Search - Freddie Hubbard :: Straight Life

Straight Up Great

Thomas Magnum | NJ, USA | 08/17/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Straight Life may well be Freddie Hubbard's best album. Though only containing three tracks, the album packs a powerful punch. It is jazz-rock fusion at its best. Mr. Hubbard assembled a who's who of jazz musicians from this time period including Joe Henderson on saxophone, George Benson on guitar, Herbie Hancock on electric piano, Ron Carter on bass and Jack DeJohnette on drums. The title track is built on a Latin beat and features an insane intro by Mr. Hubbard. Mr. DeJohnette provides a fierce foundation that the other musicians climb on top of and fire off. "Mr. Clean" shifts into funk with some fat and chunky riffing. Mr. Henderson throws off some hefty passages and Mr. Hancock shines on a great solo. The final track "Here's That Rainy Day" brings the album into ballad territory, but it is saved by some impressive guitar and bass work by Mr. Benson and Mr. Carter respectively."

Genuine Jazz for Everybody

Richard B. Luhrs | Jackson Heights, NY United States | 09/15/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"CTI Records' early 1970s catalogue is an embarrassment of riches, with nearly all the brightest lights of the preceding decade appearing repeatedly as leaders and/or sidemen on well-balanced albums which for the most part manage to be both artistic and accessible. Trumpeter Freddie Hubbard was one of the label's biggest stars, and this 1970 blowing session (his second CTI LP) serves as a fine case in point. Surrounded by fellow ex-Blue Note Wunderkinder (Herbie Hancock and Joe Henderson), Miles Davis rhythm section alumni (Ron Carter and Jack DeJohnette) and the tasty picking of a young George Benson, Hubbard riffs through two extended original jams in characteristically titanic fashion, slowing down to display his matchless sensitivity on a light, lovely cover of "Here's That Rainy Day." All hands deliver a fine, funky performance, which is happily free of the hit-or-miss orchestrations which CTI employed on most of its releases at the time, including many of Hubbard's. Classic early fusion of a decidedly listenable variety, STRAIGHT LIFE is a great way for pop and rock fans to get themselves into jazz, and for jazz fans to remind themselves what it was that made them fall in love with the genre in the first place. Hot!"