Straight Life

i cant agree w any who say this is not in the same class as red clay--- this jazz fusion funk whatever u want to call it-- if miles invented/perfected it which he may have - he is a jazz god ! then hubbard and this gang all miles alumnae---jumped in and had some crazy fun which is so evident on this 1970 date----freddie unloads here right from the start---and joe henderson catches the fire too and he blazes like never b4 here----by hubbards second solo on the first tune- he settles into more of a groove and w the rest of this amazing roster of players its quite a thrilling bubbling mix----a dizzying and divine madness percolates herein ! for me this is a classic gem-and the best in this genre of its era--tho miles was still going strong at this time--- i think agharta was still to come-- and to me that was miles' swan song-- his last incredible session----but here w hubbard---a similar grooove of hearty proportions !!! a real groovathon !!! just check out the roster of players on this-benson carter hancock dejohnette etc ! the best !!!!!

This is really great jazz fusion. The horn in the lead song is exceptional and takes a lot of skill. It's very unusual.

While not traditional jazz, it is the popular fusion. This is a very good album with three very exceptional tracks.

This is an electrifying classic that was recorded in 1970. The album shows that those wonderful early years of fusion were the best by far. Jazz musicians started combining rock and funk into this really cool and unique sound. This is Freddie Hubbard's best post-'60s recording in my opinion.

Highly recommended.

Straight Life may well be Freddie Hubbard's best album. Though only containing three tracks, the album packs a powerful punch. It is jazz-rock fusion at its best. Mr. Hubbard assembled a who's who of jazz musicians from this time period including Joe Henderson on saxophone, George Benson on guitar, Herbie Hancock on electric piano, Ron Carter on bass and Jack DeJohnette on drums. The title track is built on a Latin beat and features an insane intro by Mr. Hubbard. Mr. DeJohnette provides a fierce foundation that the other musicians climb on top of and fire off. "Mr. Clean" shifts into funk with some fat and chunky riffing. Mr. Henderson throws off some hefty passages and Mr. Hancock shines on a great solo. The final track "Here's That Rainy Day" brings the album into ballad territory, but it is saved by some impressive guitar and bass work by Mr. Benson and Mr. Carter respectively.

CTI Records' early 1970s catalogue is an embarrassment of riches, with nearly all the brightest lights of the preceding decade appearing repeatedly as leaders and/or sidemen on well-balanced albums which for the most part manage to be both artistic and accessible. Trumpeter Freddie Hubbard was one of the label's biggest stars, and this 1970 blowing session (his second CTI LP) serves as a fine case in point. Surrounded by fellow ex-Blue Note Wunderkinder (Herbie Hancock and Joe Henderson), Miles Davis rhythm section alumni (Ron Carter and Jack DeJohnette) and the tasty picking of a young George Benson, Hubbard riffs through two extended original jams in characteristically titanic fashion, slowing down to display his matchless sensitivity on a light, lovely cover of "Here's That Rainy Day." All hands deliver a fine, funky performance, which is happily free of the hit-or-miss orchestrations which CTI employed on most of its releases at the time, including many of Hubbard's. Classic early fusion of a decidedly listenable variety, STRAIGHT LIFE is a great way for pop and rock fans to get themselves into jazz, and for jazz fans to remind themselves what it was that made them fall in love with the genre in the first place. Hot!

this is one of the albums that makes anyone who says george benson is washed up look like a big stupid jerk. cti in the seventies was the label for jazz as far as i'm concerned, this album is packed tight with incredible jams.