dreadpirateroberts On ‘Hub Tones’ we’re treated to one of Hubbard’s best hard bop records.

Having said that, only two of the numbers are as ‘hard’ as one might expect from Hubbard. One is the excellent title track, with great solos all around, and the other ‘For Spee’s Sake’ which is a little more conventional (especially by having Jarvis’ solo moments thrown in toward the end of the song as many drum features are.)

Both Herbie Hancock’s piano, and, on the first of many collaborations with Hubbard, James Spaulding’s flute and alto, help bring a new dimension to the music. Of course Hancock is his usual wonderful self – one of my favourite solos from him appearing toward the end of the excellent ‘Prophet Jennings’ – and Spaulding sounds great too. His flute is a welcome addition and appears in a dialogue Hubbard’s trumpet on ‘Lament for Booker’ and in more supporting or soloist roles elsewhere.

While Hubbard’s phrasing is more distinctive and varied than it has been on previous records, in fact, significantly so, part of what makes ‘Hub Tones’ shine is the arrangements, especially with the terrific version of ‘You’re My Everything,’ or the manner in which the rest of the group rise and support him with their own performances.

Hard to choose a favourite moment from this one, and so I won’t even try, but instead leave it with a recommendation, this is easily one of the best records from the early stages of his career and well worth picking up.