Hard Groove

by The RH Factor

Overview

A new musical vision for ace jazz trumpeter Roy Hargrove has manifested itself in the form of Hard Groove. This neo-soul/jazz project showcases Erykah Badu, Common, D'Angelo, Marc Cary, and jam band icon saxophonist Karl Denson on a 14-track set that is laden with funk, groove, freestyle rap poetry, and sultry hip-hop/R&B mood swings. Hargrove's interesting horn and keyboard improvisations stem from extensive knowledge of each musician's work and, perhaps even more importantly, from close personal friendships developed as an underground club jam session warrior in N.Y.C. He also plays fluegelhorn and percussion, and adds background vocals on several compositions. Opening with "Hardgroove," the set eases into a groove that is skillfully combined with Hargrove's meticulous riffs and segues into the band's free interpretation of an all-out jam session. "Common Free Style" is just that, a free rap session crammed with intimate details. This team-up works, and Common's prose style is exemplary in his choice of words and inspiring atmosphere. As one of the ladies who sings with the band, Grammy-winning Erykah Badu presents a valuable addition to the literature of hip-hop and jazz on several levels. On "Poetry," her rap is an entertaining and unpretentious chronicle of knowing the way to go in life, recounted with honesty and sincerity. Overall, Roy Hargrove has evolved as a hipper version of himself and given his listeners an entirely new musical direction than that heard on his Grammy-winning release Habana or his sensuous ballad recording Moment to Moment. Hard Groove is simply an exploration of his multidimensional musical attributes and his belated recognition of years of "open-eared moonlighting." In any case, the ultra-hip trumpeter manages not to alienate his die-hard jazz fans by intersecting with many of the icons of hip-hop, R&B, and neo-soul. Highly recommended. ~ Paula Edelstein

Product Details

Release Date:	06/06/2025
Label:	Universal Japan
UPC:	4988031756867

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The RH Factor   Primary Artist
Renee Neufville   Primary Artist,Vocals,Guest Artist
Erykah Badu   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Vocals
Anthony Hamilton   Primary Artist,Vocals,Guest Artist
Q-Tip   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Vocals
Shelby Johnson   Primary Artist
Karl Denson   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Flute
D'Angelo   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Vocals,Wurlitzer,Vocals (Background)
Common   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Vocals
Stephanie McKay   Primary Artist,Vocals,Guest Artist
Meshell Ndegeocello   Guest Artist,Bass
Steve Coleman   Guest Artist,Sax (Alto)
Keith Anderson   Saxophone,Sax (Alto),Sax (Tenor)
Pino Palladino   Bass
Roy Hargrove   Bass,Piano,Trumpet,Flugelhorn,Percussion,Vocals (Background),Keyboards
Reggie Washington   Bass,Bass (Acoustic)
Daniel Moreno   Percussion
Dontae Winslow   Drum Machine,Finger Snaps,Vocals (Background)
Willie Jones III   Drums
Keith Loftis   Sax (Tenor)
Marc Cary   Wurlitzer
Tony Suggs   Organ (Hammond)
Craig Glanville   Drum Machine
Donte Winslow   Drum Machine,Finger Snaps,Vocals (Background)
Shelly Johnson   Vocals,Guest Artist
John Arthur Lee   Bass
Chalmers Alford   Guitar
Maurice Brown   Vocals (Background),Trumpet
G. Craig "Butter" Glanville   Drums,Vocals (Background)
Jason Thomas   Drums,Vocals (Background)
Bernard Wright   Piano,Keyboards,ARP Synthesizer,Organ (Hammond),Vocals (Background)
Bobby Sparks   Clavinet,Keyboards,Fender Rhodes,ARP Synthesizer,Organ (Hammond)
Kwaku Kwaakye Obeng   Percussion
Cornell Dupree   Guitar
Jacques Schwarz-Bart   Flute,Saxophone,Sax (Tenor),Sax (Soprano),Guitar (Acoustic)
Gene Lake   Drums
James Poyser   Piano,Keyboards,Fender Rhodes,Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Rudy Guiterrez   Illustrations
Keith Anderson   Composer
Jacques Swarcbart   Composer
Pino Palladino   Composer
Roy Hargrove   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Q-Tip   Composer
Kelly Pratt   Release Coordinator
George Clinton   Composer
Steve Mandel   Composer,Engineer
Stephen Jones   Composer
Jason Olaine   Producer
Renee Neufville   Composer
Esantis Washington   Composer
Shelly Johnson   Composer
Hollis King   Design,Art Direction
Hans Neleman   Photography
John Newcott   Release Coordinator
Chalmers Alford   Composer
Sachico Asano   Design
Bernard Wright   Composer
B.J. Wright   Composer
Larry Clothier   Executive Producer
Chris Gehringer   Mastering
Jacques Schwarz-Bart   Composer
Eddie Hazel   Composer
Russell Elevado   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Funkadelic   Composer
Johnny Mandel   Composer
James Poyser   Composer
Lonnie Lynn   Composer