dreadpirateroberts At this point in Hubbard's career (his fourth release as leader) the larger focus on the head section of a song that can be heard on his debut for instance, had taken a back seat to more confident and extended soloing and improvisational passages.

It's still a driving Hard Bop release with distinctive passages book-ending longer solos, but retains a slight swing feel to much of the material. It features a pre-'Speak No Evil' Shorter on tenor and half of John Coltrane's classic quartet in Tyner and Jones. The addition of Bernard McKinney on euphonium adds another lead voice, and stretches the songs to incorporate the extra soloist.

"Ready for Freddie" follows a similar formula to that of his early releases, and much Jazz, really, including a cover, a ballad and some harder, faster moments - one of which being the near-frantic 'Birdlike' where both Hubbard and especially Shorter unleash. The album opens in great form with 'Arietis' and immediately shifts gears for the gentle 'Weaver of Dreams' - a very satisfying ballad indeed.

The balance of the release is taken up by harder material, 'Marie Antoinette' and 'Birdlike' and closes with Bob Marley cover 'Crisis' which is more exploratory than the rest of the material. It's another great Freddie Hubbard record and among his best from any of the genres he worked within. Another four stars.