Diamond in the Rough is the first studio album trumpeter Roy Hargrove, his debut as leader; it was recorded in December 1989 and released on April 13, 1990, on the Novus/RCA label. The album features close musical compatriots of Hargrove: saxophonists Antonio Hart and Ralph Moore, pianists Geoffrey Keezer and John Hicks, bassists Charles Fambrough and Scott Colley, and drummers Al Foster and Ralph Peterson Jr.
Scott Yanow, writing for AllMusic, was positive of the album, stating: "Trumpeter Roy Hargrove's debut as a leader found him occasionally recalling Freddie Hubbard but already sounding fairly original in the hard bop genre. [...] Hargrove shows restraint and maturity in his lyrical ballad statement while featuring his strong bop chops on most of the other selections." However, he continued that "The one fault to the CD is that the performances and solos are often a little too brief". The Rolling Stone Album Guide wrote of the album: "[it] offers outstanding playing and clean technique and tone; the compositions by Hargrove and Keezer stand up surprisingly well in the company of Thelonious Monk, Benny Golson and Rodgers and Hammerstein [<nowiki/>sic]." Gary Giddins, for Entertainment Weekly, commented: "Hargrove's eagerly awaited debut album, though flawed, is an event. It's a shade overproduced â restrained performances, short solos â but his talent is unmistakable. [...] Throughout a program that includes jazz classics, fetching originals, and a signature Bing Crosby Ballad ('Easy to Remember'), he demonstrates a natural musicality, warm timbre, savvy dynamics, and surprising composure."
All tracks are written by Roy Hargrove except where noted.
Music
Production