This collection on the U.K.'s Soul Brother imprint is a very compelling look at a big slice of Freddie Hubbard's long career as a leader, and one that gets ignored for the most part. Hubbard recorded over 20 records between Backlash, his Atlantic debut in 1966, and Ride Like the Wind for Elektra in 1982, with lengthy stops at Columbia and CTI (as well some straight hard bop and post-bop outings for labels Fantasy and Pablo). In many cases, some of these original recordings were not only disregarded by more traditional jazzheads, they were regarded with outright hostility. It didn't matter to Hubbard, however, because at the time, these were among his best-selling albums and connected with the public deeply.
On this CD reissue, Bob Wilber (who triples on clarinet, soprano and alto) meets up quite successfully with the relatively young swing stylist Scott Hamilton (heard near the beginning of his career) and the tenor's rhythm section of the period (guitarist Chris Flory, bassist Phil Flanagan and drummer Chuck Riggs). Together they perform melodic and swinging renditions of six of Wilber's originals along with six veteran standards; the logical arrangements help to set up the solos. Also included on the reissue is a seven-minute "Jazzspeak" in which Wilber remembers how the date came about. Easily recommended to mainstream and small-group swing fans.
On February 7, 2003, renowned artists across music genres and generations commandeered the stage atNew York City's Radio City Music Hall to pay tribute to their common heritage and passion: the blues. Shared with thousands of fans in attendance, legendary performers from the roots of rock, jazz,and rap joined forces for a once-in-a-lifetime salute to the blues benefit concert whose proceeds went to musical education. Executive produced by Martin Scorcese, produced by Alex Gibney and directed by Antoine Fuqua, LIGHTNING IN A BOTTLE captures the night's magic and weaves a history of blues through the juxtaposition of performers, backstage interviews, rehearsals, and archival clips of some of the greatest names in American music, from blues royalty like Buddy Guy and B. B. King to theirmusical heirs ranging from John Fogerty and Bonnie Raitt to Mos Def and Indie.