Like his most famous employer, Miles Davis, John Scofield has had his own classic band eras. With Bill Stewart, Marc Johnson, and Joe Lovano he used his distinctive playing and compositional skills to bring a freshness to... more » the sound of the straight-ahead jazz quartet; and on his 1987 Pick Hits Live, he and cohorts Dennis Chambers, Gary Grainger, and Robert Aries used a piercing intelligence to temper fusion's athletics. His more recent funk efforts have suffered; some from the sensitive but "grease"-deficient work of Larry Goldings and some from a general excess of politeness. Bump was an interesting, if tepid, foray into modern hip-hop grooves, but hitting the road in front of the Phish/MMW crowd has forged that sound and his road band into something to be reckoned with. It is no accident that Uberjam is credited to the John Scofield Band; the title tune was created by the members over three years of road dates. Far from being a pastiche, it demonstrates the cohesive unit that this group has become. Whether it is rhythm-guitar wiz Avi Bortnick adding Indian samples to Jesse Murphy's dub bass on "Acidhead," or former Average White Band drummer Adam Deitch laying in the phat-ist of phat grooves, it is apparent that Scofield has come up with another classic ensemble--one well equipped to take jazz into the 21st century. --Michael Ross« less
Like his most famous employer, Miles Davis, John Scofield has had his own classic band eras. With Bill Stewart, Marc Johnson, and Joe Lovano he used his distinctive playing and compositional skills to bring a freshness to the sound of the straight-ahead jazz quartet; and on his 1987 Pick Hits Live, he and cohorts Dennis Chambers, Gary Grainger, and Robert Aries used a piercing intelligence to temper fusion's athletics. His more recent funk efforts have suffered; some from the sensitive but "grease"-deficient work of Larry Goldings and some from a general excess of politeness. Bump was an interesting, if tepid, foray into modern hip-hop grooves, but hitting the road in front of the Phish/MMW crowd has forged that sound and his road band into something to be reckoned with. It is no accident that Uberjam is credited to the John Scofield Band; the title tune was created by the members over three years of road dates. Far from being a pastiche, it demonstrates the cohesive unit that this group has become. Whether it is rhythm-guitar wiz Avi Bortnick adding Indian samples to Jesse Murphy's dub bass on "Acidhead," or former Average White Band drummer Adam Deitch laying in the phat-ist of phat grooves, it is apparent that Scofield has come up with another classic ensemble--one well equipped to take jazz into the 21st century. --Michael Ross
Funky Jazz Grooves From Excellent Fusion Guitarist!
J. E FELL | Carterville, Illinois United States | 03/16/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"John Scofield was a former member of Miles Davis' and Billy Cobham's bands and he shares his mentors' taste for creating great jazz/funk fusion albums. Along with another ex-Miles Davis guitarist Mike Stern and Charlie Hunter they are three of the best contemporary jazz/fusion guitarists today. This disk follows in the footsteps of Scofield's major label releases such as "Groove Elation", "Hand Jive" "A Go Go" and "Bump". Like his "A Go Go" disk this disk also features groove master John Medeski on keyboards. However, with this album Scofield incorporates both sampling and rap ("I Brake 4 Monster Booty") into his arsenal. While the sampling is effective and interesting. The rap doesn't do much for me. I would have enjoyed the track just as much if it were strictly instrumental. Scofield also effectively adds an Eastern feel to the opening track "Acidhead". This attempt is highly entertaining and makes this the standout track on the disk. Think of a funkier version of Shakti with sampling. I hope he utilizes this style some more in the future. Other favorites include "Offspring", "Uberjam" which interpolates "Blue Moon" and "Snap Crackle Pop". The band play very well as a unit and the drumming of Adam Deitch is both funky and complex. It perfectly complements Scofield's jagged guitar style. Scofield is also equally adept at playing acoustically. Parts of this disk remind me of some of Jeff Beck's finer jazz/fusion moments. Fans of Medeski Martin and Wood and Soulive will enjoy this disk. All in all another fine disk from John Scofield. I can hardly wait to hear how his brand of jazz/rock/funk fusion will evolve next."
Uberplaying by the Ubermeister of Modern Jazz Guitar.
John McKinna | Key Largo, Florida United States | 02/08/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Praise Jaysuz! Sco' is staying with the groove-funk thing for a third album. He does so much with this deceptively simple form, is so inventive and unpredictable (but always musical), that it's a toss-up what's going to wear out first: your frontal lobes from analyzing the tasty, complex runs he plays, or your fingerprints from snapping along in time. And check out the flute on the second cut. Shades of Sam Most, Eric Dolphy, and Roland Kirk. Great supporting players here. It's nice to see that John Scofield, having proven to the neo-traditionalist "jazz intelligentsia" that he can play postmodern bebop (TIME ON MY HANDS,GRACE UNDER PRESSURE) has the stones to ignore the critical vapouring over the "commerciality" of his funk music and just play what challenges him and makes his loyal listeners happy. Take my word for it: don't heed what huffy traditionalists and cranky juvenile reviewers say. At John's stage of the game, anything he does is worthwhile, and UBERJAM is modern Sco' at his BillyCobhamMilesDavisBlueMatterBumpin' BEST! Buy it, marvel at his skill, and enjoy."
Is this jazz? Does it matter?
bostonears | Lincoln, MA United States | 01/15/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I first heard this disc cranking loud in a music store that caters to the studded leather 20-ish crowd who listen to Korn and make the annual pilgrimage to Ozzfest. The clientele and the employees in the store were all groovin' to the funky beat. I start bopping along to, then all of sudden I think, "Wait a minute, I recognize that guitar. That's John Scofield! What the heck are these kids doing listening to JAZZ?" Then I thought, "They don't even know it's jazz. They all think it's some kind of new heavy metal." And they're right. That's how hard it is to categorize this recording. But it doesn't matter. Uberjam kicks booty. Next thing you know, those kids will be checking out Bitch's Brew and thinking they've discovered new music. And they'll be right."
"This was the first Scofield album I purchased. Apparently, I was lucky. I've heard he has some real hits and misses - well, this album is definitely a hit.He's off the drugs, but this album complements their use perfectly. It's a sonic blend of world sounds, funk, groove, and all-out jamming. If you're a fan of Medeski, Martin, and Wood, or Richard 'Groove' Holmes, or Jimmy Smith, you're going to love this album. Scofield has all the talent of Pat Metheny, but with a little more umph.Each track on the album complements the one after it perfectly. You can tell that Scofield isn't trying too hard - he isn't forcing the sound. The very fact that the group here isn't taking itself too seriously, (and by the way, the other players on this disc do a wonderful job of grooving around Sco's guitar), can be heard in the music, and does wonders for the overall feel of the album. This is music you can groove to for a long time, with plenty of light scratches and well-placed electronic samples that are just enough *but not too much* to add spice to the sound without washing out the real art that is taking place.Uberjam is the perfect title for such a perfectly groovy, funky offering from the guitar great, John Scofield."
An excellent CD
Andrew Kelly | San Francisco, CA United States | 04/05/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I always get a big smile when old school jazz heads disregard an artist's foray into new and "hip" territory. Blah, blah, listen to some Joe Pass, blah, blah. I can only imagine what was said about Miles during his career. Great musicians are constantly evolving....and Scofield sprouted legs on this album."