FREDDIE HUBBARD'S BACK TO BIRDLAND, SONNY CLARK'S COOL STRUTTIN', BOBBY HUTCHERSON'S HAPPENINGS REISSUED

FREDDIE HUBBARD - BACK TO BIRDLAND

Freddie Hubbard comes storming home to his bebop roots on this 1981, West Wind release. When Hubbard, Richie Cole on alto saxophone, Ashley Alexander on double trombone, George Cables on piano, Andy Simpkins on bass, and John Dentz on bass dive head first into the seminal Gillespie/Parker tune "Shaw Nuff," it's almost as though the '60s and '70s never happened. They swim straight back to the source-lightning fast and with unbridled energy. On "Lover Man" (Ramirez/Davis/Sherman), Cole's subtle, heartfelt soloing meshes seamlessly with Hubbard's velvet flugelhorn. It is great to hear these tunes and this kind of playing updated in an era of such superior recording techniques. On the final track, Hubbard's own "Byrdlike," the sparks fly off trombone, sax, and trumpet in ever growing spirals. This is real; blistering be-bop for those of us that can't get enough. Recorded in 1981. Personnel: Freddie Hubbard (trumpet). Recording information: 08/1982. Personnel includes: Freddie Hubbard (trumpet); Richie Cole (alto saxophone); George Cables (piano); Ashley Alexander, Andy Simpkins, John Dentz, Med Flory. Personnel includes: Freddie Hubbard (trumpet); Richie Cole (alto saxophone); Ashley Alexander (trombone); George Cables (piano); Andy Simkins (bass); John Dentz (drums). ~ cduniverse

SONNY CLARK - COOL STUTTIN' 

The Rudy Van Gelder Edition of Cool Struttin' includes an essay by Bob Blumenthal. Digitally remastered using 24-bit technology by Rudy Van Gelder (1998, Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey). This is part of the Blue Note Rudy Van Gelder Editions series. 2013 Japanese pressing 24 bit remaster SHM-CD scheduled to include bonus material. Blue Note Recorded at the Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack, New Jerey on January 5, 1958. Originally released on Blue Note (81588). Includes liner notes by Nat Hentoff and Bob Blumenthal. Personnel: Sonny Clark (piano); Jackie McLean (alto saxophone); Art Farmer (trumpet); Paul Chambers (acoustic bass); Philly Joe Jones (drums). Producer: Alfred Lion. Reissue producer: Michael Cuscuna.

BOBBY HUTCHERSON -HAPPENINGS 

Happenings was vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson's fourth Blue Note release as a leader. Where its predecessors Diaolgue and Components were packed with challenging avant-bop, Happenings instead brings things down a notch. With pianist Herbie Hancock, drummer Joe Chambers, and bassist Bob Cranshaw on board, Hutcherson keeps the tone fairly light, performing his original compositions (the exception is Hancock's "Maiden Voyage") with a mellow, swinging style that emphasizes modal exploration. The performances are all top-notch, and the album still weighs in as one of the best in Hutcherson's fine catalogue. 2013 Japanese pressing SHM-CD scheduled to include bonus material. 24 bit remaster. Universal Recorded at the Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey on February 8, 1966. Personnel: Bobby Hutcherson (vibraphone, marimba); Herbie Hancock (piano); Bob Cranshaw (bass); Joe Chambers (drums). ~ cduniverse