Blue Spirits (LP)

The prodigious trumpeter Freddie Hubbard debuted on Blue Note in 1960 and produced an astonishing series of recordings. This bluesy and spirited album presented five evocative Hubbard originals, each featuring a dynamic four-horn ensemble. The first, taken from two separate sessions, produced the opening track, "Soul Surge," and the piercing "Cunga Black," with Hubbard accompanied by James Spaulding on alto saxophone and flute, Joe Henderson on tenor saxophone, Kiane Zawadi on euphonium, Harold Mabern on piano, Larry Ridley on bass, Clifford Jarvis on drums, and Big Black on congas. A week later, Hubbard returned to Van Gelder Studio with Spaulding, Zawadi, and a slightly different lineup, including Hank Mobley on tenor saxophone, McCoy Tyner on piano, Bob Cranshaw on bass, and Pete LaRoca on drums. This second session rounded out the album with powerful performances of 'Outer Forces' and 'Jodo', as well as the mesmerizing title track.