The RH Factor

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

The RH Factor was the group with which the American trumpeter Roy Hargrove linked jazz with funk, soul and hip hop in the early 2000s. The name refers to his own initials. Hargrove came from jazz and had already proved himself as one of the best-known trumpeters of his generation, but with this band he moved in a more urban and danceable direction.

Music and breakthrough

The group released three albums: Hard Groove in 2003, Strength in 2004 and Distractions in 2006, which appeared on Verve Records. On Distractions Hargrove plays trumpet and flugelhorn and also sings himself. The band was made up of a flexible team of musicians, including Renée Neufville on vocals and keyboards, the saxophonist David Fathead Newman and keyboard players who played Wurlitzer, Rhodes, Moog and Clavinet. The soul singer D'Angelo sings on one of the tracks.

Influence

Critical opinion was divided. Some reviewers found Distractions a deeply satisfying, relaxed album with an urban soul feel; others found it crossover that was neither really jazz nor really funk. It is precisely that tension that makes the band interesting: The RH Factor shows how jazz musicians at the beginning of this century searched for a new connection with the soul and the groove of their own time.

Listening

Discography

Studio albums

• 2003Hard Groove
• 2004Strength
• 2006Distractions

In School of Rock

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• After Hours: Session 4^NL Reader