What makes Double Take by Freddie Hubbard notable?

Double Take received critical acclaim for its innovative arrangements and profound musical conversation between the artists, particularly noted in reviews from major jazz publications. The album further solidified Hubbard's legacy as a master trumpeter while also enhancing Shaw's prominence during the mid-1980s jazz scene. Released in 1985, Double Take marked a significant collaborative effort between Freddie Hubbard and Woody Shaw, two titans of jazz. At this point in his career, Hubbard was well-established but sought to rejuvenate his sound through collaboration, having previously navigated both commercial success and artistic exploration throughout the 1970s.

Who is Double Take for?

Double Take works well if you're into steady progression through improvisation, rich melodic textures for focus and evening relaxation with brass harmonies.

How many songs are on Double Take?

Double Take has 7 tracks, running approximately 43 minutes.

Double Take

Freddie Hubbard · 1985

43 min · 7 tracks · jazz

A vibrant fusion of intricate melodies and bold improvisation, showcasing the interplay between trumpet and saxophone in a jazz dialogue.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Lament for Booker — This track serves as a poignant tribute to the late pianist Booker Little, blending emotional depth with harmonic complexity that highlights both musicians' strengths.
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Hub-Tones — A reimagining of Hubbard's earlier work, this piece showcases intricate melodic lines and dynamic exchanges that exemplify the synergy between trumpet and saxophone.
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Desert Moonlight — Spanning nearly eight minutes, this expansive composition allows for deep improvisational exploration, highlighting Hubbard’s lyrical playing contrasted with Shaw’s robust style.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong melodies and improvisation but lacks a cohesive narrative throughout its runtime.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent interplay between trumpet and saxophone, with each instrument taking turns in melodic phrases and improvisational sections.
Tracks like 'Desert Moonlight' and 'Just a Ballad for Woody' showcase extended solos that highlight the technical prowess of both Hubbard and Shaw.
The overall tempo varies significantly across the seven tracks, with some pieces maintaining a brisk pace while others slow down to create contrasting moods.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady progression through improvisation
rich melodic textures for focus
evening relaxation with brass harmonies
thoughtful moments of lyrical elegance

Maybe skip if you

prefer fast-paced, immediate gratification
seek standalone tracks over cohesion

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 1985, Double Take marked a significant collaborative effort between Freddie Hubbard and Woody Shaw, two titans of jazz. At this point in his career, Hubbard was well-established but sought to rejuvenate his sound through collaboration, having previously navigated both commercial success and artistic exploration throughout the 1970s.
Stylistic neighbors: Lee Morgan· Donald Byrd· Art Farmer