Track Listing

1. I'll Take Les
2. Dark Blue
3. Do Like Eddie
4. She's So Lucky
5. Checkered Past
6. 7th Floor
7. Golden Daze
8. Don't Shoot The Messenger
9. Whip The Mule
10. Out Of The City

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #25108 in Music
• Released on: 1994-08-09
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
This 1993 recording is one of John Scofield's best, with a band that adds the soul-jazz veteran Eddie Harris to a group of the guitarist's regular associates, Larry Goldings on keyboards, Dennis Irwin on bass, Bill Stewart on drums, and Don Alias on percussion. Perhaps it's the mix of the familiar rhythm section with the novelty of playing with Harris, a player with a similar penchant for inside funk, outside approaches, and altered sounds, but Scofield is unusually animated. He digs into the rhythmic grooves and develops extended ideas throughout, most notably on "I'll Take Les" and "Do Like Eddie," tributes to the onetime partnership of Harris and pianist McCann. Goldings is outstanding on piano as well as organ, and everyone involved contributes to making this a high point in contemporary soul jazz. --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews

Very Funky Jazz!
Very funky recording, a soul-jazz throwback to the music of saxophonist Eddie Harris -- who as a guest star on the CD makes the connection even more obvious. The organ/guitar grooves are terrific!

Not just for jazz fans, I've had friends who don't like jazz say they like this CD. Even more accessible is the CD Scofield a la Go Go with Medeski Martin & Wood. This CD is funkier, that one more poppy.

You don't have to be a Scofield fan to love this!
I admit it -- not all of Scofield's work is to my taste -- some of it is a bit esoteric and left brained. But this CD has got to appeal to anyone who just loves a solid groove and a love of the blues. It is warm and funky and soulful, as well as intricate. If you admired Eddie Harris/Les McCann in the 1960's/70's (think "Swiss Movement"),think of this as a very contemporary update. The CD combines the Harris/McCann signature propulsive eigth note groove with some very tasty sax and guitar unisons. Add drumeister Bill Stewart's work (which I'm still vainly trying to transcribe and play) and this thing just sings. Highly recommended, even if you don't consider yourself a hardcore jazz fan or Scofield fan. This disc will make you bounce down the street for the first few weeks you listen.

HAND JIVE/HAND'S DOWN
SHORT & SWEET..HAND JIVE IS SCOFIELD AT HIS BEST, HAND'S DOWN.
I'LL TAKE LES HIS TRIBUTE...I'LL TAKE SCOFIELD ANYDAY.
BUY THIS ALBUM, A MASTERWORK