Freddie Hubbard - Classic Recordings: 1960-1962 (2017)

This collects Hubbard's early work, mostly under his own name. If you've purchased similar sets from the Enlightenment label you know what to expect as far as sound (good/very good) and packaging (okay/good), but at this price this is still a good deal--especially if you're new to Hubbard's music or you 're missing some of his early stuff. But know that some sets in this series are missing music found on the original albums--so check the trackl istsing if that's a concern.

Beside the albums under Hubbard's name, also here he's heard to good effect on Oliver Nelson's classic set "Blues And The Abstract Truth" album (along with Bill Evans, Eric Dolphy, and others) , and a typically fine set under Hank Mobley's name also for Blue Note. "Artistry Of Freddie Hubbard' features some hot playing from John Gilmore, taking time off from his tenor sax duties with Sun Ra. Trombonist Curtis Fuller (also heard on "Artistry...") plays with Hubbard and Yusef Lateef on an early set that shows his early sound and approach to jazz. Hubbard's first album under his name,"Open Sesame" features McCoy Tyner on piano, and the great (underrated) Tina Brooks on tenor sax. "Going Up Up Up" has Tyner and Mobley along for some pretty good blowing. "Ready For Freddie" has the horn of Wayne Shorter, Tyner's piano, and Bernard McKinney on euphonium along with Hubbard--showing their early sound on some good blowing tunes with the great Elvin Jones on drums. "Hub-Tones" features Herbie Hancock on piano, and James Spaulding on alto sax and flute--a great early album. The Hubbard/Lateef/Fuller album is okay--typical jazz for the period--some good period arrangements but nothing startling.

All in all a nice batch of Hubbard's early work--but there's a lot more under other artist's names (many on the Blue Note label) besides just Mobley--but this is a good look at Hubbard's early playing. Worth owning if you don't have all these albums or want his earliest stuff in one nice, neat box set.