Hubbard, Freddie: Hub-Tones (Blue Note 80) LP

In honor of Blue Note Records' 80th Anniversary, the legendary jazz label is launching the Blue Note 80 Vinyl Reissue Series. Distinct from the Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series, this second series curated by Don Was and Cem Kurosman features 180g vinyl LP releases in standard packaging with albums spanning the many eras of the label's history presented by themes: Blue Note Debuts, Blue Grooves, Great Reid Miles Covers, Blue Note Live, and Blue Note Drummer Leaders. The series resumes in September 2019 with Part 1 of the Great Reid Miles Covers theme - Freddie Hubbard Hub-Tones (1962), Kenny Dorham Una Mas (1963) and Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers Indestructible (1966) - and will continue with three albums released each month for the coming year.

At the time that Freddie Hubbard recorded Hub-Tones in 1962, he had recently become a member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. He teams up with altoist-flutist James Spaulding for the first time on this album (they would have a group together a few years later) in a quintet also featuring Herbie Hancock. In addition to reinventing "You're My Everything," they perform four of the trumpeter's originals. The music looks ahead to the future while always swinging hard. Whether caressing the melody of his heart-felt tribute to the recently deceased Booker Little "Lament For Booker" or sounding explosive on "Hub-Tones," Hubbard is dazzling throughout, causing many sparks to fly and creating superb music. Hub-Tones also features one of Reid Miles' most iconic album cover designs!

This Blue Note 80 Vinyl Edition is all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.