Scott Freeman Midnight Riders (1994)

While most musicians wind up pigeonholed into very strict stylistic trappings throughout their career, Tom Scott has f ound challenges and success playing all formats of jazz on his solo projects and as leader of the GRP All Star Big Band (in the early 90s). It was fun following his muse in the middle of the decade, as he ventured back to his straightahead roots on 1992's Born Again, then was back to the funk on this rousing jam session. Working with old and new friends like Grover Washington, Jr., Paul Jackson, Jr., Dave Witham, David Paich, Luis Conte, Eric Gale and Robben Ford, Scott mixes his own material with some contributions from the outside.

This album documents drummer Buddy Rich's bout with what were contemporary trends in jazz and pop music during the year 1980. Operating in a groove similar to that of Maynard Ferguson's high-voltage big band, Rich and Co. churned out exciting music that went over well with the crowd at Ronnie Scott's jazz club in London, England. The leader of the reeds, and this band's featured soloist, was tenor and soprano saxophonist Steve Marcus. Don Menza's ultra-funky "Beulah Witch" and Bob Kaye's "Grand Concourse" have that beefed-up, big city big-band feel that was so prevalent during the '70s and '80s. The rest of the tunes on this album were composed by baritone saxophonist Bob Mintzer. His "Blues a la 88" is finely wrought and superbly executed…

One of the better garage rock recordings of its period, the dozen songs here, cut for Justice Records after the band had placed in the second runner-up spot in a local Battle of the Bands, are full of surprises. For starters, the presence of two rhythm guitarists gives the group a rich, thick-textured sound. The other big surprise is the balance struck between the organist and lead guitarist: Monte Allison and David Marlette make a perfect team of soloists. Allison's organ shifts effortlessly from background to foreground, and Marlette's guitar solos show an engaging, inventive sense of melody. The presence of a handful of very pleasing original numbers only enhances the value of this CD. Excellent sound, too.