Goin' Up

"Goin' Up" is the second album by trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, a classic in the hard bop era, full of fire, finesse, and rich interplay. Released on May 1961 it was recorded in November 6, 1960 at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. Following his debut "Open Sesame" (1960), with "Goin' Up" continued Hubbard's partnership with producer Alfred Lion and sound engineer Rudy Van Gelder, forging his hard bop signature. The record is a bold and soulful statement from a young Freddie Hubbard 22 years old at the time: his command and creativity are on full display, supported by an all-star ensemble as Hank Mobley, McCoy Tyner, Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones. Their synergy is palpable: Tyner's dynamic modes, Chambers' grounding bass, and Jones's rhythmic drive provide a powerful foundation for Hubbard and Mobley to stretch out. The album blends spirited hard bop energy with emotional depth, ideal for anyone exploring Hubbard's formative and most exciting studio work: a few outstanding solos, playing lyrically on the ballads and building his own sound out of the Clifford Brown/Lee Morgan tradition. "Goin' Up" is a defining moment for Hubbard's early career: a hard bop session with emotional breadth, technical prowess, and top-tier musical conversation.