November 2004
 After the carefully constructed Bump, Überjam, and Up All Night, it’s
nice to hear John Scofield returning as a leader to flat-out improvisation on his newest
disc, En Route. Scofield’s new trio, which includes the eminent Steve Swallow
on bass and relative youngster Bill Stewart on drums, comes out of the gate with speed and
elegance on Denzil Best’s "Wee." These three players have tremendous
rapport -- Swallow has played with Scofield off and on since the early '70s, and Stewart
has appeared on a number of Scofield’s recordings since 1990. Scofield’s talent
for writing hummable melodies is prominent on "Toogs" and "Hammock
Soliloquy," but nothing on En Route is simple ear candy. Everybody burns.
Robben Ford is often thought of as a blues guitarist, and he’s often featured at blues festivals. While he’s certainly a blues-based player, his style owes as much to the fusion guitarists of the '70s (especially Jeff Beck) as to any other approach. He’s the guitarist in Jing Chi, which includes drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, and bassist Jimmy Haslip, who produced 3D. The chops fly here, but after indulging themselves on the opening track, "Colonel Panic," the three settle in for some searing, melody-driven jazz-rock. Some guests join them, including Robert Cray, who does a smoking vocal and guitar turn on the atmospheric "It’s Nobody’s Fault but Mine." Everybody on 3D is playing at full capacity, and often at full speed, but you won’t mind a bit. Sheryl Bailey is not as well known as the other two guitarists here, but she should be. Bailey has a wonderful ear for melody, and her tone is warm and inviting, yet she plays with power and drive. Bull’s Eye is her fourth disc, her second with Gary Versace and Ian Froman. The three of them expand the concept of the guitar/organ-based trio without sacrificing the soulful swing that makes the format so enjoyable. The live-in-the-studio recording on Bull’s Eye is sharply focused, and the three players show a keen anticipation of each other’s needs. Bailey writes melodies that are intelligent and memorable, and they provide a firm foundation for unpredictable, fiery improvisation by all three musicians. Bailey’s love of melody and her enthusiasm for playing give her music an air of grace and life affirmation that are unique and, in these times, essential. There isn’t another jazz guitarist I watch with more anticipation. Her talent grows with each disc. GO BACK TO: |
John Scofield - EnRoute
Jing
Chi - 3D
The
Sheryl Bailey 3 - Bull's Eye