Überjam

John Scofield

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 29, 2002)
• Original Release Date: January 29, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Umvd Labels
• ASIN: B00005RTDC
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #80,400 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funky Jazz Grooves From Excellent Fusion Guitarist!, March 15, 2002

By	J. E FELL "boogaloojef" (Carterville, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Uberplaying by the Ubermeister of Modern Jazz Guitar., February 8, 2002

By	John McKinna (Key Largo, Florida United States) - See all my reviews

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.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Is this jazz? Does it matter?, January 15, 2006

By	bostonears (Lincoln, MA United States) - See all my reviews

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.