From the 1960s to the late '80s, Indianapolis-born trumpeter Freddie Hubbard was arguably the greatest jazz trumpeter on the planet. In the early '90s his lip was damaged by overwork and cancer, which put him out of commis... more »sion for about a decade. With this CD on drummer Lenny White's Hip Bop label, Hubbard plays the flugelhorn, and is backed by the cutting-edge New Composers Octet. Sounding like he did with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, the freshness and attack of Hubbard's Clifford Brown-inspired tone is back. His new tunes, the gospel-funk number "Blues for Miles" and the majestic Latin-tinged "Dizzy's Connotations," pay tribute to his trumpet idols. The CD also boasts several soulful and swinging renditions of Hubbard's classic compositions, such as the fast-paced "One of Another Kind" from Hubbard's V.S.O.P. days with Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams, and his dynamic Blue Note-era numbers, including the waltz-like "Blue Spirits" and the danceable "Osie Mae." The highlight of this recording is the rhythmic reincarnation of Hubbard's '70s soul fusion hit "Red Clay," which is reborn in rousing fashion by Hubbard's articulate improvisational flights. Add the sterling solos of alto saxophonist Myron Walden, pianist Xavier Davis, and bassist Dwayne Burno, and you have a CD that proves that Freddie Hubbard is back! --Eugene Holley Jr.« less
From the 1960s to the late '80s, Indianapolis-born trumpeter Freddie Hubbard was arguably the greatest jazz trumpeter on the planet. In the early '90s his lip was damaged by overwork and cancer, which put him out of commission for about a decade. With this CD on drummer Lenny White's Hip Bop label, Hubbard plays the flugelhorn, and is backed by the cutting-edge New Composers Octet. Sounding like he did with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, the freshness and attack of Hubbard's Clifford Brown-inspired tone is back. His new tunes, the gospel-funk number "Blues for Miles" and the majestic Latin-tinged "Dizzy's Connotations," pay tribute to his trumpet idols. The CD also boasts several soulful and swinging renditions of Hubbard's classic compositions, such as the fast-paced "One of Another Kind" from Hubbard's V.S.O.P. days with Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams, and his dynamic Blue Note-era numbers, including the waltz-like "Blue Spirits" and the danceable "Osie Mae." The highlight of this recording is the rhythmic reincarnation of Hubbard's '70s soul fusion hit "Red Clay," which is reborn in rousing fashion by Hubbard's articulate improvisational flights. Add the sterling solos of alto saxophonist Myron Walden, pianist Xavier Davis, and bassist Dwayne Burno, and you have a CD that proves that Freddie Hubbard is back! --Eugene Holley Jr.
CD Reviews
Awesome arrangements!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jack zylkin | wilmington, DE United States | 11/02/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The horn arrangements on this album are phenominal. If you are a fan of gil evans' work with miles, you will LOVE these horn lines! The harmonies they use are so beautifully exotic that I teared up listening to them the first time and still get chills. The sound samples dont do justice to the extremely energetic and tight horn arrangements, or to Hub's tone which I think sounds as good (though not as fat) as before his health problems. The best way to describe the feel of this album is "Miles Ahead" except funkier and with an all-star cast of ferocious soloists. BUY IT and hear a jazz album like youve never heard and that will stay in your cd player for many weeks."
Return of a master
Andreas C G | Huntington Beach, CA United States | 02/03/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I think this is a very enjoyable CD. The songwriting, arrangements, and everybody's playing are great. Even if some of his technical chops from earlier days are missing. I would recommend it."
Nice to hear Freddie back playing. Worth buying!!!
Isaiah Stewart | Salt Lake City, UT United States | 07/22/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Maybe I was expecting Freddie's playing to be completely shot due to the recent buzz about his lip being gone, so I was in fact surpirsed at how good Freddie sounds on the disc. His tone sounds just fine.One thing remains a fact of life: this guy is one of the best composers in jazz and this CD proves he can still compose as good (or better) than he used to. He composes all songs but one.As far as his solos being "too short." I clocked many of them at over 80 measures (!!!) This is no shorter than past solos he has taken. (How long do people expect him to solo?)Is Freddie's playing on the level it once was? No. But his past level was beyond compare, so he could deliver 30% of his previous chops and still be kicking it just fine.Finally, the MUSIC as a whole on this disc is what you should focus on and makes it great. I always listen to music as a whole and this entire disc is excellent.So, in short, Freddie's chops arent' what they once were, but I still enjoy the playing. His note selection is actually more seasoned and artistic as now he is forced to chooses his notes more carefully. (But, make no mistake, he's also capable of playing fast.)(This is what I love about comparisons. There's all this talk about Freddie's chops, but a lot of his runs on this CD, with his lip shot, are a whole lot faster and cleaner than Miles Davis was sounding throughout the '80s, and nobody said anything about Miles' chops. Go figure.)I would DEFINITELY recommend New Colors. Welcome back, Freddie! It's great to be hearing that beautiful sound again!"
Go with it
jim hughes | minneapolis | 10/08/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Hey, this is a terrific jazz album. Freddie Hubbard is who he is - and what he is - today, he's taken a few lumps since 1975 and so have I, and I just really enjoy what he's doing here.
This guy has nothing to prove to anyone, his recorded work speaks for itself, and all I hope is that he continues to write and play his own stuff as opportunities present themselves. Oh by the way, this is quite a good band, too."
Freddie's back...
jim hughes | 08/12/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"...in this great album. I love the songs, the arrangements are awesome. Of his solos, the only one I think is a little short is the Red Clay solo, but it doesn't take away much from the great arrangement of his old classic. Although he isnt as good as he was, hes still quite a player. I definately recommend this CD for any jazz lover."
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1