Ear Food

Roy Hargrove

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 29, 2008)
• Original Release Date: June 2, 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Emarcy
• ASIN: B0016OMFPW
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,965 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

Discovered by Wynton Marsalis, Hargrove made his solo debut in 1990 on Novus/RCA; he made his Verve Records debut in 1994 and had recorded eight albums for the venerable label, including 2006's double release, Distractions featuring the contemporary funk/jazz sounds of the RH Factor, and Nothing Serious, featuring straight ahead jazz by the Roy Hargrove Quintet with special guest Slide Hampton. Roy has collaborated recorded and collaborated with wide range of musicians, from Herbie Hancock, Sonny Rollins, and Michael Brecker, to Diana Ross, Diana Krall, and Kenny Rankin; from John Mayer, D'Angelo, and Erykah Badu, to Common and Gilles Peterson.

Product Description

"This recording was made to bring sonic pleasure to the listener," says trumpeter/bandleader Roy Hargrove about his sublime new album, Earfood, his debut Groovin' High/Emarcy Records. "Simple melodies moving around luscious chords allow [my working quintet] to capture attention and give a feeling of transcendence." Nicknaming the album Sound Nutrition, Hargrove delivers a 13-song collection of nutritious post-bop jazz that includes seven of his originals and six covers that range from the upbeat Cedar Walton crowd-pleaser "I'm Not So Sure" that opens the CD to the New Orleans-styled endsong, Sam Cooke's "Bring It On Home to Me." "This is my favorite way to play," says Hargrove, who, at 38, is one of a handful of jazz artists of his generation who have deservedly attained critical and commercial star status. "I like playing music that's considered classic jazz, especially now when it's hard to find musicians who deal with the jazz tradition. So many people are playing the `new and improved' jazz, which alienates a lot of the audience. I'm not afraid to play the blues and soul, and I like to try to be innovative. But I prefer the standards sound. If you get too far from that, what's the point?"

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE BRILLIANCE OF ROY HARGROVE DISPLAYED IN A MARVELOUS JAZZ SET, July 29, 2008

By	RBSProds "rbsprods" (Deep in the heart of Texas) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Five HUGE Stars!! Jazz music flourishes in the hands of double Grammy-winner Roy Hargrove: hands holding both his flaming trumpet & flugelhorn and his brilliantly arranged themes and compositions. Roy Hargrove continues to showcase his brilliant trumpet virtuosity, open and muted, both of which escape the spell of Miles. This is one of the most approachable and enjoyable CDs of the year: carrying a definite Blue Note 1960's tinge at times (which is to say-timeless) and at other times just plain great modern Hargrove music. Mr Hargrove is assisted by a highly talented group of musicians which includes: Justin Robinson on alto/tenor sax and flute, Gerald Clayton on piano, Danton Boller on bass, and Montez Coleman on drums, all of whom solo brilliantly and interplay in a highly empathetic way. The rhythm section is particularly impressive as are Messrs. Clayton and Robinson, individually. Roy's goal was to produce enjoyable, engaging, unpretentious music and he succeeded on all levels!!

The 'best of the best' begins with Cedar Walton's marvelous "I'm Not So Sure" with Roy blowing hot liquid notes in a great solo and his band-mates likewise soloing assuredly in a song cast with a gospel/funk glow. "Joy Is Sorrow Unmasked" is pure jazz beauty, voiced to perfection and soloed wonderfully. "Rouge" is wonderful unison playing all the way through, somewhat in the area code of Charles Mingus' "Self-Portrait in Three Colors", but still individualistic, and "Divine" has Roy in solo ballad mode on flugelhorn. "The Stinger" is a multi-tiered delight, with Justin Robinson getting off a great solo, showing some Cannonball influences. The funky playful "Strasbourg/St. Denis" has a laid-back beat and superb solos that emulate a bright sunny day and which stay in the mind for days. "Brown" is pushed along by Montez Coleman's rimshots and beautiful unison muted trumpet and sax. In all, a great jazz CD of 14 songs that is one of the best of 2008, so far. Bravo, Roy Hargrove!! My Highest Recommendation. Five Big Stars
(This review is based on an iTunes digital download.
Trivia: Roy Hargrove was 'discovered' by trumpet master Wynton Marsalis.)

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The classic '60s Blue Note line-up bang up to date with blistering soulbop., August 13, 2008

By	contempo.jazz (San Francisco/London) - See all my reviews

Personnel: Roy Hargrove (trumpet, Flugelhorn), Justin Robinson (saxophone), Gerald Clayton (piano), Danton Boller (bass), Montez Coleman (drums).
The virtuoso trumpeter Roy Hargrove returns with his latest album "Ear food", a brightly hued acoustic jazz suite that effortlessly brings together his multi-faceted musical vision, of deep grooves, memorable tunes and superb ensemble playing and solos.
He explains his simple inspirations behind this great new addition to his illustrious catalogue of work: "This recording was made to bring sonic pleasure to the listener. It is my working quintet, playing a repertoire consisting of songs we play live while on tour, mixed in with a few new originals. Simple melodies moving around luscious chords, allow us to capture the attention, and give a feeling of transcendence.
"The cohesive sound of the group is a result of our constant touring, and getting to know one another, on and off of the bandstand. These are key elements in developing a tight sound, and in less time wasted in the studio. My goal in this project is to have a recording that is steeped in tradition and sophistication, while maintaining a sense of melodic simplicity."
With his new album, Hargrove showcases his working quintet presenting his vast affinity for music of many genres and styles.
He has nothing left to prove as his current trumpet sound reveals in his total command of tone thats inflected with subtle emotions and, when needed, pure hard bop power.
Yet as he reveals in his liner notes, he now just wants to play tuneful, melodic music, that reaches out to an audience - wherever they are coming from.
They play a repertoire consisting of songs they perform live while on tour, mixed in with a few new originals.
Simple melodies moving around luscious chords are to the fore, and Roy gets back to his Jazz roots after the "RH Factor" releases.
My highlights: "I'm Not So Sure", with its 60s jazz-funk feelings, the beautiful ballad "Joy Is Sorrow Unmasked", and the fantastistic groover "Mr Clean".
All in all, this is a great CD which showcases a tight yet fluid jazz quintet and Hargrove's impeccable playing.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Roy's return, August 15, 2008

By	rash67 (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

I have listened to Roy Hargrove's work for years. Early, he had great tone and feeling for the music. However the last few albums seemed too experimental and noisy for my tastes. On his latest he has returned to a more lyrical and melodic approach and I think this is a great improvement.

His slower lyrical ballads stand out, whether we are talking about standards like "Speak Low" or some of his original ballads, like "Joy is Sorrow Unmasked" and "Divine" all are played with a lot of feeling.

There was a particular sound to Blue Note jazz in the late 50's to early 60's. Hank Mobley in particular and Lee Morgan sometimes had this breezy moderate tempo sound that seemed, to me at least, full of optimism. Like Mobley's work with The Jazz Messengers, maybe "Nica's Dream" or "Ecaroh". (That type of song disappeared in the turmoil of the late 60's, but that's another story). Anyway that sound, that groove, is here in a number of songs like "Wisdom to the Prize". Again, welcome!

Most of the album is tuneful and lyrical and relaxed, like the music not of a young turk, but of a master. Earfood, and a nurishing meal! Recommended.