Although starting the new year with a group name, Blue Moods, may not seem upbeat, this is straight ahead jazz of the first order that is uplifting on almost every track. Force & Grace is the Posi-Tone’s label third installment focusing on the songwriting contributions of celebrated musicians, well known for their chops but not necessarily for their composing, which in too many cases is overlooked. This chapter features the fiery trumpeter Freddie Hubbard as a group of the label’s mainstays perform twelve of Hubbard’s compositions, mostly from his early ‘60s Blue Note, mid-’60s ATlantic, and early ‘70s CTI discography. See discography chart below. Interestingly enough, there is no trumpeter present as saxophonist Diego Rivera, on tenor and soprano, delivers Hubbard’s melodies. He is supported by bassist Boris Kozlov, drummer Vinnie Sperrazza, and the two pianists – Art Hirahara and Jon Davis, each appearing on six tracks. In essence, we have a quartet throughout.
We’ve covered Rivera multiple times as both a leader and a sideman but this date represents some of his strongest playing. On some tracks he just blows the roof off while on others, typically when on soprano, he presents the tender side of his playing as well. Also, beginning with track three, the pianists alternate with Hirahara on the odd numbered and Davis on the even numbered tracks, so you can distinctly hear the differences in their approach. While each display mastery of hard bop swingers and ballads, HIrahara’s nimble touch, natural swing, and penchant for improvisational solos contrast with Davis’ heavier touch, and propensity to accent single notes in a bluesy way.
The first three tracks feature Hirahara on piano. “Crisis” motors along at a mid tempo with Rivera blowing fluid clusters on tenor and the typically bright solo turn from the pianist. Some of Rivera’s high register notes simulate the sound of a trumpet too. The saxophonist switches to soprano on one of Hubbard’s most well known pieces, “First LIght,” rendered sweetly by all. Drummer Sperrazza creates an infectious Afro-Cuban groove on “Latina” and carries this through several other tracks as well. Hubbard wasn’t associated with Latin fare per se, but these musicians seem to find those grooves in his music, not just here on the obviously titled track.
The ballad “Brigitte” marks Davis’s first appearance with Rivera taking a low register, enticingly romantic Ben Webster-like turn on tenor while he turns beast mode, blowing as if his life depended on it in “On the Que Tee” with a locked in rhythm section and an effervescent Hirahara. As is typical in this sequencing a ballad follows with Rivera’s pure, charming soprano carrying the melody in one of Hubbard’s oft covered tunes, “Little Sunflower,” featuring a robust turn from bassist Kozlov and Davis’s rather minimalist pianism. The quartet then brings the energy for the easy flowing “Gibraltar” while “D Minor Mint” is a kind of soul jazz from the early ‘60s Blue Note period.
It’s refreshing to hear the melodic “Skydive” with Rivera on soprano, in this relatively stripped down setting but the original is also a must hear with this cast: Keith Jarrett, George Benson, Ron Carter, Billy Cobham, Airto Moreira and Ray Barretto. Oh, that Afro-Cuban rhythm undercurrent was there then too. The quartet cooks on “Happy Times,” plays tenderly on “Lament for Booker,” written for the passed way too young trumpeter Booker Little. Closer “Soul Surge” returns to that engaging classic Blue Noe sound, right in the pocket for pianist Davis who turns in his most impressive performance in this session.
Enjoy this on its own merits and if it encourages you to seek out Hubbard’s originals, here’s your guide.
Originals from Freddie Hubbard
“Crisis” – Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers – Blue Note – 1961
“First Light” – First LIght – CTI – 1973
“Latina” – HIgh Blues Pressure – Atlantic – 1967
“Brigitte” – Keep Your Soul Together – CTI – 1973
“On the Que Tee” – Backlash – Atlantic – 1967
“Little Sunflower – Backlash – Atlantic – 1967
“Gibraltar” – Born to Be Blue – Pablo Today – 1982
“D Minor Mint” – Breaking Point – Blue Note – 1964
“Sky Dive “ – Sky Dive – CTI – 1973
“Happy Times” – The Artistry of Freddie Hubbard – Impulse! – 1963
“Lament for Booker” – Hub Tones – Blue Note – 1962
Jim Hynes is a respected music reviewer and journalist celebrated for his thoughtful analysis and unwavering passion for a broad spectrum of music genres, particularly jazz, blues, and Americana. With a career spanning decades, Hynes has built a reputation for his articulate and insightful reviews that delve deep into the artistry, emotion, and cultural impact of the music he covers.
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Blue Moods
