Blue Spirits

Blue Spirits is an album by trumpeter Freddie Hubbard released on the Blue Note label. It would be his last studio album for Blue Note, recorded in the 1960s. It features performances by Hubbard, James Spaulding, Joe Henderson, Harold Mabern, Jr., Larry Ridley, Clifford Jarvis, Big Black, Kiane Zawadi, Hank Mobley, McCoy Tyner, Bob Cranshaw, Pete LaRoca. The CD release added tracks from a 1966 session featuring Hosea Taylor, Herbie Hancock, Reggie Workman, and Elvin Jones.

Reception
Allmusic reviewer Scott Yanow stated: "The set is comprisedof [sic] seven diverse Hubbard originals and, even though none of the songs caught on to become standards, the music is quite challenging and fairly memorable." As stated in the liner notes, "The use of a fourth horn for this album, coupled with an exclusive focus on Hubbard's compositions, really threw light on the trumpeter's command of harmony, which is such a critical part of both his improvising and writing personality". Hubbard's playing here is among his best, and this album "is arguably the best recorded example of the Hubbard/James Spaulding partnership" which had been ongoing for the previous two years.

Track listing
All compositions by Freddie Hubbard
 * 1) "Soul Surge" - 10:24
 * 2) "Blue Spirits" - 12:14
 * 3) "Outer Forces" - 9:35
 * 4) "Cunga Black" - 5:15
 * 5) "Jodo" - 7:07
 * 6) "The Melting Pot" - 7:36 Bonus track on CD
 * 7) "True Colors" - 9:53 Bonus track on CD

Recorded on February 19, 1965 (#1, 4), February 26, 1965 (#2, 3, 5) and March 5, 1966 (#6-7).

Personnel
Tracks 1, 4
 * Freddie Hubbard - trumpet
 * James Spaulding - alto saxophone (1), flute (4).
 * Joe Henderson - tenor saxophone
 * Harold Mabern - piano
 * Larry Ridley - bass
 * Clifford Jarvis - drums
 * Big Black - congas
 * Kiane Zawadi - euphonium

Tracks 2, 3, 5
 * Freddie Hubbard - trumpet
 * Hank Mobley - tenor saxophone
 * James Spaulding - alto saxophone (3 & 5), flute (2).
 * McCoy Tyner - piano
 * Bob Cranshaw - bass
 * Pete LaRoca - drums
 * Kiane Zawadi - euphonium

Tracks 6-7
 * Freddie Hubbard - trumpet
 * Joe Henderson - tenor saxophone
 * Hosea Taylor - alto saxophone (6), bassoon (7).
 * Herbie Hancock - piano (6), harpsichord (7).
 * Reggie Workman - bass
 * Elvin Jones - drums