Freddie Hubbard brought a beautiful tone and an instinct for swing to Hub Cap. This record came out in 1961, three years before Eric Dolphy's Out To Lunch and four years before Herbie Hancock's Maiden Voyage : two significant titles in the library of America's improvised music which feature a consequential role by Hubbard.

Freddie Hubbard leads a particularly talented sextet on this reissue. Four of the six compositions are Hubbard originals; two numbers were composed by Cedar Walton, and the marvelous "Cry Me Not" was penned by Randy Weston. The title track opens the disc, showing off Hubbard's flexibility and range in hard bop terrain. The pace shifts when the group leads into the modal ballad "Cry Not For Me," where Freddie Hubbard delivers some beautiful triplet lines in his solos. This number bears repeated listening.

This long-awaited CD from Freddie Hubbard's discography deserves your attention and makes a fine addition to your collection.