3), Paul Chambers (B1, B2), Bob Cranshaw (A1 to A3), and Butch Warren (B3) on bass, Billy Higgins (A1 to B2), and Philly Joe Jones (B3) on drums. My copy is the U.S. Direct Metal Mastering stereo release.
The title track, Straight No Filter, kicks off the album with the rhythm section’s lively introduction to the ensemble’s melody. Hank launches into the opening statement. Lee maintains the spirited groove in the following solo, and then McCoy takes the energy to a new level. Hank and Lee exchange a few choruses, leading back to the theme and climax. Chain Reaction starts swiftly from the trio’s introduction into the front line’s uptempo theme. Tyner leads the way with an infectiously energetic solo. Morgan swings into the second solo with considerable zest and a bright tone, then Mobley soars briskly through the finale into the theme’s restatement and a slow fade.
Soft Impressions opens with the rhythm section setting a soothing mood for the quintet’s theme. Hank establishes a smooth and easy groove in the opening statement. Lee adds to the relaxing atmosphere in the second interpretation, and then McCoy’s closing solo is as refreshing as an oasis in the desert until the theme’s reprise and climax. Third Time Around begins the second side with Chambers’s introduction ahead of the group’s medium melody. Mobley gets right down to business in the lead solo, then Hubbard provides a beautifully executed statement. Harris provides a pleasantly relaxing reading next, and Chambers walks with a bluesy bounce before the closing ensemble exits.
Hank’s Waltz is a catchy blues that Barry introduces ahead of the ensemble’s entrance. Hank breaks the ice with an infectious swing, then Lee adds a spicy touch in the second solo. Barry further elevates the mood in the final statement, before the theme is revisited and the rhythm section gently fades out. The group serves up a delicious plate of Syrup and Biscuits for the album’s finale. After the engaging theme is established, Mobley fires up the joyful energy in the opening solo. Byrd maintains a cheerful vibe in the following performance. Both horns engage in a vibrant exchange preceding the closing chorus.
Alfred Lion produced the original sessions, and Michael Cuscuna produced this release. Rudy Van Gelder was behind the dials on each date. The album boasts an excellent soundstage, transporting the musicians to the sweet spot in your listening room. Mobley was one of the best tenor men in jazz, with an outstanding discography as both leader and sideman. If you enjoy hard bop, consider adding Straight No Filter by Hank Mobley to your list on your next vinyl hunt. It’s a delightful surprise featuring some excellent playing by Hank and his bandmates across three stellar sessions, making it a highly recommended addition to any jazz library!
© 2025 by Edward Thomas Carter
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Maurice “Moe” Purtill was born May 4, 1916 in Huntington, New York and] dropped out of high school to start his career as a freelance drummer in New York Studios. At the age of 20 at the outset of 1936 he became a member of the Red Norvo band.
Later he joined Mildred Bailey, played briefly with Glenn Miller in 1937, then worked with Tommy Dorsey in 1938 for a year before picking up with Miller again from 1939 to 1942, when Miller had the bulk of his hits. After Miller’s band broke up in 1942, Moe played with Kay Kyser until 1944, then joined the U.S. Navy. After his discharge, he played briefly in 1946 with the reformed Glenn Miller Orchestra directed by Tex Beneke.
Purtill went on to record in the studio on various projects and participated in a few Miller reunions. He was good friends with Buddy Rich, Trigger Alpert and saxophonist Jack Palmer. He lived in New York City until the early 1970s, retired in 1978 and moved to Sarasota, Florida.
Drummer Moe Purtill died at Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, New Jersey on March 9, 1994.
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
David J. White was born May 3, 1968 in Houston, Texas and became a saxophone student at age eight. His love for jazz was nurtured by musicians and educators Conrad O. Johnson, Craig Green, and Dr. Robert Morgan. By the time he was sixteen he was playing with local bands in clubs and other musical events. While in high school he appeared in Saxophone Journal and other jazz education periodicals and won several awards including a DB award from DownBeat Magazine.
Moving to Washington, D.C. he attended Howard University and contributed to the Jazz Ensemble’s yearly recordings both as a performer and composer/producer. 1992 saw David meeting internationally renowned film maker Haile Gerima and composed, produced and performed the soundtrack for the critically acclaimed film Sankofa.
He went on to score other films and released his sophomore album on his own label titled Where I Left Off. This project represents a more aggressive style of composition and performance than his first release. He has performed with Rich Matheson, Billy Harper, Randy Brecker & Eliane Elias, and Lou Marini.
Tenor saxophonist David White continues to compose, perform, tour, produce and record.
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Jared Ribble was born in Neenah, Wisconsin on May 2, 1979. Growing up in small town America proved the right landscape to cultivate a desire to play drums. His parents bought him his first drum set when he was nine and gave him weekly private lessons through high school graduation.
He went on to attend Belmont University-Nashville, Tennessee and graduated in 2001 where he studied Commercial Music-Percussion Performance, along with private instruction. Ribble went on to perform with trumpeter Phil Driscoll, Broadway artist Jonathan Pierce, singer/songwriter Byron Keith, Denver Bierman, lead singer and founder of Denver and the Mile High Orchestra.
Jared tours and records with the contemporary big band, Denver and the Mile High Orchestra. Holding down an extensive recording schedule in his On Digital Ground recording studio with the On Digital Ground Studio House Band. He composes for the music group Storyteller, and frequently plays on the worship team of Grace Pointe-Nashville.
He is also Vice-President of Reel Loud Records asked Jared to come on their executive staff as Vice-President. In this role he helps find, and promote the recording careers of innovative and talented artists.
Drummer Jared Ribble continues to move forward his career in touring, recording and business.
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Nina Michelle was born on May 1, 1968 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. She began studying classical piano at an early age of 5 and after graduating with honours, she received a scholarship to continue her music studies in the music and vocal program at Capillano University in North Vancouver.
In Vancouver she regularly performed with Linton Garner at Rossinis jazz club. Her many tours to Switzerland with drummer Charly Antolini and his Jazz Power. Since 1994 she’s been touring Europe with some of the finest musicians.
In 1998 Nina recorded a soundtrack with the Billy Gorldt Orchestra as well as acted in a Süddeutsche-Rundfunk film production directed by Oliver Storz, Against the End of the Night. Nina’s current work includes a live big band recording with the Munich Swing Orchestra for the Bayerischer Rundfunk as well as a Swinging Christmas recording produced by Max Greger Jr.
She has performed with several big bands, including SWR Big Band in charge of Max Greger, featuring among other solo artists Benny Bailey and Hugo Strasser.
At the moment, Nina’s performing with her own quartet, an international group of well-acclaimed musicians, among them Canadian bassist Rocky Knauer, Tizian Jost and Guido May.
Vocalist Nina Michelle currently lives in Munich, Germany and continues to perform and record.
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