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
History Gets Ahead of the Story cover

History Gets Ahead of the Story

Jeff Cosgrove, John Medeski, Jeff Lederer
Angular Blues cover

Angular Blues

Scott Colley, Brian Blade, Wolfgang Muthspiel
Heritage cover

Heritage

Eddie Henderson
Highway Rider cover

Highway Rider

Brad Mehldau
Blacks and Blues cover

Blacks and Blues

Bobbi Humphrey
Organic Vibes cover

Organic Vibes

Joey DeFrancesco
City Swamp cover

City Swamp

Jake Long
Speaking in Tongues cover

Speaking in Tongues

David Murray, Fontella Bass