Freddie Hubbard – is On Fire, RSD 3 LP set, a true understatement…
Freddie Hubbard – On Fire: Live From The Blue Morocco – Resonance Records # HLP-9073 – 180 gm 3 LP – 04/10/67 – Record Store Day Release, April 12, 2025 – Limited numbered 2500 pressings
(Freddie Hubbard – trumpet; Bennie Maupin – tenor saxophone; Kenny Barron – piano; Herbie Lewis – bass; Freddie Waits – drums)
Fans of the late trumpet icon, Freddie Hubbard, should have cause for celebration. Resonance Records, thru their co-owner, “jazz detective,” Zev Feldman, is releasing a live 1967 recording of Freddie, with an “A” list quartet, blowing off the roof of the Bronx intimate jazz club, The Blue Morocco.
Through the assistance of Bernard Drayton, the engineer for the live Monday night recording made for WLIB, a local 24 hour jazz station, the master tapes have been under wraps for nearly 60 years, until they have been cleared for issuance for the upcoming Record Store Day on April 12.
For their first time release, Resonance has gone top shelf, using the original master tapes, remastered by Bernie Grundman, and pressed at LaVinylist. Don’t procrastinate, as there will only be 2500 hand numbered sets released in a triple gate fold package. In addition, the accompanying 16 page insert booklet has rare photos with liner notes from John Koenig as well as interview essays from contemporary trumpeters (and Hubbard fans), Eddie Henderson, Charles Tolliver, Steven Bernstein, and Jeremy Pelt.
Near the end of his career, Hubbard had health issues that prevented him from finishing his career on a high note, as expressed by Jeremy Pelt in the liner notes. However, in the 1960s and 70s, Freddie was arguably the “top dog” of trumpeters, because of his powerful delivery, “spitting fire,” like no one else during that period. The trumpeters, named above, give testimony to this opinion.
Backing Hubbard on this date was his first regular touring band, now known themselves as veteran jazz stars. Bennie Maupin is on tenor sax, living legend , Kenny Barron on piano, Herbie Lewis on bass, and Freddie Waits, on drums. Maupin and Waits were roommates at that time, and Bennie states that they both had to practice daily to keep up with Hubbard’s “fire and energy,” as they had to be able to play “fast and long,” to keep up with their leader, as his compositions were challenging and harmonically dense.
Freddie’s trumpet tone has been described as “saxophone-like.” He had a friendly “rivalry” with Booker Little, who unfortunately passed away in his early 20s. Recording well over 50 albums as a leader, for numerous labels, Hubbard covered just about every jazz genre, ranging from be-bop thru fusion, and beyond.
For the seven tracks on this set, nearly all extended compositions, Freddie is upfront, like a burly rugby player, pushing his mates past the finishing line. Maupin, along with the rhythm section, keep pace. Kenny Barron provides some needed respite on his piano solos, adding some “sweetness.”
On “Up Jumped Spring,” Hubbard shows his lyrical side, with muted trumpet. Almost all of the other tracks are “burners,” or lean that way. Even on the normally milder standard, “Bye Bye Blackbird,” there is a fiery interplay with bass and drums on overdrive, to keep up with Mr. Hubbard.
“True Colors” enters avant territory, while “Echoes of Blue,” written by bassist, Bob Cunningham, provides a five minute bass solo for Herbie Lewis, before Hubbard takes over, and we’re “off to the races,” again.
Throughout this set, there is an escalation of full power energy, with tension release provided by Barron. However, Kenny shows he can dig in with the best of them on “Summertime,” where he is “locked and loaded” on his extended solo.
For fans of prime Freddie Hubbard, this is a “must-have” purchase. Put April 12th on your calendar. Don’t pass up this opportunity to experience Hubbard in a nicely remastered quartet live setting…
—Jeff Krow
Freddie Hubbard – On Fire: Live From The Blue Morocco
Tracklist:
Side A:
Crisis (18:40)
Side B:
Up Jumped Spring (17:23)
Side C:
Echoes of Blue (15:42)
Side D:
True Colors/Breaking Point (13:32)
Side E:
Bye Bye Blackbird (23:24)
Side F:
Summertime (16:54), Breaking Point (7:01)
