As was observed in a recent review of another record featuring Scofield (Solar, featuring Abercrombie and Scofield, JJI November ’83), he did not make his name by playing bebop, though that release showed he is quite capable of doing so. Scofield is where he is today because he is an effective musician, and above all, a distinctive voice. Mainstreaming is only one of his talents – his musical vocabulary also includes other popular American musical forms, as this new record illustrates.
Those familiar with Scofield’s Who’s Who album (Arista AN 3018), will note strong similarities here. The spirit of James Brown informs the rhythm section, and it’s clear that Miles Davis’s current attitudes have been noted, because most of the medium to up tunes here are based on in-the-pocket funk grooves, supplied by Scofield’s DMX bass synthesiser, and firmly seconded by Steve Jordan’s crisp drumming. However, the comparison with Miles’ band ends there, because harmonically and melodically, Electric Outlet is much less stark than Decoy.
In between the funk, there are two rock ballad pieces, Thanks Again and the country flavoured Best Western, while King For A Day begins as a country blues (with Scofield’s best Chet Atkins licks) before migrating northwards to become a 12-bar in the raunchy, urban style of the Chicago school, with Scofield adopting the guise of BB, and Peter Levin turning his synthesiser into a Hammond organ for complete authenticity.
Nobody overindulges in solos on Electric Outlet, but both horn sidemen get their say. Sanborn sounds different on Pick Hits, seeming to play down his famous crying sound and offering a more muted, more thoughtful, but nonetheless effective solo. Trombonist Ray Anderson follows up with a rasping vocal-like excursion.
Scofield is typically discreet and intelligent throughout, and his tasteful approach might even soften a few old reactionaries. Congratulations to Gramavision for their faith and insight.
Discography
Just My Luck; Big Break; Best Western; Pick Hits (22.20) – Filibuster; Thanks Again; King For A Day; Phone Home (18.21)
John Scofield (g/DMX bass); Steve Jordan (d); David Sanborn (as); Ray Anderson (tb); Peter Levin (syn). Recorded New York, April/May 1984.
(Gramavision GR 8405)