Nothing Serious Personnel:Roy Hargrove: trumpet, flugelhorn; Justin Robinson: alto saxophone, flute; Slide Hampton: trombone; Ronnie Matthews: piano; Dwayne Burno: bass; Willie Jones III: drums. Tracks:Listing: Nothing Serious; A Day in Vienna; Trust; Camaraderie; Devil Eyes; The Gift; Salima's Dance; Invitation.

Roy Hargrove
 Nothing Serious

 Roy Hargrove’s new release, Nothing Serious on Verve records, is nothing short of a gem. Roy is playing at the top of his game these days and this album demonstrates a maturing bop master coming into his own. He’s joined by trombone master Slide Hampton and veteran NY pianist Ronnie Matthews, as well as the fine contributions of Justin Robinson on Alto and Dwayne Bruno on Bass.

 What I love about Roy is the joy that comes shining through his finely constructed bop contoured lines. With this, is a fire that is contagious. Some will argue his playing is not innovative. I say let them! He’s comfortable in the post-bop tradition. He brings a wealth of creative energy and passion to everything he plays. He’s fun to listen to, and his trumpet playing has come full grown and mature. He displays a wonderful sound and demonstrates complete control of his instrument.

I also love the contributions of tunes by many of the members. Day in Vienna by Slide Hampton takes you back to those great sextets by Booker Ervin and Cedar Walton. Slide is still so on top of his game. He’s a great compliment to Hargrove, and the title selection is a nice fit on this disc.

Ronnie Matthews and Dwayne Bruno also contribute nice tunes, with the driving Salima's Dance and Bruno’s Devil Eyes. Matthew’s opens Salima’s Dance with a rich piano texture, followed by a metrical-grooving post-bop original. Everyone takes swingin’ solo’s, full of soul and fire. Bruno’s Devil Eyes is up paced and swings. Robinson has shades of James Spaulding, which seems ever so present in his playing here.

Hargrove adds a couple of originals of his own with his beautiful Trust, the fiery Camaraderie, and the multi-textured The Gift. I really dug Trust. It is simply beautiful. Hargrove sounds so in sync with the Flugelhorn. His sound is rich and his phrases are simply exquisite!

He finishes the set with an up-tempo version of Invitation. He simply rips the hide off this standard. He plays through the bridge of this composition like it was a 12 bar blues in Bb.

You know I had just heard Roy play My Foolish Heart at Marion McPartland’s celebration of her last birthday. (I’m wanting to say it was her 85th) Roy was so in his element, I could not wait to hear this disc. I have to say, it has not disappointed me. It is an entertaining listen. He’s one who has taken the torch of so many of those great post-bop masters and kept this style of jazz in the forefront. This is because he is now one of these masters, playing with an energy and vitality that is captivating and fun to listen to.

 For more information about this disc, please visit:  http://www.vervemusicgroup.com