Two Flutes, One R&B Groove
Hubert Laws and Herbie Mann trade solos over electric funk, proving flute could swing in the soul era.
Hubert Laws is the reason to listen to Glory of Love (1968). Mann had already carved out his niche as a crossover flautist, comfortable in Latin, jazz, and pop contexts. But Laws was younger, hungrier, and on several tracks here he cuts through the arrangement with a sharper edge — not trying to be pretty, just trying to be heard over electric guitar and organ. The pairing works because they're not competing; they're proving a point together. This is R&B territory, not straightahead jazz. Eric Gale and Sonny Sharrock are locked into a rhythm section anchored by Grady Tate on drums and Ron Carter on bass. Roy Ayers adds vibraphone textures that blur the line between soul and jazz. Ray Barretto keeps the percussion jumping. It's a groove record first. Mann's flute gets space to breathe in the mix, but Laws forces the issue — he plays with urgency, occasionally sharp-toned in a way that disrupts the smoothness Mann was known for. The album isn't a masterpiece. It's a solid R&B-jazz hybrid from a session at Rudy Van Gelder's studio in 1967, professionally executed and commercially minded. But Laws' presence elevates it beyond a vanity project. He sounds like he belongs there, like he earned his place alongside an established name.
Who's playing
Ron Carterbass
Earl Maybass
Eric Galeguitar
Sonny Sharrockguitar
Hubert Lawsflute
Herbie Mannflute
Roy Gloverorgan
Grady Tatedrums
Ray Barrettopercussion
Roy Ayersvibraphone
Where next?
More by Herbie Mann
All 36 albums →
The musicians on this record
Uptown Conversation 1969
Ron Carter
plays bass here
plays bass here
Stoned Soul Picnic 1968
Roy Ayers
plays vibraphone here
plays vibraphone here
