Soul Finger (1965)

"This 1965 album marks Lee Morgan's and Freddie Hubbard's final studio appearances as members of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. The set also includes a young John Hicks on piano, bassist Victor Sproles, and veteran saxophonist Lucky Thompson. It may lack the sheer high-energy crackle of some of the earlier Blue Note dates, there is quite a bit to enjoy here. The title tracks kicks off in bluesy style with the three-horn front line in a slightly dissonant intro before moving in a fingerpopping groover. The spunky Latin groove of "Buh's Bossa" offers Blakey's consummate chops accenting the knotty, sometimes snaky melody line with some excellent comp work by Hicks. Thompson's soprano sax makes a beautiful appearance on "Spot Session," a sultry little groover. Highlight of the set is "Freedom Monday," that offers taut hard bop lyric lines, extended harmonies in the front line -- especially between Hubbard and Morgan -- and a smoking Afro-Cuban rhythmic line highlighted by Blakey and Hicks." (Thom Jurek, Allmusic)