Ear Food
“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?”
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars Earfood – Roy Hargrove Qunitet
Great Jazz with a few really memorable cuts. Well worth the money. I play it while preparing dinner with a glass of wine.
4 Stars Back In Love Again
I broke up with Roy Hargove. After the first RH Factor cd I left him. I started cheating on him with another funky bunch called Soulive then left altogether for artists unknown. Didn’t leave him because of RH Factor in fact I dug those projects. I’m not a “they should stick to straightahead jazz” type, let’s just say I got distracted. To make a long story short, I found my way back home and looked him up and was pleased to get a plate of Ear Food. Let me tell you, I didn’t know what I was missing. Mr. Hargrove and his working band are tight, tight, tight. If you’re a longtime fan/lover or brand new to Roy Hargrove, cop Ear Food.
Below is the track listing and my two cents.
1. I’m Not So Sure – Swinging, a good leadoff cut, songs that sound/feel like this always remind me of NOLA
2. Brown – Smooth a great ensemble cut.
3. Strasbourg/St Denis – There’s something hopeful sounding about this. The energy is positive. Definitely feeling the bass work on this.
4. Starmaker – Nice. In my mind I was coupling this with Maiden Voyage.
5. Joy Is Sorrow Unmasked – ballad
6. The Stinger
7. Rouge – something satisfying about the pauses in this one
8. Mr. Clean – sucker for anything with a heavy bass, however Mr Hargrove lets everyone know he Is running this show. I know this one ILL in a live show.
9. Style – aptly named
10. Divine – yes it is
11. To Wisdom The Prize – beginning, middle, end, all tight
12. Speak Low – this is a whisper in someone’s ear
13. Bring It On Home To Me – bring it home baby!
5 Stars Utterly Intoxicating!
Kudos to the Roy Hargrove quintet for this masterful and superior recording. Hargrove and his “earfood” practitioners have given us thirteen exemplary and accessible tracks that beg to be heard again and again. The quintet’s cohesiveness creates the kind of fervor heard in Kind of Blue, i.e. passionate jazz played by passionate stewards of jazz.
Undeniably exquisite jazz, wholly expressive and accessible, and absolutely beautiful.The rhythm section provides stellar accompaniment for Hargrove’s melodic interpretations, and had this recording been issued during the heyday of jazz, it most certainly would be considered a classic today. Transcendent. Unquestionably. Prepare yourself for unsurpassed beauty. As “jazz goes”, this is a gem of enlightened elegance. Bravo!
5 Stars Great new quintet – “all ears”
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.
5 Stars Roy At His Best !!
Roy is at his best on this one. This music on this cd just grooves, even the ballads are firey, reflective, and passionate. All of the music here draws you in to the moment,leaving you satisfied,yet longing for more. I rated this one five stars, hands down!!! The band is just filled with the future torch carriers of jazz to come.
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