FREDDIE HUBBARD — Hub Cap (1961) RM | Three Version | SACD, Hybrid | RVG Edition | The Blue Note Reissues Series | APE + FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

On Hub Cap, his third effort as a leader, Freddie Hubbard sticks to the tried-and-true hard bop formula, which is something of a mixed blessing. There's no question that much of this music is enjoyable, but it's not quite up to the standards of its two predecessors. Part of the problem is Hubbard's sextet, which features tenor saxophonist Jimmy Heath, trombonist Julian Priester, pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Larry Ridley, and drummer "Philly" Joe Jones. All of the musicians are talented, but only a few are inventive, and that becomes a problem, since it becomes clear that Hubbard is beginning to break free from his influences and develop his own style. In other words, he's capable of more adventurous music than this straight-ahead hard bop. That said, Hub Cap is a very good hard bop date. There is energy to the performances, and the artist's vigorous, inspired playing continues to impress, as do some of his original compositions. Only when compared to Hubbard's first two records, or what would come later, does Hub Cap seem like a lesser effort. Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Tracklist :
1 Hub Cap 5:17
Written-By – Freddie Hubbard
2 Cry Me Not4:48
Written-By – Randy Weston
3 Luana 10:06
Written-By – Freddie Hubbard
4 Osie Mae 6:53
Written-By – Freddie Hubbard
5 Plexus 9:03
Written-By – Cedar Walton
6 Earmon Jr. 6:18
Written-By – Freddie Hubbard
Credits :
Bass – Larry Ridley
Drums – Philly Joe Jones
Piano – Cedar Walton
Tenor Saxophone – Jimmy Heath
Trombone – Julian Priester

BUNKY GREEN — Playin' For Keeps (2007) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Playin' for Keeps draws on inspirations spanning from Tin Pan Alley to bossa nova to the British Invasion to forge a soul-jazz groove with its own distinct sensibility. Though rooted in bop, Bunky Green embraces both pop and avant-garde idioms as well, channeling his myriad influences to create a soulful and lithe sound with an impressive command of space and time. Bassist Cleveland Eaton, pianist Willie Pickens, and drummer Harold Jones are all in fine form throughout, clearly relishing the indelible melodies of selections like "The Shadow of Your Smile" and "Yesterday." Green's edgy, forceful alto is nevertheless the focal point, navigating the material with skill and finesse. Jason Ankeny
Tracklist :
1    On Green Dolphin Street    5:21
2    My Ship    4:03
3    Yesterday    3:39
4    Playin' For Keeps    4:17
5    What I Can Do    5:43
6    Mi Compasion    4:09
7    My Man's Gone Now    3:51
8    Brazilano    5:29
9    Step High    5:31
10    Tamra    4:17
11    Silver Dollar    3:39
12    When The Sun Comes Out    4:31
13    Testifyin' Time    3:37
14    Tweedlee Dee    4:21
15    Orbit Six    3:27
16    The Shadow Of Your Smile (Love Theme From "The Sandpiper")    3:25
17    Mama Looka Boo Boo    4:32
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Bunky Green
Bass – Cleveland Eaton (tracks: 1-8, 10-17), Larry Ridley (tracks: 9)
Congas – Eli Gutierrez (tracks: 16-17)
Drums – Harold Jones (tracks: 3-8), Jimmy Cobb (tracks: 9), Marshall Thompson (tracks: 1-2, 10-17)
Piano – Billy Wallace (tracks: 1-2, 10-15), Charles Stepney (tracks: 16-17), Willie Pickens (tracks: 3-8), Wynton Kelly (tracks: 9)
Saxophone – Kenny Soderblom (tracks: 16-17)
Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – James Meyer (tracks: 10-15)
Trombone – John Avant (tracks: 16-17)
Trumpet – Paul Serrano (tracks: 16-17), Walter Strickland (tracks: 10-15), Warren Kime (tracks: 16-17)

HANK MOBLEY - Dippin' (1965-1987) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Dippin' is one of Hank Mobley's finer moments, even considering that his entire Blue Note catalog is masterful, particularly his 1960s dates that reveal the depth and dimension of his understanding of harmonic invention -- all in the name of groove and swing, of course. This date, recorded on a single day in June of 1965, netted four Mobley originals as well as two covers. The band included trumpeter Lee Morgan, pianist Harold Mabern, bassist Larry Ridley, and drummer Billy Higgins. The two-horn front line always served Mobley well. Here, with Morgan, the groove commences from the first notes of the title cut that opens the set. The short bluesy lines burst from the horns, and are turned inside out with elegant yet knotty lines that move the tune almost into pop territory but never venture far from the blues. The sprightly "Recado Bossa Nova," written by Djalma Ferreira, moves the band outside its comfort zone rhythmically, but Mobley's horn chart is brilliant. Higgins and Ridley keep the bossa groove natural and steaming as the soloists begin taking the tune apart and putting it back together. There is one ballad on the set, "I See Your Face Before Me" composed by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz. On it, Mobley does his best Ben Webster, blowing low and smoky and sweet, but the truth is that it doesn't belong on a program with so many hard bop swingers. The rest of the session is a pure joy and a fine document of Mobley's abilities as a bandleader and composer.
|This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa'|
Tracklist :
1     The Dip 7'57
Lee Hazlewood / Hank Mobley    
2     Recado Bossa Nova 8'11
Luiz Antonio / Djalma Ferreira    
3     The Break Through 5'52
Hank Mobley    
4     The Vamp 8'21
Hank Mobley    
5     I See Your Face Before Me 5'29
Howard Dietz / Arthur Schwartz    
6     Ballin' 6:51
Hank Mobley    
Credits :
Bass – Larry Ridley
Drums – Billy Higgins
Piano – Harold Mabern Jr.
Recorded By – Rudy Van Gelder
Tenor Saxophone – Hank Mobley
Trumpet – Lee Morgan