Is Blue Matter a good place to start with John Scofield?

Yes, Blue Matter is recommended as a starting point for new John Scofield listeners. A vibrant fusion of jazz and funk, blending intricate guitar work with rhythmic grooves and soulful melodies. In 1987, John Scofield was transitioning from his role as a sideman to establishing himself as a bandleader. 'Blue Matter' is his third album, coming after 'Shinola', which had begun to showcase his unique voice within the jazz fusion genre. This release marked a pivotal moment in his career as he developed a distinct style that combined improvisation with accessible melodies.

Who is Blue Matter for?

Blue Matter works well if you're into steady rhythmic exploration, intricate melodies for focus and thoughtful afternoon listening.

How many songs are on Blue Matter?

Blue Matter has 8 tracks, running approximately 42 minutes.

Blue Matter

John Scofield · 1987

42 min · 8 tracks · jazz

A vibrant fusion of jazz and funk, blending intricate guitar work with rhythmic grooves and soulful melodies.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Blue Matter Start here — The title track opens the album with an infectious groove, showcasing Scofield's masterful guitar phrasing and setting the tone for the entire project.
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Heaven Hill — This track features a compelling blend of intricate melodies and syncopated rhythms, highlighting Scofield's ability to weave storytelling through music.
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Time Marches On — Closing the album, this piece combines reflective themes with dynamic improvisation, demonstrating Scofield's growth as a composer and performer.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album blends intricate guitar work with rhythmic grooves, showcasing Scofield's emerging voice in jazz fusion.

What we noticed

The album opens with a title track that features a complex interplay between guitar and horns, establishing a vibrant groove.
The final track employs a slower pace, allowing for an extended improvisational section that contrasts with the more structured earlier pieces.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady rhythmic exploration
intricate melodies for focus
thoughtful afternoon listening
captivating improvisational journey

Maybe skip if you

seeking instant gratification
prefer standalone tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — 'Blue Matter' solidified Scofield's reputation and influenced the jazz fusion scene.
Career context: In 1987, John Scofield was transitioning from his role as a sideman to establishing himself as a bandleader. 'Blue Matter' is his third album, coming after 'Shinola', which had begun to showcase his unique voice within the jazz fusion genre. This release marked a pivotal moment in his career as he developed a distinct style that combined improvisation with accessible melodies.
Stylistic neighbors: Pat Metheny· Mike Stern· Bill Frisell