Trumpeter Freddie Hubbard’s album Hub Cap is getting a vinyl reissue as part of the Blue Note Tone Poet Series.
The Indianapolis-born player introduced himself to the jazz world with his 1960 Blue Note debut, Open Sesame. Within the next 14 months he had recorded three more classic hard bop records—Goin’ Up, Hub Cap, and Ready For Freddie—each of which showcased his dynamic playing.
Recorded at Rudy Van Gelder’s studio in Englewood, New Jersey in April 1961, Hub Cap was the first of Hubbard’s Blue Note releases to highlight his growing skill as a composer. Four of the album’s six tracks come from his own pen including the title track, the alluring “Luana,” and the swinging “Osie Mae.”
Hub Cap is brought to life with a sextet featuring Hubbard, trombonist Julian Priester, and tenor saxophonist Jimmy Heath on the front line, and a rhythm section of pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Larry Ridley, and drummer Philly Joe Jones.
Hubbard arrived in New York City at the age of 20 in 1958 and quickly established himself in a vibrant scene. By 1964—widely considered an early high point in his career with the release of his epic album Breaking Point—he had eight solo albums under his belt. In the early 1960s, Hubbard served as the replacement in drummer Art Blakey’s celebrated “Hard Bop Academy,” The Jazz Messengers.
Hubbard’s second Blue Note album Goin’ Up was recently reissued via the label’s Classic Vinyl Series. The 1960 session featured Hank Mobley on tenor saxophone, McCoy Tyner on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Philly Joe Jones on drums for a collection of hard-charging hard bop.
This stereo Tone Poet Vinyl Edition was produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray (Cohearent Audio) from the original analog master tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl at Record Technology Inc. (RTI), and packaged in a deluxe tip-on gatefold jacket.
