Creed Taylor was certainly on the ball when he recorded a concert with CTI stars on a short tour of the USA in 1973. Thus the beginning of the jazz-rock era was documented in jazz's country of origin. Liberated from the often-sterile atmosphere in a studio, Freddie Hubbard, Stanley Turrentine and friends (here also without a sometimes stifling studio band) could exhibit their amazing improvisational talents as soloists in lengthy works. This was greatly facilitated by the groove conjured up by Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter and Jack DeJohnette – who had all profited from Miles Davis's tutoring. And let's not forget guitarist Eric Gale, who transported hot Jamaican rhythm to the wintery Chicago and Detroit.

To release both versions of "Gibraltar" and "Hornets" is certainly justifiable, keeping in mind the greatness of the improvising soloists. It also makes sense to offer the two volumes, originally released separately, together, since they both deliver an important testimony of the years between 1970 and 1975 – a time when jazz aficionados of the old school were shaken to their foundations by the new electric instruments, the loudness and the fire of the new generation of musicians. Back in those days, some would have covered their ears in horror, but this is no longer 'in' over 40 years later. This jazz was never a 'no go' and it will never be!

Recorded live in March of 1973 at the Chicago Opera House in Chicago, IL and Ford Auditorium in Detroit, MI by Charles Buchanan and mixed by Rudy Van Gelder, this Speakers Corner 180-gram double vinyl reissue was remastered using pure analogue components only, from the master tapes through to the cutting head.

Musicians:
Freddie Hubbard (trumpet)
Stanley Turrentine (saxophone)
Eric Gale (guitar)
Herbie Hancock (piano)
Ron Carter (bass)
Jack DeJohnette (drums)