Isolating the substance of this LP is like trying to trap a jelly in a bath of soapy water. On the one hand, we have Hubbard making much powerful music on both flugelhorn and trumpet, abetted by some bewitching flute work from Laws. On the other hand, string arrangements by Don Sebesky or Bob James tramp flat-footedly about in the background, determinedly distracting from the virtues of the hornmen’s solos. In league with the fiddles, moreover, quasi-rock rhythms clump along in their predictable patterns, completing the trivialisation with their habit of taking away more than they give to the proceedings.
The contrast is further deepened by the lengthy Son Of Sky Dive, during which tenorist Cook demonstrates a comfortable maturity. He is sadly underemployed these days, and it is to Hubbard’s credit that he uses him here. But the favour is returned – Hubbard’s sinewy blowing requires a gritty foil, and that is just what Cook provides. The main problem is that it seems to be that same composition that is played throughout. The tempos differ, and marginal adjustments are made, but the overall mood is the same. It is all very pleasant, but undemanding and therefore, I suspect, ephemeral.
Discography
(a) Polar AC; (b) People Make The World Go Round; (c) Betcha, By Golly, Wow! (20½ min) – (d) Naturally; (e) Son Of Sky Dive (19 min)
(a) Hubbard (fl-hn); Hubert Laws (flt); George Benson (gtr); Ron Carter (bs); Jack DeJohnette (dm) plus strings.
(b) Hubbard (tpt); Laws (flt); George Cables (pno); Benson (gtr); Carter (bs); Lennie White (dm); Airto (perc) plus strings.
(c) omit Cables and White.
(d) Hubbard (tpt); Laws (flt); Benson (gtr); Carter (bs); Billy Cobham (dm); plus brass and saxes.
(e) Hubbard (tpt); Laws (flt); Junior Cook (ten); Cables (pno); Carter (bs); White (dm).
(CTI 6056 £2.45)
