Sunflower cover

Sunflower

Released

This 1973 album by vibraphonist Milt Jackson features an absolutely killer band: Freddie Hubbard on trumpet and flugelhorn, Herbie Hancock on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Billy Cobham on drums, plus about 20 other musicians creating lush orchestrations behind the core quintet. Jackson’s style is so dignified and stately that even when he’s technically soloing all the way through a piece (closely shadowed by Hancock), it rarely feels that way. Even Hubbard holds back, serving up relatively few of the sky-scraping runs he was famous for, choosing tenderness and beauty instead. This is some of the most sublime ensemble playing you’ll ever hear.

Phil Freeman

Recommended by

Suggestions
1961 cover

1961

Jimmy Giuffre, Paul Bley, Steve Swallow
RoundAgain cover

RoundAgain

Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride, Joshua Redman, Brian Blade
Spirit Groove cover

Spirit Groove

David Murray, Kahil El'Zabar
Fancy Dancer cover

Fancy Dancer

Bobbi Humphrey
Long in the Tooth cover

Long in the Tooth

The Budos Band
Sound Pieces cover

Sound Pieces

Michał Urbaniak
New Ammo cover

New Ammo

Karl Denson's Tiny Universe