This review is from: Complete Jazz Message Sessions (Audio CD) One disc 63 minutes approximately. Digitally remastered. This is a wonderful set by Mobley that somehow has escaped review. These tracks were recorded in 1953 and 1956 and originally issued on the Savoy and Debut labels.

The first four tracks consist of Donald Byrd on trumpet,Ronnie Ball on piano,Doug Watkins on bass,and Kenny Clarke on drums. The next three tracks trade Ball for Barry Harris on piano. These sides were recorded in 1956. The first two tracks are hard-bop at it's finest. Both horns take the lead at times and Byrd sounds quite lively here. The third track is a ballad that gives Mobley a chance to shine. Pesonally I find Mobley's ballad work is his real forte,and even though he can burn up in the hard-bop medium his sound is most effective on slower more meditative pieces. The fourth track is a well known tune thats been done by virtually everyone. Byrd gets to shine on this ballad,but it's been done to death. Mobley comes in a plays with his usual tender sounding sax, and while it's nice it's nothing extraordinary.

The next three tracks are straight ahead blowing which sound of their time. Mobley gets a chance to shine,both out front and in ensemble playing. The addition of Harris on piano doesn't seem to make much difference in the overall sound. The next three tracks have Idrees Sulieman and Leon Comegys(?) on trumpets,Gigi Gryce on alto sax,Walter Davis Jr.on piano,Franklin Skeete(?) on bass,and Max Roach on drums. On these tracks Mobley is a bit lost-to many horns clutter up his sound. These tracks have a sound which seems to be from a much larger sounding group. Solos are short with everyone comping in the background. This,to me, is not the best way to hear Mobley at his finest.

The last six tracks are in a quartet setting. Mobley,Davis,Skeete,and Roach. On tracks twelve and seventeen Roach gets a bit of a drum solo,but thakfully it's not long. These sides are a combination of hard-bop,ballads,and mid-tempo tunes. Mobley gets to stand out front and plays in his inimitable fashion. These tracks are typical jazz blowing sides from this era,and if you like Mobley from his early days you will enjoy these.