Track Listing

1. Backlash
2. Return of the Prodigal Son
3. Little Sunflower
4. On the Que-Tee
5. Up Jumped Spring
6. Echoes of Blue

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #68170 in Music
• Brand: HUBBARD,FREDDIE
• Released on: 2000-03-28
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Album Description
2002 remastered reissue of 1967 album. Digipak.

Amazon.com
To jazz fans under the age of 30, the name Freddie Hubbard probably won't signify a superstar. From the 1960s to the late 1980s, however, he was the third-best trumpeter in the music (behind Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis). Illness triggered a decline in the 1990s, but, thankfully, there are still numerous reissues that recall his greatness. Backlash, from 1966, finds the former member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers in a jazz-R&B hybrid mood with pianist Albert Dailey, drummer Otis Ray Appleton, saxophonist/flutist James Spaulding, and percussionist Ray Barretto. Technically, Hubbard's robust Clifford Brown-influenced chops are in full effect. "On the Que Tee," "Up Jumped Spring," and the title track all reflect the soulful spell of Lee Morgan's hit "Sidewinder." But this date is best remembered for giving the world the first version of Hubbard's lovely jazz standard "Little Sunflower." With the lilting Latin tinges provided by Barretto, Hubbard floats above those rhythms with lyrical ease, reminding us of the majesty of his music. --Eugene Holley Jr.

Customer Reviews

A good album from the excellent trumpet player.
Freddie Hubbard is a legendary player and this is a nice effort. Songs like "Backlash" have a funky, laid-back feel to them, laced by nice piano and of course Freddie's amazing trumpet playing. My favorite track on here is definitely "On The Que-Tee", which is a classic uptempo track with a great theme. Also, "Little Sunflower" has a nice, laid-back feel to it, but as the other reviewer mentioned it won't bore you. A great album for a laid-back listener. "Echoes Of Blue" is also a great way to end the album, it's a slower song as well, and has more of a funky feel to it than the rest of the songs. There are also some flutes in this song. It's really a shame that Freddie Hubbard is no longer able to play (he blew out his upper lip from playing too much in 1992) because he was definitely one of the most talented jazz trumpet players. His range is outstanding. This record is worth buying for sure, there are not many trumpet players in jazz with Freddie's technical ability.

Absolutely Awesome
Let's put it this way: I didn't listen to jazz until I heard this album. All of the songs are awesome, but the first 3 especially stand out. "Backlash" and "Return of the Prodigal Son" are more akin to rock songs played with jazz insturments; both are uptempo and funky, with catchy melodies that I can't get out of my head. "Little Sunflower" just unreal, it puts you in a mellow vibe without being boring in the slightest. The other 3 songs are great, too. Musically, "Up on Que-Tee" is absolutely insane, and really proves that the band members are world-class musicians, but without a lot of gratuitous showing-off. Definately check this album out!

Conservative "Backlash"
Freddie Hubbard's "Backlash" was originally recorded for Atlantic Records, but has been licensed to and reissued by the Koch label. Koch seems to specialize in putting out major label jazz on CD that the big boys don't want to touch because it won't sell well. (For another great Koch release, see my review of Johnny Coles' "The Warm Sound.") Hubbard left Blue Note in 1966 for a stint at Atlantic, before his successful run at CTI in the 70s. "Backlash" gives us a glimpse at the future lighter-side of Hubbard, with its calculated solos, and funky predictable riffs. It's almost as if this session is a conservative "Backlash" after the increasingly liberal, free-form experiments he made at Blue Note. (His last Blue Note album, "Blue Spirits" was a delightful combination of funky Sidewinder-like grooves, cranking Coltrane-esque post bop, and wild experimental avant-garde jazz, but sadly it is now out of print on CD.) Those who like Hubbard's CTI recordings will enjoy this effort, but those who adore his Blue Notes will be disappointed.