Search - Freddie Hubbard :: First Light

Fine Album, Lousy Mastering Job

Eric M. Asetta | Boston, MA | 01/06/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"With the recent death of Freddie Hubbard, maybe somebody at Sony will wake up and see fit to do a decent remastering of what is truly one of Freddie's best. While the leader's horn cuts through loud and clear, the other instruments have been reduced to a tinny, poppy mess on this CD. Jack DeJonette's drums sound like popping corn and scarcely reflect the rhythmic mastery and nuance he brings to this album. Ron Carter, one of the great bassists, is barely audible. Come on, Sony, do the right thing. Twenty years in digital time is an eternity."

Great Music

BuzzGuy | Madison, WI, USA | 04/13/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First Light is the third of a prolific relationship between Freddie Hubbard and CTI records, and the first to feature the gorgeous arrangements of Don Sebesky. The orchestration gives the title track a spacey mood over which Freddie and guitarist George Benson play gently, yet very strongly. Listening to it truly takes me to a special place and leaves me awestruck, with the image of the first light of morning the song evokes. The cover of "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" pulls the same trick with tougher solos and an arrangement that keeps the melody intact. Benson's solo here is tough, smart and imaginative, the place he would go on his own "Bad Benson" in 1974. Fair to say, these guys were on a roll. The Sebesky charts suggest the best of Gil Evans's work for Miles Davis. Yes, the year was 1971. Jazz was starting to sound different. To the string section skeptics, my heart goes out. There's some gorgeous playing on here and word is, "First Light" was Freddie's personal favorite.



PS: Make sure you get the RVG edition with the bonus live version of "First Light". It translates great to an unorchestrated setting and Freddie's performance is nothing short of a religious experience."