Soulfunkjazz’s Blog

Up All Night (2003)
1. Over the years John Scofield’s been getting increasingly funkier and with ‘Up all night’ he hits the bullseye with just about the funkiest grooves since James Brown’s heyday. Not sure whether this album should be filed under ‘Jazz’ in the shops as it’s more like funk with a twist of jazz. Jazz purists will probably turn their noses up at this but for for fans of P-Funk, James Brown etc this is the business. DJ’s would do well to buy this and drop several of the tracks into their sets because the grooves are just wicked.(Amazon)
2. Quite simply, Up All Night is a masterclass in cutting-edge ensemble playing. Adam Deitch’s muscular drums and Andy Hess’s bass complement Scofield’s guitar perfectly as he simultaneously reinvents himself, embracing new technology for the first time with loops, samples and sequences.
With enough of Scofield’s signature altered-dominant adventures to please the fans, there’s still plenty of accessible melodies within. New listeners should probably start with Whatcha see is Whatcha get (the only non-Scofield penned tune here), with it’s tight, crisp guitar lines and supple horns.
The musical range of this album is vast, from the hip-hop breaks in Philiopiety, the world music detours of Thikhathali, the dark mystique of Creeper, the funky riffing of Freakin’ Disco and Every Night is Ladies Night, to the Frisell-like gossamer guitar of Like the Moon. (Amazon)
Personnel
John Scofield – Electric Guitar, Guitar samples
Avi Bortnick – Rhythm Guitar, Samples, Loops
Andy Hess – Bass
Adam Deitch – Drums
With Horn section 1, 4 6, &, 8 & 11
Craig Handy – Tenor, Flute, Bass Clarinet
Earl Garner – Trumpet
Gary Smulyan – Baritone
Jim Pugh – Trombone
Samson Olawale – Percussion Sample 6
Tracks:
1. Philiopiety
2. Watch Out for Po-Po
3. Creeper
4. Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get
5. I’m Listening
6. Thikhathali
7. Four on the Floor
8. Like the Moon
9. Freakin’ Disco
10. Born in Troubled Times
11. Every Night Is Ladies Night
**Listen**