Freddie Hubbard - Backlash – Pure Pleasure Records 180g Vinyl LP
Three numbers by Freddie Hubbard, one by Bob Cunningham, and two by friends, provide the basis for a successful transition between hard bop and soul beat. Hubbard made high demands on his fellow musicians James Spaulding, Albert Dailey and especially the bass player Bob Cunningham and the drummer Ray Appleton because they had to cope with the ever-changing beat. Right from the very first note, it is obvious that Freddie Hubbard had Fats Navarro and Clifford Brown in his heart and fingers. All the titles are excellent.
Of special note, however, is “Little Sunflower”. The sound colouring of the flute harmonizes particularly well with Hubbard’s brass, and Ray Barretto’s contribution is more than mere decoration. You’re certainly on the right track with this LP, no matter whether it’s the beginning of a Freddie Hubbard collection or a further contribution to a large jazz collection.
This Speakers Corner LP was remastered using pure analogue components only, from the master tapes through to the cutting head.
Recording: 1967 by Tom Dowd, Phil Jehle and Adrian Barber
Production: Arif Mardin
Track Listing
Side A
Backlash
The Return Of The Prodigal Son
Little Sunflower
Side B
On The Que-Tee
Up Jumped Spring
Echoes Of Blue