Freddie Hubbard - Keystone Bop 1981

The lineup features Hubbard on trumpet, the great Joe Henderson (tenor saxophone), Bobby Hutcherson (vibes), and a seething young rhythm section that would quickly move to the forefront of jazz in the '80s and '90s. The blowing on that night was furious, and it's captured perfectly here. Hubbard's own tunes-"Birdlike" (for Charlie Parker), "The Intrepid Fox," and the funky "Skydive"-all catch fire. The solos exchanged between Henderson and Hubbard on "The Intrepid Fox"-long, passionate explorations packed with leaping phrases and dynamic tension-show these two giants at their straight-ahead best.

Vol 2

These four lengthy live tracks, recorded over two nights in 1982 at San Francisco's now-defunct Keystone Korner, feature Freddie Hubbard along with the stalwart tenor saxophone of Joe Henderson and the vastly under-appreciated Bobby Hutcherson on vibes. As is often the case with Hubbard ensembles, the rhythm section is a group of extremely talented young Turks-here Billy Childs on piano, Larry Klein on bass, and Steve Houghton on bass.

Keystone Korner was surely the place to be on those two nights in November. Hubbard, emerging from a decade of more commercial explorations, seems more alive than ever as he embraces old forms. Three of the tunes are his own, including the classic "Red Clay" which eases out of a loose, raucous intro into that infectious funk-jazz groove. Hubbard's soloing is on fire throughout. Henderson's extended cadenza on Thelonious Monk's "'Round Midnight" is a jaw dropper. This Prestige release is as live as it gets.

Vol 1

1. Birdlike
2. Littlest One of All, The
3. Intrepid Fox, The
4. Sky Dive
5. Body and Soul

Vol 2

1. One of Another Kind
2. 'Round Midnight
3. Red Clay
4. First Light

Freddie Hubbard- trumpet, flugelhorn
Joe Henderson - tenor saxophone
Bobby Hutcherson - vibraphone
Billy Childs - piano
Larry Klein - bass
Steve Houghton - drums

Recorded live at Keystone Korner, San Francisco, California on November 27 & 28, 1981. Includes liner notes by Ed Michel.