New Colors

by Ken DrydenFreddie Hubbard is heard exclusively on flügelhorn on this impressive release, accompanied by the New Jazz Composers Octet; although none of the octet members contributed any compositions to the session, trumpeter David Weiss did most of the arrangements, sometimes collaborating with Hubbard. Gone are the lip problems that plagued Hubbard somewhat during the 1990s, as he launches into his richly textured post-bop "One of Another Kind," which also has strong solos by tenor saxophonist Craig Handy and alto saxophonist Myron Walden. The leader's funky "Blues for Miles" is reminiscent of a street parade, while the Latin flavor of "Dizzy's Connotations" obviously salutes Dizzy Gillespie, and Hubbard also revisits his classic "Red Clay." The only song not from Hubbard's pen is Chick Corea's "Inner Space," a fine arrangement by Weiss that oddly features no trumpet or flügelhorn solos. The supporting cast on this topnotch CD also includes Kenny Garrett, Xavier Davis, Javon Jackson, and Dwayne Burno.