Earfood

ROY HARGROVE: Earfood
EmArcy, 2008

MODERN BOP – Classic (but fresh) jazz from a top trumpeter and his working band; these are tight, catchy, grooving songs that don’t wander into navel-gazing or overstay their welcome. It’s an unabashedly populist disc, a little heavy on the ballads but highly enjoyable.

Fo’s Picks: 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 13

1. 5:46 – upbeat, soulful groove with a gospel touch; solos in the pocket
2. 4:30 – relaxed ballad: a cool, steady glide with a little r&b flavor
3. 4:38 – summery ‘70s groove with a great lick and some sweet solos
4. 7:54 – hushed, reverent ballad: calm yet touching, lyrical solos
5. 4:46 – intimate jazz-club ballad, sweet ensemble & horn solo
6. 4:57 – snappy postbop stroll: crisp solos, steady-swinging drums
7. 2:46 – lovely autumn ballad, short but evocative, no solos
8. 5:51 – tough-guy strut: flashing trumpet, serious sax, piano clusters
9. 6:35 – classy little stroll: uptown flair, nice horn work
10. 5:10 – slow, tender ballad: a little sadness, a little prayer, a lot of love
11. 5:43 – classic Larry Willis tune: enigmatic and lovely, deliberate pacing
12. 5:16 – standard ballad slowed waaay down for an aching quality
13. 3:00 – live recording, a New Orleans gospel/soul sound

[ Fo ] 24-Aug-08