Track Listing

1. Velera
2. Ms. Garvey, Ms. Garvey
3. My Funny Valentine
4. Mambo For Roy
5. Requiem
6. September In The Rain
7. Every Time We Say Goodbye
8. La Puerta
9. Roy Allan
10. Tschpiso
11. Trust

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12088 in Music
• Released on: 2009-08-24
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .15 pounds
• Running time: 69 minutes

Customer Reviews

Delicious!
If you want to get the dynanics from this excellent big band album buy the CD and play it on a system that will allow the arrangements to shine through in all their layered magnificence. Hyperbole? I don't think so, as this was recorded in two days after the band had played 'live' at the Hollywood bowl, and Hargrove had had time to iron out potential 'glitches' in his arrangements, and it shows, as does the fact that the band were so obviously relaxed as well as rehearsed. Hargrove is, on any case at the top of his game, whether it's on trumpet or flugelhorn, but he certainly doesn't overwhelm the rest of the soloists.The band is a 22 piece with Hargrove and Roberta Gambarini sharing the vocal duties.
This is not an album that give up all its secrets on an initial listening,and indeed three or four listens were needed before I really started to appreciate what was being laid out, especially on the extended and slow burning workout on "Requiem". My other two favourites tracks (at the moment) are "Ms Garvey, Ms Garvey" and "Tschpiso", though I have to say that I also like the arrangement of "September in the Rain", where the build towards the vocals is impressive, and the band get to help out on the vocal chorii.
If you thought 'big band' arrangements had little more to offer this album is the antidote to any such thoughs. It's elegant, swinging and continues to surprise me with further listens.I really do commend this album it is 'delicious'.

Work in progress
Roy Hargrove's 'Emergence' is very much work in progress. The band is competent enough but a clear musical policy is yet to emerge. The first track is downright dull - the producer should have insisted on track one 'hitting the listeners between the eyes' as it were. The first track tends to be the one the radio stations choose and should grab the attention.
Long solos accompanied mainly by the rhythm section are for quartet albums, big band fans want and expect big band writing. As a big band arranger I am aware of the desire to explore 'sounds' with an ensemble - but it is ideas that count.
Nice to see a few standards featured on a contemparary album, the vocal track is particularly interesting - almost a chart plus vocal refrain - just like the old days!
So - work in progress, it will be interesting to see what emerges from 'Emergence' in the coming months.
Bill Charleson

Emergence - The re-emergence of Roy Hargrove.
After being perhaps a little harsh in my reviews of Hargrove's last couple of albums "Earfood" and "Nothing Serious" he emerges here with his best music in ages. With a seventeen piece big band it enables Hargrove to breath new life into some familiar tunes.None more so than "Mambo for Roy" which previously appeared on his "Habana" latin cd and gets that stirring big band treatment here with lots of punchy brass voicings.Pick of the album is "Ms Garvey Ms Garvey" which is just about as rousing a piece of big band music you'll here anywhere."Requiem" is a dark latin tinged piece and by far the longest track on the album at over thirteen minutes.This gives altoist Justin Robinson the chance to take what is probably the best solo of the album brimming with darkness and intensity.There is a lovely version of "My funny Valentine" with Hargrove playing some lovely warm toned Flugelhorn"."Roy Allen" is a funky latin tinged piece with a nice guitar solo and guest vocalist Roberta Gambarini adds some pleasant vocals to "Every time..." and "La Puerta".
Roy spreads himself fairly thinly on the solo front but when he does he hits those high notes with great control and intensity.The arrangements are fairly straight ahead and relatively free of risks but are so well performed you can forgive Roy for a slight lack of adventurousness.The sound quality is nigh on perfect with the crispness and clarity that you need for this kind of music which makes for an excellent all round package.
All in all a really plaesing album to listen to and a welcome return to form for Roy Hargrove.Buy and enjoy.