Freddie Hubbard Albums (71)
What The Critics Say
This LP is (along with his Splash album on Fantasy) probably trumpeter Freddie Hubbard's worst recording. Hubbard, who is joined by a string section, five vocalists and an oversized orchestra, sounds like a parody of himself on these meaningless funk tracks. Why jazz's top trumpeter of the 1970s would allow himself to get sucked into this trashy Bob James production is debatable but there is no debate as to the merit of this fortunately out-of-print LP. This is insincere music that was dated before it was even released. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Imagine hearing trumpeter Freddie Hubbard sing! Truth be told he only joins in on the group vocal of "Put It in the Pocket" but that is about the only historic aspect to this wasteful release. While Hubbard's CTI recordings had perfectly balanced both the artistic and the commercial, much of his Columbia output sounds as if it was recorded strictly for the money. None of the six selections heard on this LP stayed in Hubbard's repertoire long (when was the last time that he performed "Midnight at the Oasis" and "Liquid Love"?) and the funky rhythms do little to uplift the music. George Cables, who plays keyboards on this album and was responsible for some of the arrangements has his name misspelled "Gables" on the album jacket; was he trying to hide his identity? ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'Without a Song: Live in Europe 1969'
Release Date 6/2/2009
Tracks 7
Label Blue Note
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What The Critics Say
The first album released posthumously after jazz legend Freddie Hubbard's passing in 2008, the recordings that make up Without a Song: Live in Europe 1969 actually sat in the Blue Note archives for 40 years. Recorded while Hubbard was touring Europe with producer Sonny Lester's The Jazz Wave on Tour revue, the album features performances culled from three separate nights -- two in England and one in Germany. While Hubbard had already released many of his most famous Blue Note solo albums by 1969, in truth the trumpeter had only started leading his own full-time touring band around 1966 after leaving Max Roach's ensemble. In that sense, Without a Song showcases Hubbard in his technical and creative prime as one of the premiere virtuoso jazz trumpeters of his generation. Backing Hubbard here are pianist Roland Hanna, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Louis Hayes, all of whom except for Carter would appear on the trumpeter's 1971 studio effort Hub of Hubbard, which was also recorded while on this tour. Tackling a handful of standards and two originals in "Space Track" and "Hub-Tones," Hubbard and his band balance the music deftly on the cusp of swinging hard bop and the adventurous modal free-bop Hubbard would delve into by the early '70s. While there are many fine live Hubbard recordings available, few are from this apex of his career. While that alone could put Without a Song near the top of the list of live Hubbard albums, ultimately it is the sheer brilliance of Hubbard's playing that makes this essential listening for any Hubbard fan. This is the Hubbard of jazz lore -- a golden god of the horn with an unceasingly inventive knack for both melodic simplicity and bold harmonic swagger. ~ Matt Collar, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
This well-recorded outing (which has been reissued on CD by Drive Archive) was trumpeter Freddie Hubbard's first worthwhile studio recording (with the exception of Super Blue) since the mid-'70s. Essentially a bebop date, Hubbard is teamed with a sextet comprised of altoist Richie Cole, trombonist Ashley Alexander, pianist George Cables, bassist Andy Simpkins and drummer John Dentz; altoist Med Flory sits in on "Byrdlike." Hubbard shows on such standards as "Shaw Nuff," "Star Eyes" and "Lover Man" that he could still play straightahead jazz with the best of them, Alexander is featured on "Stella by Starlight" and Cole is also in excellent form. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'On the Real Side (70th Birthday Celebration)'
Release Date 6/10/2008
Tracks 7
Label Times Square
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What The Critics Say
Like its predecessor, 2001's New Colors, On the Real Side, which again pairs Freddie Hubbard with the New Jazz Composers Octet (David Weiss, trumpet; Myron Walden, alto sax; Jimmy Greene, tenor and soprano sax; Steve Davis, trombone; Norbert Stachel, baritone sax and flute; Xavier Davis, piano; Dwayne Burno, bass; and E.J. Strickland, drums, plus guests Craig Handy, tenor sax on two tracks and flute on a third, and Russell Malone, guitar on the title tune), is in essence a victory lap for the veteran horn player, whose chops are admittedly diminished as he reaches age 70. Annotator Bill Milkowski makes no bones about that and even quotes Hubbard to the effect that "I gotta resolve myself to be happy with what I can do now...play a couple of choruses and get out." As such, this album -- with the exception of the newly written title track -- consists of re-recordings of Hubbard favorites, functioning as a tribute disc on which the honoree sits in. In that sense, it might be compared to the latter day recordings of Brian Wilson in the pop realm, in which a group of technically proficient Beach Boys fans efficiently plays the composer's music around him as he pitches in. At that, the result is not unpleasant, and Hubbard even manages some good solos, or at least parts of solos, before giving way to his acolytes. It is notable that he only plays flugelhorn, especially since he is glimpsed holding a trumpet on the album cover. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide
'A Soul Experiment'
Release Date 4/8/2002
Tracks 15
Label Warner Jazz
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What The Critics Say
Freddie Hubbard is heard exclusively on flügelhorn on this impressive release, accompanied by the New Jazz Composers Octet; although none of the octet members contributed any compositions to the session, trumpeter David Weiss did most of the arrangements, sometimes collaborating with Hubbard. Gone are the lip problems that plagued Hubbard somewhat during the 1990s, as he launches into his richly textured post-bop "One of Another Kind," which also has strong solos by tenor saxophonist Craig Handy and alto saxophonist Myron Walden. The leader's funky "Blues for Miles" is reminiscent of a street parade, while the Latin flavor of "Dizzy's Connotations" obviously salutes Dizzy Gillespie, and Hubbard also revisits his classic "Red Clay." The only song not from Hubbard's pen is Chick Corea's "Inner Space," a fine arrangement by Weiss that oddly features no trumpet or flügelhorn solos. The supporting cast on this topnotch CD also includes Kenny Garrett, Xavier Davis, Javon Jackson, and Dwayne Burno. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
'Jam Gems: Live at the Left Bank'
Release Date 1/30/2001
Tracks 5
Label Label M
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What The Critics Say
Recorded "live" at the famous Left Bank ballroom in Baltimore, MD, on June 13th, 1965, trumpeter Freddie Hubbard and tenor saxophonist Jimmy Heath literally blow the roof off during this jam session. Available for the very first time on Label M, Jam Gems is the fifth installment of the "Live" at the Left Bank series released in conjunction with the Left Bank Jazz Society. The CD captures two giants of jazz in their element, in complete accord with their audience, stretching, unfolding, and pushing their chops to new heights. The five songs included are filled with the excitement, sustained intensity, and nuances of that June night -- despite the fact that the concert was recorded on a home tape recorder! Joined by Gus Simms on piano, Wilbur Little on bass, and Bertell Knox on drums, Hubbard and Heath are at the height of their powers on the opener "All Members," "Bluesville," the Billie Holiday anthem "Lover Man," "What Is This Thing Called Love," and a 17-minute rendition of "Autumn Leaves." Heath takes a solo that is supposedly the longest on record and accordingly leaves the audience reeling in its wake. Jam Gems is jazz history documented at its finest and is a must-have for anyone interested in the energies and nuances of "live" jazz in the '60s. ~ Paula Edelstein, All Music Guide
'At Jazz Jamboree Warszawa '91: A Tribute to Miles'
Release Date 12/12/2000
Tracks 4
Label Starburst
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