John Scofield - 1994 "Hand Jive"

Guitarist John Scofield and tenor saxophonist Eddie Harris make a very complementary team on this upbeat set of funky jazz, for both have immediately identifiable sounds and adventurous spirits. Along with a fine rhythm section that includes Larry Goldings on piano and organ, Scofield and Harris interact joyfully on ten of the guitarist's originals.

This 1994 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.

Absolutely my favorite Scofield album, and one of my favorite groovin' jazz albums of all time. I come back to this one often, and not only because it has one of my favorite drummers (Bill Stewart) and a high school friend of mine (Larry Goldings) playing on it. This is top-notch playing, Scofield at his best (imho), fantastic session guys, and while it keeps some of the Scofield "angularity," it's a lot more fluid and groove-oriented than some of his offerings. Most of this one feels as if it comes more from the gut than the head, and that's a good thing.

Having just seen Scofield with Mike Stern and the Hollowbody Band (also featuring Bill Stewart), I have a renewed appreciation for this gem - they closed the show with Do Like Eddie, my favorite track from the disc. You will have that head melody in your head for days, I all but guarantee!

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.

Track listing:

All compositions written by John Scofield.

1. I'll Take Les (6:58)
2. Dark Blue (7:37)
3. Do Like Eddie (8:06)
4. She's So Lucky (5:50)
5. Checkered Past (5:28)
6. 77th Floor (4:45)
7. Golden Daze (7:33)
8. Don't Shoot The Messenger (6:10)
9. Whip The Mule (5:37)
10. Out Of The City (5:18)

Total time 63:22

Personnel:

    John Scofield - guitar
    Eddie Harris - tenor saxophone
    Larry Goldings - piano, organ
    Dennis Irwin - bass
    Bill Stewart - drums
    Don Alias - percussion