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 Gaze
8. Don't Shoot the Messenger
9. Whip the Mule
10. Out of the City

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #47195 in Music
• Published on: 1994-01-01
• Released on: 1994-08-09
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .20 pounds

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

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.

Hidden Gem
Sco is alway doing something interesting but one doesn't always like it (even if it's good - e.g. "Quiet" a few years ago). This album, however, is not only very good but also almost impossible not to like (at least given a moderate exposure to, and taste for, jazz). It's a great "gotta work in the evening album" and "friends over for dinner" too. Eddie Harris on sax is in top form - a real cooker. In short, it won't make many people's desert island lists but it belongs on most of their bookshelves. Highly recommended.

My Favorite Scofield Album
I can't beleive that only two people have reviewed this outstanding collection! This disk features some fine ensemble playing and great, gritty soloing by Scofield and the "Electrifying" Eddie Harris. Anyone who got onboard with latter Scofield Cd's like A-Go-Go would be well advised to check this one out.