Freddie Hubbard – Sky Dive

Track A1 “Povo” alone is worth the price of admission, jazz funk at its best.

Killer record. Words words words words... and the pressing is great.

Man, Rudy van Gelder was such an incredible technical genius when it came to mastering and engineering records. This is a perfect example. The sound quality on this LP is just astonishing. These old CTI records need more respect when it comes to audiophiles, and here's a prime example of why.

Wow! Great album, solid pressing, and look at the lineup. RVG is a master.

has anyone ever figured what are we exactly looking at in the cover picture? it looks like a painting (or a collage perhaps) even though the liner notes list it as a photograph, the machine thingy vaguely resembles a plane of sorts (sky dive, yeah) but its mirrored? and its actually not: it has an inscription on its left 'tail' (down left on the front cover) which is not present on its opposite. i know its Pete Turner but this is one of the most abstract designs i've seen of his, can't quite wrap my head around it...

10 points sound, year unknown, van gelder stamps and the sound as expected!! Clear and dynamic.

My goodness the lineup on this album... How can you not buy it just from reading the feature list on the cover? What I love about Freddie and his 70's (especially CTI) work is the way he let the fantastic cast around him shine. Yes it's a Freddie Hubbard album, his trumpet is front and center frequently, but you also get extended solos; example: Hubert Laws and George Benson. Obviously there's moments when Billy Cobham steals the show (thankfully), and others where Ron Carter's bass groove is nearly hypnotizing.
Simply put, this is everything to love about early 70's CTI.

not exist 3 "Naturally" Written-By – Nat Adderley mistake

I have a similar version but slightly different:
The labels are the same as this version except there is "SIDE 1" and "SIDE 2" (like https://www.discogs.com/Freddie-Hubbard-Sky-Dive/release/1044988) but there is, like this one, no address under the CTI logo and no "universal stereo"
Runouts:
Runout (A runout etched): RVG.87677.A-1
Runout (B runout etched): RVG.87677.B-2.
Runout (A & B runout stamped): VAN GELDER

Track A1 is about as good as jazz-funk gets. Really love the incredibly funky Ron Carter bass line. Stellar solos from both Hubbard and Benson. Tracks A2 and B1 are forgettable which is why this is rated down from 5/5. Have always loved the packaging of these earlier CTI releases (up until 1973 or so). Nice heavyweight laminated gatefold jackets with inspiring cover artwork. Also some fantastic music intermixed in those releases. Certainly some that stand up to the best recordings Blue Note or some of the other more collectible jazz labels were doing around the time although tending to tighter arrangements