Customer Reviews

Ear Food

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.)

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.

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.

This is certainly a pleasant sounding album and aptly titled. For those who like to categorize their music one might say that this is smooth jazz on steroids but there is little food for either the soul or the brain in most of the 13 tunes on this CD. Roy Hargrove's playing is near perfect but it appears he demands a little less from his saxophone playing sideman, Justin Robinson who's soloing lapses into near sloppiness at times. However,there are some memorable tunes on this CD."Bring It On Home To Me" is a terrific tune (apparently live) that captures the entire quintet on a high note. "Mr Clean" and the opening track "I'm Not So Sure" are tight cohesive example of the talent that could have made this a better CD. A Hargrove CD that is truly worthy of the 5 stars reveiwers here heaped on "Earfood" is the trio recording with Stephen Scott and Christian McBride,"Parker's Mood"

I love jazz, have listened to it for 40 years, go to a few concerts each year, and have a huge jazz collection. I really go by one thing when I am listening to jazz: "Do I enjoy the music?" Roy Hargrove's album, earfood, is a very enjoyable album. It is straight ahead Jazz with a bit of a Gospel feel. The final cut, "Bring It On Home To Me" is terrific. I have been only somewhat familiar with Hargrove in the past, but this album has led me to go back and pick up some of his earlier albums. If you are wanting a wonderful fresh new jazz album to add to your collection or just wanting to pick up a jazz album for the first time, you can't go wrong with earfood!

Roy Hargrove? Had never heard of him. If and when Roy Hargrove decides to pay a visit to my area I want to have front row seats! This CD IS THE BOMB! It is a masterpiece. Pure, uncut , REAL JAZZ at its best. I recommend anyone who wants to listen to GOOD jazz please get this CD. You WILL NOT be disapointed!

This release from Roy Hargrove satisfies both the ear and brain (and often, feet that want to shuffle). A straight-ahead jazz album, of interesting music, that you will want to play again and again. Highly recommended for the jazz enthusiast.

Got the CD very soon after purchase. Great listening, especially the last cut - Bring it on home to me - an old Sam Cooke song. Tastey!

Absolutely beautiful music. It should get 6 stars. I heard the track "Starmaker" on my cable jazz station and immediately fell in love with it and that was the first I had heard of this CD. I then went to Amazon and read all the reviews and decided there must be something to this. I just got the CD today and played it through and cant agree more with the previous reviews. There is something so elemental, seemingly effortless about the playing here, the close ensemble and complementary way the group interacts that projects the very essence of jazz, of music, period. I'll be playing this one for a long, long time.

Roy Hargrove's new release is innovative and exciting. His new pianist, Gerald Clayton (son of bassist John Clayton) is stunning and he really drives the rhythm section. The song selection is a nice blend of originals and a few standards. This group truly finds the groove. And Roy's playing is, as always, tasteful and clean. Highly recommended.