A great Blue Note 2-fer from the 70s – one that features the first issue of the album Here To Stay, plus the classic Hub Cap! On the first session on the set, the sound is sharp-edged and soulful – a reflection of the groove that Fr
eddie was hitting in the Jazz Messengers of the early 60s, played by a group that features three members of that ensemble – Wayne Shorter, Cedar Walton, and Reggie Workman – along with Philly
Joe Jones on drums! Tracks are hard, straight, and soulful – not bogged down in some of Hubbard's misdirected modernism – and titles include "Philly Mignon", "Father & Son", "Nostrand & Fulton", and "Assunta". Hub Cap is one of Fr
eddie Hubbard's all-time best from the early days – and features a very hard wailing lineup that mixes tight hardbop rhythms with some more adventurous soloing that almost has a modern jazz kind of tinge. Cedar Walton's on piano, Julian Preister's on trombone, and Jimmy Heath is on tenor – working with Fr
eddie to craft some mindblowing work on titles that include the amazing "Plexus", plus "Hub Cap", "Cry Me Not", and "Earmon JR."
(Original 70s pressing – a nice copy! Cover has a cut corner.)