There's no doubt that Hank Mobley, the leader of this album, is an essential figure in the golden age of hard bop, a time when modern jazz flourished. He participated in a great number of albums, leaving behind many memorable performances and masterpieces. This album, recorded in 1960, is a representative work and a popular record that remains in the history of hard bop. The members, Freddie Hubbard (tp), Wynton Kelly (p), Paul Chambers (b), and the great Art Blakey (ds), are all among the best of their time, and they deliver a superb performance that is truly jazz. The repertoire is also noteworthy, as it features Mobley's own compositions for all but one song, making it an ambitious work. US BlueNote BST 84058 liberty label RVG STEREO 1M 114 The original was released in 1960, but this record is believed to be a repress from around 1967 after Liberty's acquisition. The coated jacket shows signs of aging, with scratches, peeling, damage, dirt, and writing, and has been repaired with tape. The record has scratches and slight bumps, especially on side A (photos 11-14). There is a small, recurring crackling noise at the beginning of A-1, a crackling noise at the beginning of A-2, and a slight buzzing sound at the beginning of B-1. Overall, it's not as bad as it looks, and side B is in good condition. It has the overwhelming, powerful stereo sound of vangelder, but please refrain from purchasing if you are sensitive to noise. This item is offered at a special price considering its overall condition.