The RH Factor

Distractions is jam-packed with new jams from The RH Factor. From the old-school vibe of "Crazy Race" to the down-and-dirty instrumental "Kansas City Funk," this much-anticipated disc grooves with an organic funk/soul sound. It is yet another world that Hargrove lives in comfortably, and he once again shows off his talents as a composer. He wrote or co-wrote nearly all of Distractions' nine compositions including "Can't Stop" and the title track, an extended jam captured here in four parts.? (Hargrove wrote most of the horn arrangements on both discs.)

Vocalist Renee Neufville (formerly of the R&B duo Zhan) is also featured throughout Distractions as a singer, keyboardist, and songwriter. Her "On the One" is a magical retro tour and the ultra-funky "Hold On" (co-written with Hargrove) is a pure taste of P-Funk delight. Hargrove again calls in friend and collaborator D'Angelo for this RH Factor outing. The R&B star wrote, produced, and sings the track "Bull****," which also features backing vocals by Hargrove.

The largesse of sound created by the RH Factor comes from the band's lineup of two drummers (Willie Jones III and Jason 'JT' Thomas), two bass players (Lenny Stalworth and Reggie Washington), one guitar player (Todd Parsnow), three keyboard players (Charles McCambell, Bobby Sparks and Neufville), and two saxophone players (Keith Anderson and special guest David "Fathead" Newman). Hargrove plays both trumpet and flugelhorn here.

The RH Factor's Distractions was produced by Hargrove and engineered and mixed by Russell "The Dragon" Elevado.