Reunion
Artist: Gary Burton

Guitarist Pat Metheny was a member of the Gary Burton Quartet/Quintet during 1974-1976. In 1989, after becoming a major star, he had a reunion with the vibraphonist that resulted in this excellent project. Performing laid-back and often introspective pieces by Polo Ortin, Vince Mendoza, Paul Meyers, keyboardist Mitchel Forman, and Metheny, the... Read More

Akoustic Band
Artist: Chick Corea's Akoustic Band

After recording a string of fusion records in the late '80s with his Elektric Band, Chick Corea returned to acoustic jazz with this trio date. Enlisting Elektric Band sidemen John Patitucci and Dave Weckl, Corea swings through ten tracks with noticeably mixed results. The leader is as romantic as ever, playing with bravado even on ballads,... Read More

Light Years
Artist: Chick Corea's Elektric Band
Community Score: 6.67

The second recording by Chick Corea's Elektric Band was the first to feature altoist Eric Marienthal and guitarist Frank Gambale in addition to bassist John Patitucci, drummer Dave Weckl and the leader/keyboardist. Unlike most other fusion groups, these musicians displayed original musical personalitites and Corea's compositions tended to be... Read More

Eye of the Beholder
Artist: Chick Corea's Elektric Band
Community Score: 6.75

During an era when the word "fusion" was applied to any mixture of jazz with pop or funk, Chick Corea's Elektric Band reinforced the word's original meaning: a combination of jazz improvisations with the power, rhythms and sound of rock. Eye of the Beholder, which found guitarist Frank Gambale, saxophonist Eric Marienthal and bassist John... Read More

Time in Place
Artist: Mike Stern

Guitarist Mike Stern's music has often been a little difficult to classify, featuring strong improvisations, the sound and power of rock, and elements of funk, R&B and sometimes pop. For his second recording as a leader, Stern is joined by either Bob Berg or Michael Brecker on tenor, keyboardist Jim Beard, electric bassist Jeff Andrews, drummer... Read More

Time on My Hands
Artist: John Scofield

John Scofield's airy and instantly recognizable guitar is featured in a sparse quartet on this Blue Note CD. He performs 11 of his quirky compositions which, although occasionally hinting at Charles Mingus or Ornette Coleman, are true originals with new chord changes and sly unpredictable melodies. Bassist Charlie Haden and drummer Jack... Read More

Pick Hits Live
Artist: John Scofield

One of guitarist John Scofield's best sessions for Gramavision, this live date features his regular band of the period, a quartet with keyboardist Robert Aries, electric bassist Gary Grainger and drummer Dennis Chambers, who had been playing together regularly for a year at that point. The close communication between the musicians on such... Read More

Loud Jazz
Artist: John Scofield

There are "loud" moments on this studio set, but the title cut's name is more a humorous attempt to describe the John Scofield Quartet's music than an accurate depiction of their style. The leader/guitarist, who sounds typically distinctive, welcomes guest keyboardist George Duke to five of his nine originals. Scofield's regular group of the era... Read More

Flat Out
Artist: John Scofield

Guitarist John Scofield's final in a long series of releases for Gramavision (he would soon sign with Blue Note) finds him looking ahead toward his future directions. His sidemen -- organist Don Grolnick, acoustic bassist Anthony Cox and either Johnny Vidacovich or Terri Lyne Carrington -- join him for standards including "Secret Love" and "All... Read More

The Essential
Artist: Oregon

Much of their early-period works. Truly essential. ~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide Read More

A Go Go
Artist: John Scofield
Community Score: 6.88

John Scofield owes a great deal to Medeski, Martin & Wood for the success of A Go Go. The piano/organ, bass, and drum playing trio adds a world of bouncing vibes to Scofield's inquisitive, happy guitar work here. A Go Go is an album of mostly breezy, sometimes tense, jam-based grooves. The album's charm is in its "city meets the tropics" feel.... Read More