Ear Food [CD]

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. This new album was 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.