Roy Hargrove was one of the most gifted trumpeters of the modern jazz age, and Earfood captures him at ease with his quintet. Released in 2008 on EmArcy, the album centers on Hargrove's warm, singing trumpet tone set against a sympathetic rhythm section. The music balances accessibility with real musicianship—these are well-crafted tunes in a post-bop setting that doesn't demand exhausting concentration. It's the kind of record that works equally well as background listening or as something to really focus on. Highly recommended for anyone looking to deepen their jazz listening without venturing too far from melody and groove.