Five Stars, MAXED OUT!!! This fiery set could be the best in Freddie's fabulous, fabled, award-winning career. The DownBeat Readers Poll had just voted him the #1 Trumpet in the world (circa 1990) and he shows why, brilliant solo after solo. From beginning to end, it's all about sizzle and swinging beauty. Freddie enlisted one of the finest working rhythm sections of the time: ex-Jazz Messenger-stablemate Cedar Walton on Piano, David Williams on bass, and the redoubtable Billy Higgins on Drums. Add Ralph Moore on Tenor/Soprano and Giovanni Hidalgo on congas and you have the ingredients for a tremendous heat-laden jazz set. It's very reminiscent of the best session LPs from Blue Note in the 1960's, but with more developed 'heads', background motifs, and updated solos. And it kicks (...)from beginning to end.
The 'Pieces D'Resistance' are everywhere. Start with the latin groove on "HomeGrown" and a truly breathtaking solo from Hubbard, followed by one of Walton's finest two-fisted solos, with Higgins and Hidalgo bringing the heat on their respective drum and conga solo. New life is breathed into a spectacular "God Bless The Child" by "Mr H" and Walton's support is positively heroic throughout. "Bolivia" is flat out full of wonderful jazz solos and section work, with Vince Herring evoking Cannonball in a truly wild alto solo.
Of special mention are Hubbard's two memorable solos on "Dear John {Coltrane}" sandwiched around Walton's brilliant solo, the penultimate performance on the CD. The head is one beautiful theme. No one ever played a flugelhorn better and he swings and sizzles madly amid a blizzard of notes. Walton is 'too much' and Moore, in a deep 'Trane' mode, gets off an inspired solo evoking John's memory.
Billy Higgins deserves special mention, he's just incredible throughout the recording, adding so much to each song. You'll play this CD over and over for years, like me. And it's beautifully recorded. Heck, Freddie Hubbard deserved that DownBeat award!!! Five Big Stars.
The 'Pieces D'Resistance' are everywhere. Start with the latin groove on "HomeGrown" and a truly breathtaking solo from Hubbard, followed by one of Walton's finest two-fisted solos, with Higgins and Hidalgo bringing the heat on their respective drum and conga solo. New life is breathed into a spectacular "God Bless The Child" by "Mr H" and Walton's support is positively heroic throughout. "Bolivia" is flat out full of wonderful jazz solos and section work, with Vince Herring evoking Cannonball in a truly wild alto solo.
Of special mention are Hubbard's two memorable solos on "Dear John {Coltrane}" sandwiched around Walton's brilliant solo, the penultimate performance on the CD. The head is one beautiful theme. No one ever played a flugelhorn better and he swings and sizzles madly amid a blizzard of notes. Walton is 'too much' and Moore, in a deep 'Trane' mode, gets off an inspired solo evoking John's memory.
Billy Higgins deserves special mention, he's just incredible throughout the recording, adding so much to each song. You'll play this CD over and over for years, like me. And it's beautifully recorded. Heck, Freddie Hubbard deserved that DownBeat award!!! Five Big Stars.