Simply Fused

In the jazz world, there are artists who are consistent but predictable and artists who are unpredictable but inconsistent. John Scofield, meanwhile, is an impressive example of a jazzman who is both unpredictable and consistent. You never know what the risk-taking guitarist will do from one album to the next, but he rarely provides an album that is flat-out disappointing. Überjam is a major departure from 2000's Works for Me, the Verve date that preceded it. While Works for Me is essentially a straight-ahead post-bop outing and employs acoustic-oriented players, like pianist Brad Mehldau and bassist Christian McBride, Überjam is pure, unadulterated fusion. This album always has a jazz mentality - Überjam is as spontaneous, free-spirited, and uninhibited as any bop session that was recorded in Rudy Van Gelder's studio in the '50s…

As years pass, it’s only natural for some of us to idealize the past. Nothing will ever surpass the first time we jammed our favorite bands and of course, one common complaint is that music nowadays simply lacks the emotional foundation it had in one’s favorite era. The problem becomes even more frequent with progressive metal…

Altered Five Blues Band's highly anticipated third album, produced and mixed by Grammy winner Tom Hambridge (Buddy Guy, Susan Tedeschi, James Cotton, etc.) is a fierce collection of original, contemporary blues fused with vintage soul. “JT” Taylor’s powerful voice anchors the sound and drives home the message in songs like the roaring opening “Demon Woman,” the stone-cold blues of “Move House,” the vivacious shuffle “I’m in Deep,” the soul-drenched balled “Find My Wings,” and sassy “Counterfeit Lover.” The rhythm section of drummer Scott Schroedl and bassist Mark Solveson grooves hard and enjoys telepathic interaction with keyboardist Ray Tevich and guitarist Jeff Schroedl. Guitar World raves that Schroedl has “hi-tech chops” and contributes “superlative solo work.”