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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
2008 album recorded by Roy's working quintet, playing a repertoire consisting of songs they play 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. Ear Food presents a richly colored snapshot of an artist reaching his prime, a young player once dubbed ubiquitously as the 'Young Lion', is now head of The Jazz Pride. He has nothing left to prove as his current trumpet sound reveals in his total command of tone that's inflected with subtle emotions and, when needed, pure Hard Bop power. 13 tracks. Universal.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
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.... Read more ›
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.... Read more ›
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
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.
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.
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
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"
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
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!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
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.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By T. Harriman
Format:Audio CD
No denial that this is a very pretty sounding effort from Roy, with some well-crafted tracks among the exceptionally clean mix. One thing I appreciate about his approach these days is surrounding himself with young energetic players to keep him engaged (these guys are tight), and his impeccable playing never disappoints. I would really like to hear this working unit live. But as a reviewer correctly stated, Earfood is best suited as ambiance for preparing a nice dinner. If Roy's intention was to make his music a bit more accessible (as he has stated), then it succeeds comfortably on that level. But it lacks a certain edge and I find myself revisiting 'Tenors of Our Time' and 'Parker's Mood' more often these days.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is a "Tight" Album
Roy Hargrove's Quintet put together an awesome set of tunes on this album. All the arrangements and compositions are unbelievably tight (not what the kids say, but actually,... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Stephen Pickard
4.0 out of 5 stars
EAR FOOD
Nice....easy, cool jazz. I like Hargrove. This CD has him playing like he is enjoing what he's doing. I really like this music. Earfood is just that. Music that tickles your ear.
Published 6 months ago by sam t melville
5.0 out of 5 stars
Can't stop listening
This is one of the best albums I've bought in decades I just can't stop listening to it. Hargrove has a real Jazz soul you can tell he's studied the masters and evolved his own... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Steve B.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Phenomenal !
If you like Jazz then this is one of the best albums available. The Roy Hargrove Quintet consists of amazing musicians who click very well together. Read more
Published on April 11, 2011 by D. Van De Werken
5.0 out of 5 stars
Balanced Jazz, Challeneges you gently
I listen to this album so often that I wake with the tunes in my head. All the songs are great except the last track (bring it home). which I have removed from my plalist. Read more
Published on November 17, 2010 by Patrick Moore LMT BA
5.0 out of 5 stars
wonderful
A wonderful album. If you like Miles Davis, you will like this. The third track, "Strasbourg/St. Denis" is my favorite.
Published on April 25, 2010 by Heidi E. Bollinger
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is a masterpiece
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. Read more
Published on February 6, 2010 by T. Hopson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Roy Hargrove
Another in a continuing series of great jazz CDs from a young player with beautiful tone.
Published on November 5, 2009 by William S. Hughes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Richard
Fantastic---if you like smooth jazz----you will love this!! The track "Bring it home to ME"---they are all great!!! all of them
Published on August 31, 2009 by RICHARD MARTIN
5.0 out of 5 stars
Earfood Satisfies!
This release from Roy Hargrove satisfies both the ear and brain (and often, feet that want to shuffle). Read more
Published on June 25, 2009 by Gary A. Gardner
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