A Go Go

John Scofield

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 7, 1998)
• Original Release Date: April 7, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B0000069NM
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (80 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #21,348 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #9 in	Music > Jazz > Jazz Jam Bands
  #24 in	Music > Jazz > Acid Jazz
  #70 in	Music > Jazz > Compilations > Bebop & Post-Bop

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

John Scofield's stature as a modern jazz master on electric guitar puts him in a sweet spot for this simmering, sexy collaboration with acid jazz pathfinders Medeski, Martin and Wood, Scofield's taut and spicy lines striking sparks against the soulful grooves pitched by drummer Billy Martin, keyboard colorist John Medeski, and bassist Chris Wood. Far from a cheap commercial shot, the leader's plunge into this reheated '60s style is appropriately redolent of its funk heritage and his own astringent command of sharp lyrical and smart harmonic asides. --Sam Sutherland

Product Description

Japanese Release featuring Two Bonus Tracks: Like it Or Not, and Hope Springs Eternal. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't take it out of my player!, May 3, 2006

By	Colin "the Britalian" (Varese, N. Italy) - See all my reviews

Scofield sounds totally at home in so many musical settings, whether its the (relatively) straightahead live jazz on 2003's "EnRoute" with bassist Steve Swallow and drummer Bill Stewart, or this rollicking funky (and fun) ride from 1998. Here, just when the funk grooves reach meltdown point, Sco and his tighter than tight collaborators Medeski Martin and Wood take it down a few notches and its more of a slow burn. Tunes range in style from the hook-laden, melodic "Jeep on 35" (one member of the band in fact can be heard whistling the melody at a certain point) to the faintly menacing and furiously climactic "Hottentot", which most of my neighbours will also be familiar with by now. Scofield is in a class of his own when it comes to sounding soulful and laid-back and angular and unpredictable all at once (I like to think he'd have hit it off with Thelonious Monk had they belonged to the same era); I think that comes also from the fact that he's not an out-and-out speed demon, trying to bludgeon you into submission with a flurry of notes. If he were a boxer, he'd be one of those ones that wear down their opponent by circling them and picking them off with well-timed, unpredictable combinations and the occasional sneaky blow below the belt. In total control. Great stuff, though definitely a "grower" - I wasn't totally blown away at first myself, so give it a few spins!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scofield + MMW = Excellent music, May 26, 2002

By	"furthur_57" (Belleville, Ontario, CANADA) - See all my reviews

My first introduction to Scofield was his most recent album "Uberjam". After grooving to that album for a few weeks, I decided this was a guy I needed to better represent in my Jazz collection. So, I did a bit o' research.
Now I've loved Medeski Martin and Wood for a long time - they are by far the best Acid Jazz/Funk/Groove trio I've ever listened too, and I own a number of their albums, and they seldom leave my CD player. So when I discovered they were running backup to Scofield's funky guitar licks and rips, on John's album "A Go Go", I was immediately interested.
Now I'm not one to get too picky, but the album should be titled, "John Scofield and MMW - A Go Go", because it can't be denied that these two separate musical entities are perfectly complementing each other. I never would have believed that adding a guitar, even one of equal trip-potential, would have so benefited the stylings of MMW. And to his credit, Scofield does a marvellous job of leading the sound. This is a perfect harmony of styles and improvisations - the sound that this foursome jams out is incredible. If you are a fan of the acid jazz/funk style, or of Scofield, or of MMW - then buy this CD. It's the best grouping of talent, and the best result of said grouping, that I've ever heard. This is a seamless fusion of a rare and perfectly matched musical union.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scofield and MMW!!! What More Could You Ask For?, January 24, 2001

By	[e-mail] (Canberra, Australia) - See all my reviews

I discovered this album only recently and have never looked back. John Scofield has a distinct sound and feeling that is refreshing to say the least. Some may best describe it as "rough" or "edgy", however I find it to be unique and intriguing.

On this particular studio date, Scofield is joined by Medeski, Martin and Wood, who provide the perfect setting for Scofields guitar work. The result is a funky jazz album of high calibre, which never loses the listeners interest. Tracks including Boozer, Jeep On 35 and Chank are amazingly funky thanks to the superior drumming of Billy Martin, whilst Southern Pacific has a more percussive feeling. There is not a single track on this disc that can be considered to be of a lesser standard. This high quality consistancy is welcome, as often MMW tend to adventure into realms that move beyond the groove and into the obscure.

If your after funky jazz in a small group environment, then you will be hard pushed to find any better an example than "A Go Go". This CD is thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish, remaining deceptively simple in its musical complexity, whilst delivering some truly first class contemporary jazz.