Roy Hargrove & Mulgrew Miller: In Harmony

Editor's Choice

Rating: ★★★★

Record and Artist Details

Musicians:

Roy Hargrove (t, flhn)

Label:

Resonance

July/2021

Media Format:

2 CD, 2 LP, DL

Catalogue Number:

HCD-2060

RecordDate:

Rec. 15 January 2006 and 9 November 2007

Though the selling point is perhaps that both Hargrove and Miller departed well before their time (Roy in 2018 aged 49, Mulgrew in 2013 aged 57), you quickly forget about this when listening to the marvellous music within. These relaxed duos were done live in front of enthusiastic audiences, and apparently with no rehearsal beyond the performers’ longstanding awareness of each other's abilities in many previous and varied situations. Despite Hargrove's associations with many different areas of Black music, and Miller's proven versatility, this is a straight-down-the-middle programme of song standards (from ‘What Is This Thing Called Love’ to ‘Just In Time’) and a few jazz classics (two Monks, two Gillespies, ‘Fungii Mama’) plus a down-home slow blues, also downloadable as a single. Hargrove is melodically appealing at all times, often deliberately subdued, but sometimes building to a climax that grows organically from Miller's stimulating backings; the pianist's own solo work also flows from these backings, probably his most impressive unaccompanied playing on record. Resonance's hefty booklet is filled with no fewer than 15 lengthy reminiscences by witnesses, from Sonny Rollins to rapper Common. A couple of tiny quotes will enhance my own endorsement: Ron Carter notes that Miller “knew how to use the pedals of the piano, which is kind of a lost art these days”, while Chris Botti says of Hargrove: “He's so musical without being macho.”

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