McCoy Tyner and Freddie Hubbard, 1986

In 1986, Fabrik—or Factory—stood on the west side of Hamburg, Germany, in the Altona district. Back then, the former machine-parts factory was a cultural center frequented by young people in the left-wing eco-movement and by those on the right, depending on what was on the bill at the performance space. Sometimes the two groups converged when the performers appealed to both groups. As a result, Fabrik's programs were often highly diverse, ranging from pop and ska to punk and jazz. Fabrik still stands and operates at its original location in the city.

On June 18, 1986, the McCoy Tyner-Freddie Hubbard Quartet performed there, with Tyner on piano, Hubbard on trumpet and flugelhorn, Avery Sharpe on bass and Louis Hayes on drums. The live recording has just been released as Live at Fabrik, Hamburg 1986 by Germany's Proper Records on its Jazzline Classics label as part of the NDR Kultur series. We can thank Thomas Engel, who was responsible for programming, and Horst Dietrich, Fabrik's late owner, for the hair-raising music. I'm guessing the set was originally taped by the Northern German Broadcasting Corp. (NDR) for radio broadcast and someone recently found the reels.

Nine pieces were performed, including Tyner’s Inner Glimpse and Latino Suite, Hubbard’s Neo-Terra, and lengthy explorations of the standards Body and Soul and 'Round Midnight. The live performance by Tyner and Hubbard is extraordinary, and the fidelity is rather stunning. It sounds as if this quartet is in your room playing for you. There doesn't seem to be any ambient noise or muffled sonics. The only way you know it's live is from the audience reaction.

Among the highlights are, Latino Suite, a trio performance by Tyner, Sharpe and Hayes. First recorded on June 7, 1986 for Tyner's Double Trios album, the piece is a powerful showcase for the pianist's stormy keyboard attack and his hypnotic rolling solos that seem to use every note in the lower register.

Body and Soul opens with Hubbard playing a sterling intro to Stardust before the group joins for the standard at hand. The trumpeter is absolutely gorgeous here, supported by the trio's meaty comping before Sharpe jumps in for a bass solo.

Neo-Terra is a free-for-all in blizzard conditions as each of the four musicians go off in separate directions. Island Birdie is a spirited calypso, with Tyner this time using every key on the piano, from the tippy top to the very bottom.

The tempo on 'Round Midnight is interesting, with Tyner playing in double time underneath Hubbard's standard base and blistering solo. Sharpe and Tyner take strong solos as well.

Tyner's Blues for Basie was first recorded in 1985 on the pianist's Just Feelin' album in 1985. Count Basie had died in 1984, and Tyner and Hubbard pay tribute to the Count's minimalist beauty. But their spare playing lasts only so long before both musicians lean in and put their shoulders to the wheel for a more roiling expression.

And finally, there's What Is This Thing Called Love. It's an up-tempo rendition that's sprayed rather than played, almost like a fast-line caricature of the original standard. Since the song is so well known, it's fascinating to hear this drag-race rendition.

Freddie Hubbard died in 2008 and McCoy Tyner died in 2020.

JazzWax clip: Here's Body and Soul...



And here's the beautiful Latino Suite...