1. Soul Finger
2. Buh's Bossa
3. Spot Session
4. Freedom Monday
5. A Quiet Thing (From Flora the Red Menace)
6. The Hub
Art Blakey - Drums
Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard - Trumpets
Gary Bartz - Alto sax
Lucky Thompson - Tenor sax, soprano sax
John Hicks - Piano
Victor Sproles - Bass
Recorded in 1965
This is excellent music. Everyone is giving 100%, which for Art Blakey's
bands was normal: he would settle for nothing less! For me the star
of the session was Lucky Thompson; he plays superbly throughout and
his own composition Spot Session is the best of all. Having
said this, there is not a bad track on the album, both trumpet players
are inspired and Art drives the rhythm section as only he could throughout.
The only possible criticism is that the playing time is rather brief,
but as it was re-mastered from vinyl, there was nothing else worthy
of inclusion. But enjoy what there is: it really is amazing for 1965.
Don Mather
CD Reviews
Verve 602517966390
