ScoLoHoFo: OH! (2003)

Paul Abella

Recent articles (3 total)

Published: January 6, 2003

When I first picked up the new ScoLoHoFo album, OH!, the first thing I thought of, strangely enough, were, other artists who I was glad weren't on the album. Paul Motian for one, because then the album could have been called “ScoLoHoMo,” which would have been incredibly un-PC; or if Foster and Motian were both involved, “ScoLoHo, MoFo!” After considering these humorous alternatives, I put the CD in, and my jaw dropped. Here was an album, finally, that lived up to expectations.

It's all here. Lovano's imagination, Scofield's sound and groove, Holland's distinctive and singular bass lines and Al Foster's steady-as-a-rock drumming. No one hogs the spotlight, and no one is relegated to the back of the stage. OH! is four of jazz's best going at it, and we, the listeners, are clearly the winners. Highlights include the title track, which fits a great tune to some wonderful soloing; and the Dave Holland composition "The Winding Way," from his overlooked ECM album Dream of the Elders, here done in a much more low-key setting than its earlier counterpart. "New Amsterdam" gives everyone a chance to stretch out. There isn't a dog on the album, and in these trying times of 70 minute albums, that is a true rarity. Enthusiastically recommended.

Track Listing: 1 OH!, 2 Right About Now, 3 The Winding Way, 4 Bittersweet, 5 Shorter Form, 6 New Amsterdam, 7 In Your Arms, 8 The Dawn Of Time, 9 Brandyn, 10 Faces, 11 OH I See

Personnel: John Scofield: Guitar, Joe Lovano: Tenor and Curved Soprano Saxophone, Dave Holland: Bass, Al Foster: Drums

Record Label: Blue Note Records
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream