Groove Elation

John Scofield | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 24, 1995)
• Original Release Date: October 24, 1995
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Blue Note Records
• ASIN: B000005H0B
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #114,983 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #42 in Music > Indie Music > Jazz > Jazz Fusion
  • #49 in Music > Indie Music > Jazz > Acid Jazz
  • #64 in Music > Jazz > Jazz Jam Bands

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Organ jazz, Scofield style, December 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Groove Elation (Audio CD)

The guitar/organ combo has made quite a comeback during the 1990's with the emergence of MMW and Joey deFrancisco, and old stalwarts like John McLaughlin jumping on the bandwagon. But leave it to John Scofield to make records, "Hand Jive" (1994) and this one from 1995, that breaks all the rules of the genre.

Sco liberally injects a horn section that includes a tuba and trombone with the standard trumptet and sax, sometimes plays acoustic instead of electric guitar, and often employs a Creole style rhythm, which drumnmer Idris Muhammad is more than qualified to carry out. Most notably, Scofield passes on using any one of a number of Jimmy Smith groove disciples in favor of Larry Goldings. Goldings, perhaps the most cerebral organist since Larry Young, carefully places his chords, making sure Scofield's guitar is front and center.

Other than an unusually subdued opening track "Lazy", Scofield brings his immense talents on the frets to fore, most notably the clinic he conducts on the title song. Pretty consistently good songwriting, too.

This is hardly the only time John Scofield puts an organ in his lineup; he put the late Don Grolnick in the chair for 1989's "Flat Out", and of course, he teams with MMW on the lastest CD, "A Go Go". But this his most sucessful effort in that vein. If you enjoyed the grooves in "A Go Go" but still hungered for something more filling, then I highly recommend this record.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent - one of his best, May 8, 2001

By 

pmanz (New Orleans) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Groove Elation (Audio CD)

Scofield's has put together a fantastic group of musicians and tunes for this rhythmic workout. This album simply does not have a low point or weak track. Most tracks feature a nice, accessible funky groove, hence the title. Sco does slow it down for a few tunes to feature his acoustic guitar, with pleasing results. The horns and organ contribute heavily on several tunes, although there is still room for Sco to stretch out with some great solos on most tracks.

The lone complaint I would have is that the bass is not quite loud enough in the mix. On a funky set like this, I would have liked to hear the bass a bit more prominently.

This album should rank as one of Sco's finest, a fine complement to "a go go" and "bump" which are also highly recommended. For the keen ear, listen carefully for motifs and beats (tracks 4 and 10) that Sco explores again later on his next two funk albums.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FANTASTIC, June 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Groove Elation (Audio CD)

UH HUH !!! What everyone has said here is true.To my knowledge, this is Scofield's best recording to date (6-1- 99), It smoulders and cooks, on a gourmet level sure to please the most jaded palets Elation is what really is happening here, big time. One of the finest jazz records ever! Idris Muhammad on drums works wonders in this totally hot, funky rythm section. Groove Elation!