Roy Hargrove formed the side group The RH Factor in 2003 as a way to express himself outside of the jazz realm, but the group's development has made it more than a passing fancy. And with Distractions, The RH Factor makes its statement as one of the great self-contained R&B groups of our time, masterfully bridging the gap between jazz, hip-hop and straight up funk. From the Parliament-like "A Place" to the smoother "Family" and "On the One" and the fantastic "Hold On" and "Crazy Race," this is a disc that would have fit in 1980 and works even better in 2006. The band is flawless and former Zhane singer Renee Neufville adds the finishing touches on a disc that should be a treat for both funk and jazz lovers. One of the best discs you'll hear this year.
By Chris Rizik
