Is Meant to Be a good place to start with John Scofield?

Yes, Meant to Be is recommended as a starting point for new John Scofield listeners. A vibrant fusion of jazz and funk, blending intricate guitar work with dynamic rhythms and soulful improvisation. Released in 1991, Meant to Be was John Scofield's sixth studio album, following his acclaimed 1989 effort, Loud Jazz. At this point in his career, Scofield was solidifying his reputation as a prominent figure in jazz fusion, expanding his experimental sound while collaborating with notable musicians. This album showcases his growth as both a guitarist and a composer.

Who is Meant to Be for?

Meant to Be works well if you're into long, immersive listening sessions, dynamic emotional journeys and layered, dense sonic textures.

How many songs are on Meant to Be?

Meant to Be has 11 tracks, running approximately 69 minutes.

Meant to Be

John Scofield · 1991

69 min · 11 tracks · jazz

A vibrant fusion of jazz and funk, blending intricate guitar work with dynamic rhythms and soulful improvisation.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Big Fan Start here — The opening track sets an energetic tone with its catchy groove and showcases Scofield's distinctive guitar phrasing that invites listeners into the album's eclectic sound.
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Keep Me in Mind — This track highlights Scofield's lyrical guitar lines intertwined with a soulful melody, illustrating his talent for emotional expression within complex arrangements.
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Meant to Be — The title track exemplifies the album's core themes of spontaneity and exploration, featuring an extended improvisational section that showcases the chemistry between the musicians.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong musicianship with complex compositions but lacks a cohesive flow throughout.

What we noticed

The album features intricate guitar solos that often weave in and out of the rhythm section, creating a dynamic interplay.
Several tracks incorporate sudden tempo shifts, particularly between verses and choruses, enhancing the sense of spontaneity.

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: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

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

long, immersive listening sessions
dynamic emotional journeys
layered, dense sonic textures
gradual builds and payoffs

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album solidified Scofield's reputation in jazz fusion, gaining wider recognition.
Career context: Released in 1991, Meant to Be was John Scofield's sixth studio album, following his acclaimed 1989 effort, Loud Jazz. At this point in his career, Scofield was solidifying his reputation as a prominent figure in jazz fusion, expanding his experimental sound while collaborating with notable musicians. This album showcases his growth as both a guitarist and a composer.
Stylistic neighbors: Pat Metheny· Mike Stern· Bill Frisell