Customer Reviews

First Light

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4 star:		(4)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

A basic principle of marketing and advertising states that if you have a great product, chances are it'll sell itself. This principle also applies to the world of jazz - and Freddie Hubbard exploits his product with such passion and zeal that the man needs nothing more than his trumpet and a group of skilled sidemen to offer a sound that could fill thousands of billboards.
I've been a devoted listener to Hubbard's work, both collecting and indulging myself in all of his projects, ranging from his tenure has a sideman with Art Blakey, Herbie Hancock, Bill Evans, and Hank Mobley as well as all of his material as group leader, and, at times, Hubbard comes close to displacing Miles Davis as my all-time favorite trumpeter.

When I first heard this album, it was not hard to displace the legendary Miles Davis and rank Freddie Hubbard as the greatest trumpet player in jazz.

The liner notes tell the rest of the story - about how, even in 1971, Hubbard was on the verge of nationally displacing Miles Davis as the #1 jazz trumpeter because Miles was venturing too deeply into the impressionistic virtuosities of jazz-rock fusion and was simply keeping afloat by reputation alone. But when it came to pure, unadulterated talent: Hubbard was the man who could play the trumpet like no one else.

Many of Hubbard's earlier albums are some of the best jazz records I've ever listened to, and much of his sideman work is surely something to brag on, but by the time this album was recorded, Hubbard infused this album with something that no other album contains: communication. From the very first note to the very last, it is impossible to turn your attention away from the music because each note is like a word in an intimate conversation - and each word is part of a wonderful story.

For instance, on the opening title track, the listener is immediately transported to a remote location at sunrise, and as the sun continues to rise with each note, the location becomes less and less remote until it becomes an entire metropolis booming with activity due to the break of day. Hubbard does an extraordinary job transforming Leonard Bernstein's "Lonely Town" into an expressionistic masterwork of his own while at the same time giving new life to a freshly released "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" by Paul and Linda McCartney. By the end of the final track, "Fantasy in D," which lives up to the fantastic qualities of its name, you will want to listen to the whole thing again and again and again. These songs are not the typical jazz interpretations of pop songs and showtunes: these are pop songs and showtunes which, because of Hubbard's great product, become jazz standards.

Freddie Hubbard has claimed this is his favorite recording, and it may very well be so, but it is far from his best work. It lacks the dexterity and freshness of his early work with Herbie Hancock (think Maiden Voyage, et al) and solo efforts such as Hubtones, and it lacks the raw originality and groove of his later (relatively speaking) recordings, such as Red Clay and Straight Life; that being said, I can see why the artist would be fond of this particular suite, for it's lush textures, beautiful melodies, and easy breezy feelings it's grooves produce, and also the great Freddie solos. It is a top-notch work, especially if one is a fan of the heavy production CTI engineers commonly used, and this recording is no exception. If adding strings to jazz conjures memories of long elevator rides or grocery store trips, stay away from this album. If solid arranging and soloing trumps a faint cheese smell for you, then buy away.

Zach

Freddie Hubbard was one of the most prolific jazz trumpeters in the business. He played a hot and sassy horn! When he was teamed up with George Benson, Eric Gale, Herbie Hancock, and Ron Carter (just to name a few) on this one of many Creed Taylor-produced collaborations, he most deservedly won the Grammy!

The opening title song "First Light" has an ethereal beginning with a diverse arrangement. An unusual arrangement of Paul McCartney's "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" is most satisfying. Henry Mancini's "Moment To Moment" has a hauntingly sweet sound. "Lonely Town" is darkly complex.

There are many sides and moods to each of the songs within this original work. With stylish jazzy rhythms and rich orchestrations, this is THE Freddie Hubbard album to have!

Recorded in september 1971, this still sounds well engineered.The music was arranged by Don Sebesky, and he,Hubbard and the best NY session people create a special kind of emotional tone. "Moment to moment" and "lonely town" are my favourites - sad at times but never maudlin. Lovely brass, woodwinds and cello are especially good. But it is the care and feeling of the players that makes this album endure.

