John Scofield - Works For Me (2000)

Tracklist

01 - I'll Catch You
02 - Not You Again
03 - Big J
04 - Loose Canon
05 - Love You Long Time
06 - Hive
07 - Heel To Toe
08 - Do I Crazy?
09 - Mrs. Scofield's Waltz
10 - Six And Eight
11 - Freepie

personnel :

John Scofield - guitar
Kenny Garrett - alto saxophone
Brad Mehldau - piano
Christian McBride - bass
Billy Higgins - drums

John Scofield describes the ensemble on WORKS FOR ME, made up of young jazz stars like alto saxophonist Kenny Garrett, pianist Brad Mehldau, and bassist Christian McBride, as his "one-time-only dream band." Anchoring it all, moreover, is the grand elder statesman Billy Higgins on drums. In honor of this talented company, or maybe because of it, Scofield returns to the straight-ahead swing style (albeit with a few trademark funky episodes), that he has periodically pursued throughout his career.
What works about WORKS is the expert meshing of the quintet, a combination of the talents of Scofield and his younger sidemen and Higgins's lush, unifying swing. The music is fresh and vibrant; each piece, be it ballad, bop, or blues, bristles with energy. Choice cuts include the crackling "Not You Again," the darker ballad "Love You Long Time," and the fittingly titled "Do I Crazy?"