Vinyl of the Day - Freddie Hubbard: "Gleam"

Vinyl of the Day
Freddie Hubbard: "Gleam" (Columbia) 1975

The most sought-after Freddie Hubbard album, this 2-LP set was recorded live (and released only) in Tokyo, and not yet reissued on CD not even in Japan. Includes great versions of Stevie Wonder's "Too High", David Nichtern's "Midnight at the Oasis", and Thom Bell/Linda Creed r&b ballad-anthem "Betcha By Golly Wow", which had been included on his last CTI studio album of out-takes, "Polar AC". Another piece from Freddie's CTI heyday is "Spirits of Trane", an incredible hard-bop tune originally cut in 1973 for the "Keep Your Soul Together" LP.

Features Hubbard's road band at that time: Carl Randall, Jr. (tenor sax & flute), George Cables (Fender Rhodes), Henry Franklin (bass), Carl Burnett (drums) and Buck Clark (congas & percussion).

I'm trying to pursue Sony to reissue it next year, but it will depend on the sales of "The Love Connection", which comes out on CD next week. Keep your fingers crossed!