Backlash

Freddie Hubbard | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 28, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Koch Records
• ASIN: B00003XB5V
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #213,708 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Backlash

2. The Return of the Prodigal Son

3. Little Sunflower

4. On the Que-Tee

5. Up Jumped Spring

6. Echoes of Blue

Editorial Reviews

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.

Product Description

2002 remastered reissue of 1967 album. Digipak. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Awesome, March 17, 2001

By 

toxophilitetx (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Backlash (Audio CD)

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!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good album from the excellent trumpet player., November 1, 2001

By 

Mister Hip-Hop (The Land Where Hip-Hop And Jazz Live.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Backlash (Audio CD)

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.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Conservative "Backlash", October 3, 2000

By 

Michael B. Richman (Portland, Maine USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Backlash (Audio CD)

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.