SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: DAVE GUY – RUBY

DAVE GUY
RUBY
BIG CROWN RECORDS

Perhaps best known as the trumpet player for Menahan Street Band, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, and The Roots, Dave Guy has released his debut solo album, Ruby. The incredibly lean 12-song collection feels as authentically inspired to jazz and hip-hop equally, while carrying the signature sounds of the many artists that line his impressive resume.

Opening with “7^th Heaven”, a sleek, synth-driven beat accented by highly rhythmic horns and a harmonized lead trumpet line. For fans of Guy’s past work, the Menahan/Dap-Kings sound is immediately present, signifying how critical his horn remains in crafting the sounds of both bands. “7^th Heaven” throws everything Guy’s got as he crafts a beat around a reoccurring ostinato, while treating the structure of the song like a jazz standard with a clear A and B section, allowing for a motif, along with a piano and closing trumpet solo. “Footwork” sees the album continue into a Latin-inspired theme with loose brushes allowing for the drums to seem compressed without losing any sense of intensity of groove. Once again, Guy’s trumpet soars as he ebbs and flows between the main melody and lead lines. The opening series of songs finds a sense of balance with the highly melodic and smooth “I’ll Follow You”.

Throughout Ruby, Guy leads the listener for the distinctive tone of his trumpet across a wide range of influences. “Still Standing” is an excellent rendition of the Menahan sound, delivering a cinematic energy that would sound at home in a Tarantino opening montage while “Dave Wants You” embraces an atmospheric, almost ambient style with an airy beat and an off-kilter feel. “Morning Glory” follows a drunken, J Dilla-inspired shuffle to be countered by a virtuosic trumpet solo and “The Green Door” emits the vibe of a smoky, after-hours speakeasy. Truly, every song feels like a highlight. With only two tracks exceeding the three-min mark, Guy gets straight to the point on each song, establishing main lines that are as strong as the solos, which are kept as short as the changes are fast, giving the listener precisely what they want in what without any filler.

Ruby is an all too brief moment that allows for Guy to provide a remarkable snapshot of his artistry. As a band leader, his compositions revel in a level overt simplicity that is, in fact, far more nuanced that you would assume upon first listen. Harmonically, melodically, and rhythmically, every song demonstrates a refined pallet of musicality, one that chooses the sublime over flash, demonstrating a greater level in taste rarely seen on a debut album. As a performer, Guy can stand among the most vital trumpet players of our time as he seamlessly blends tradition, with contemporary, with a stunning performance that oozes passion. Ultimately, what makes Guy’s work most impressive is his ability to craft an album that you can easily hear your favourite MC spit over, while still including just enough jazz indulgences; ultimately making Ruby as unique as it is impressive.

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