Trumpet maestro Freddie Hubbard took home a Grammy Award for his 1971 album FIRST LIGHT, and it's easy to hear why. Lush and emotive, pairing virtuoso flights by Hubbard and guitarist George Benson with melodramatic orchestrations that just manage to avoid going over the top, this is indeed the sort of recording which anyone, of whatever musical taste, could fall in love with on his first listen. Its easy appeal is backed up by solid writing and playing, however - most notably on Hubbard's mammoth title track, an eleven-minute tour de force built around a gorgeously descending head you'll never forget once you've heard it. The artist's - and CTI Records' - approach is similarly effective on a slew of covered tunes by modern composers such as Paul McCartney and Leonard Bernstein, with a powerful original by CTI house arranger Don Sebesky ("Fantasy in D"), omitted from the original LP release for some ludicrous reason, bringing things to a fine finish. The work of keyboardist Richard Wyands also deserves mention; though given no real solo space, he adds considerably to the album's grandly romantic ambience. In short, FIRST LIGHT is first rate, and no one need hesitate in adding it to his or her cache of passionate, classy music. A triumph!

With the recent death of Freddie Hubbard, maybe somebody at Sony will wake up and see fit to do a decent remastering of what is truly one of Freddie's best. While the leader's horn cuts through loud and clear, the other instruments have been reduced to a tinny, poppy mess on this CD. Jack DeJonette's drums sound like popping corn and scarcely reflect the rhythmic mastery and nuance he brings to this album. Ron Carter, one of the great bassists, is barely audible. Come on, Sony, do the right thing. Twenty years in digital time is an eternity.

Here it is, some 35 odd years after this recording was released and it still engages you. I realize that there have been a number of orchestral trumpet recordings attempted by the likes of Roy Hargrove, Wallace Roney and Chris Botti, but this one is, to my ears, more essential.

Freddie plays with absolutely beautiful tone throughout, surrounded by stellar musicians. CTI had this stable of musicians that were a veritable who's who.

Here you have Richard Wyands, Hubert Laws, George Benson (who is just great on two pieces that feature his soloing), Jack De Johnette, Ron Carter, Airto Moreira, Hubert Laws, Romeo Penque and others.

The title cut is now a classic and features a robust Freddie playing melodically and assertively. With a rich dark tone he shows those post bop sensibilities while backed by a rich orchestra but non-intrusive arrangement. Freddie plays everything with the melody and composition in mind. Jack De Johnette is essential on this one. He provides a propulsive but loose pulse. George Benson is just incredible on this one. When I first heard this in 1971, I immediately become a jazz guitar devotee. Because of this solo, I checked out Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, Ted Dunbar, Pat Martino, Herb Ellis, Barney Kessel and others.

Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey is next and is done very nicely, with a switch in accents and tempo in the middle. George Benson's solo literally steals the song away from Freddie.

The rest of the pieces such as "Moment to Moment", "Lonely Town" and "Yesterday's Dreams" are beautifully done.

I am glad that the unique cover art was preserved. CTI always had such unique cover art and to give credit where credit is due, the one responsibile for these covers was Bob Ciano.

This one is also a great introduction and a good doorway into jazz. This recording serves both the longtime jazz fans and the new listener as well.

This one should be in every collection

First Light by Freddie Hubbard is one of the first jazz albums I ever purchased back in 1972. The whole thing was great and I enjoy it as much today in 2006 as I did back then. Creed Taylor signed all the very big names in jazz back then & so every CTI album was like a Who's Who of jazz. I bought anything that had a CTI label. Freddie and cast were supreme on First Light.

First Light is the third of a prolific relationship between Freddie Hubbard and CTI records, and the first to feature the gorgeous arrangements of Don Sebesky. The orchestration gives the title track a spacey mood over which Freddie and guitarist George Benson play gently, yet very strongly. Listening to it truly takes me to a special place and leaves me awestruck, with the image of the first light of morning the song evokes. The cover of "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" pulls the same trick with tougher solos and an arrangement that keeps the melody intact. Benson's solo here is tough, smart and imaginative, the place he would go on his own "Bad Benson" in 1974. Fair to say, these guys were on a roll. The Sebesky charts suggest the best of Gil Evans's work for Miles Davis. Yes, the year was 1971. Jazz was starting to sound different. To the string section skeptics, my heart goes out. There's some gorgeous playing on here and word is, "First Light" was Freddie's personal favorite.

PS: Make sure you get the RVG edition with the bonus live version of "First Light". It translates great to an unorchestrated setting and Freddie's performance is nothing short of a religious experience.

One of the first albums I purchased as a kid was First Light. Freddie Hubbard is a ballad master as demonstrated by his renditions of Moment To Moment, Yesterday's Dreams and Lonely Town. Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey is a beautiful version of the Beatles tune. The intro and closing are classic Hubbard tones! This CD should be included in any jazz lovers collection. Now if I could only find Blue Spirits (not the import)! The title track is Freddie Hubbard at his finest.