Full Review

John Scofield, Uncle John’s Band Review

John Scofield’s Uncle John’s Band: The Genre-Blending Journey Through Jazz’s Past and Future

John Scofield’s Uncle John’s Band is an ambitious jazz project released under the ECM Records label. Comprising fourteen tracks of both Scofield originals and well-crafted arrangements, the virtuosic trio of Scofield on guitar, Vicente Archer on acoustic bass, and Bill Stewart on drums takes the listener on a musical odyssey.

“How Deep” exemplifies the album’s capacity for genre fusion, channeling modern swing jazz through Scofield’s unique tone and playing style. On the opposite end, “TV Band” offers a groove-centered atmosphere, featuring solos from each trio member that highlight their individual artistry. Stewart and Archer establish a rhythmic pocket as a fertile ground for Scofield’s genre-spanning improvisational excursions.

In “Mr. Tambourine Man,” Scofield expertly manipulates his guitar’s tone to guide the song’s mood. With the inclusion of looping and overdrive, the track evolves from modal passages to complex harmonic terrains. Stewart contributes to the track’s rhythmic integrity, while Archer acts as a musical adhesive, seamlessly linking Scofield’s tonal shifts and Stewart’s intricate drumming patterns.

“Old Man” is a reimagined Neil Young classic filtered through a jazz lens, with hints of folk, blues, and country. The trio showcases a delicate balance between interactive playing and giving each other space during solos. Scofield’s craftsmanship shines further in tracks like “The Girlfriend Chord,” where he employs pedal effects and varied performance techniques to create continuous tonal shifts.

Stewart’s delicate brushwork in “Somewhere” adds emotional depth to the ballad. Archer’s elegantly walking bass lines in “Stairway to the Stars” provide a lush harmonic foundation that enhances the trio’s overall sound. “Budo” showcases Stewart’s ability to introduce rhythmic complexity, which complements Scofield’s adventurous harmonic and rhythmic choices.

In Uncle John’s Band, each track serves as a chapter in a larger narrative demonstrating technical mastery, emotional depth, and stylistic versatility, offering a nod to jazz’s storied past and its modern-day colors from multiple sources. Whether you are a jazz purist, an avant-garde enthusiast, or a student of musical technique, this album serves as more than just a listening experience; it is a journey through the ever-evolving world of jazz.