"Freddie Hubbard is featured during a 1991 Warsaw concert just a few weeks after the death of Miles Davis, though by this point in his career the trumpeter's chops are not consistently up to par. Joined by pianist Ronnie Mathews, tenor saxophonist Don Braden, bassist Jeff Chambers, and drummer Ralph Penland, the ambitious program kicks off with a furious-paced take of Cedar Walton's "Bolivia," though the high notes give the leader some trouble and he quickly abandons them. Likewise, Hubbard's solo introduction to "God Bless the Child" is erratic and the rather pedestrian attempt at Miles Davis' landmark composition "All Blues" is frankly dull, as it doesn't take enough chances. The final track, "Dear John," is Hubbard's reworking of the chord changes to John Coltrane's "Giant Steps," but his intonation problems make it difficult to enjoy." (Ken Dryden, Allmusic)
"To follow up on his unexpected boogaloo hit "The Sidewinder," Lee Morgan recorded Andrew Hill's somewhat similar "The Rumproller" but this time the commercial magic was not there. However the trumpeter, tenor-saxophonist Joe Henderson, pianist Ronnie Mathews, bassist Victor Sproles and drummer Billy Higgins all play quite well on the title cut, two of Morgan's songs (the bossa nova "Eclipso" is somewhat memorable), a ballad tribute to Billie Holiday and Wayne Shorter's "Edda." This album is worth picking up but it is not essential." (Scott Yanow, Allmusic)
