I'll confess, I initially bought this as it was another chance to hear my favorite tenor man Hank Mobley paired with my favorite trumpet player, Freddie Hubbard. I got much more than the hard bop outing I expected, as this album is a treasure trove of fantastic horn playing and elegant soulful compositions from Hubbard. There are three different groups represented here and I won't go into complete personnel on each as that's covered ably by Amazon's product description.

According to the liner notes, this was the first time Hub had written for four horns. Well, if he was inexperienced, it certainly doesn't show. All of the music is stellar. As on Ready for Freddie, I really enjoyed the addition of the euphonium. It's just such an interesting sounding instrument, somewhere in between a trombone and a tuba. Big Black's congas on "Soul Surge" and "Cunga Black" are another welcome tonal variation, adding a Latin feel without losing any of the jazz groove.

All of the musicians acquit themselves admirably. James Spaulding is given quite a bit to do on this album, as he contributes flute and alto sax. Hank Mobley is excellent as always on the selections he plays on and I enjoyed Joe Henderson's tenor work as well. Both drummers are equally as solid, keeping smooth grooves going.

Of the two bonus tracks, "The Melting Pot" is quite good with a great rhythm and playing from all involved. "True Colors" is a bit more experimental, not really my cup of tea at this point. It's not that its not good, its just a little more disjointed than I would prefer and there doesn't seem to be a theme or groove to hold on to. If this is what's considered avant guard, then I don't think I'm quite at the stage of my jazz education where I can appreciate it.

All in all, another beautiful release by Freddie Hubbard.

Unlike say Joe Henderson, whom he was similar to in many ways, Freddie Hubbard's reputation took some hits as the years wore on. Partly due to his diminished chops and partly due to his, what even he considered, selling out. However later recordings don't do anything to diminish an artist's masterwork (just imagine if miles davis were remembered for "amandla" instead of "kind of blue"). So rather than judge Freddie Hubbard by his worst he should be judged by his best, which this album, along with "Hub-tones" and "Ready for Freddie", represent. What sets this album apart is it's textured ambition. While "Hub-tones" was Freddie's hard bop thing done at it's best (though like this album also a platform for his compositions), and a showcase for his trumpet prowess; "blue spirits" isn't centered on just the trumpet, it's greatness is in the totality of the ensemble's sound. And what an ensemble it is, with people like hank mobley, james spaulding, joe henderson, mccoy tyner, pete la roca, herbie hancock, bob cranshaw, and others. They achieve a thematic unity that is interesting, challenging, acessible, fresh, and a massive physical tribute to group interplay. This is a musical feast where there's something for everybody, so eat up.

In recent reviews of trumpeter Freddie Hubbard Blue Note reissues "Night of the Cookers" and "Breaking Point", I said that it was great to have those titles available again but that I would prefer it if the rarer "Blue Spirits" had been released. Well the folks at Blue Note must have been reading my Amazon comments because "Blue Spirits" has been included in the latest batch RVG reissues (8/10/04). This title had been previously available on CD, but aside from a brief reprint in the old Collectors Choice program, it has been out-of-print for nearly 15 years! Well I must say it is great to finally capture the elusive "Blue Spirits." This disc is actually made up of three different recording sessions. The first two tracks, "Soul Serge" and "Cunga Black," are from February 19, 1965 and feature James Spaulding on alto sax and flute, Joe Henderson on tenor sax, Kiane Zawadi on euphonium, Harold Mabern Jr. on piano, Larry Ridley on bass, Clifford Jarvis on drums and Big Black on conga. This material is latin-flavored, soul jazz and very similar in style to the music on "Night of the Cookers." Many will find these songs enjoyable but for me they are the album's most predictable selections and therefore the weakest. Next are three cuts from a week later (2/26/65) again featuring Hub, Spaulding and Zawadi, but this time joined by Hank Mobley on tenor sax, McCoy Tyner on piano, Bob Cranshaw on bass, and Pete LaRoca on drums. This is classic modern modal jazz and all three songs, "Outer Forces," "Blue Spirits" and "Jodo" (reprised on "Cookers" but tighter here), are among the best Blue Note songs of the period. However, the most surprising material comes from the final session of March 5, 1966 with Hub, Henderson, Hosea Taylor on bassoon, Herbie Hancock on piano and celeste, Reggie Workman on bass, and Elvin Jones on drums. These two tracks, "The Melting Pot" and "True Colors," were not included on the original vinyl and are bonus tracks to this CD (and the previous incarnation). While Hubbard penned all seven of this CD's compositions, these two are a noticeable departure from his previous writing. Sure, they are experimental but fascinating in revealing Freddie's numerous creative talents, and the direction his music could have taken had he continued down this avant-garde path. In all, "Blue Spirits" is one of those rare Blue Note gems that I have enjoyed for years, and now with this reissue you can too.