The RH Factor - Hard Groove (2LP)
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Vocals – D'Angelo, Shelby Johnson, Stephanie McKay, Common (A2), Erykah Badu (B3), Q-Tip (B3), Anthony Hamilton (C1), Renee Neufville (D2)
Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Keyboards, Bass, Percussion, Backing Vocals – Roy Hargrove
Alto Saxophone – Steve Coleman
Bass – Meshell Ndegocello, Pino Palladino, Reggie Washington
Drums – Jason Thomas, Willie Jones III
Electric Organ [Wurlitzer] – D'Angelo
Flute – Karl Denson
Guitar – Spanky (Chalmers Alford), Cornell Dupree
Keyboards – Bernard Wright, Bobby Sparks, James Poyser
Saxophone – Jacques Schwarz-Bart, Keith Anderson
Arranged by Roy Hargrove
Written by Roy Hargrove (A2, B1, B3-4, C2-4, D1-3), Bernard Wright (A1, B3), James Poyser (A2), Eddie Hazel (A3), George Clinton (A3), Reggie Washington (B1), Willie Jones III (B1), Keith Anderson (B2), Q-Tip (B3), Jacques Schwarz-Bart (C1), Chalmers Alford (D1), Pino Palladino (D1), Shelby Johnson (D1), Harvey Mandel (D2), Renée Neufville (D2)
2 LPs, standard sleeve
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g
Record color : black
Speed : 33RPM
Size : 12''
Stereo
Studio
Record Press : Third Man Pressing, Detroit, MI
Label : Verve (Verve by Request series)
Original Label : Verve records
Recorded at Electric Lady Studios, New York City
Engineered and mixed by Russell "The Dragon" Elevado
Original session produced by Roy Hargrove, Jason Olaine, Russell "The Dragon" Elevado
Executive-Producer – Larry Clothier
Reissue produced by Ken Druker
Mastered by Kevin Reeves at East Iris Studios, Nashville, TN
Originally released in May 2003
Reissued in November 2023
Tracks :
Side A:
- Hardgroove
- Common Free Style
- I'll Stay
Side B:
- Interlude
- Pastor "T"
- Poetry
- The Joint
Side C:
- Forget Regret
- Out Of Town
- Liquid Streets
- Kwah / Home
Side D:
- How I Know
- Juicy
- The Stroke
Reviews :
“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 flügelhorn 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.” AllMusic Review by Paula Edelstein
Rating:
AllMusic 4 / 5 , Discogs 4.55 / 5