Is Up All Night a good place to start with John Scofield?

Yes, Up All Night is recommended as a starting point for new John Scofield listeners. A vibrant fusion of jazz and funk, where improvisational guitar meets infectious grooves and a playful spirit. By the time John Scofield released Up All Night in 2003, he was already an established figure in the jazz world, known for his innovative guitar work. This album followed his acclaimed collaboration with Medeski Martin & Wood, showcasing a more accessible, groove-oriented approach that appealed to a broader audience while retaining his signature improvisational style.

Who is Up All Night for?

Up All Night works well if you're into steady grooves for late nights, playful melodies for social gatherings and intricate guitar work detail hunting.

How many songs are on Up All Night?

Up All Night has 11 tracks, running approximately 67 minutes.

Up All Night

John Scofield · 2003

67 min · 11 tracks · jazz

A vibrant fusion of jazz and funk, where improvisational guitar meets infectious grooves and a playful spirit.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Philiopiety Start here — The opening track sets the tone with an infectious rhythm and showcases Scofield's distinctive guitar phrasing against a backdrop of tight ensemble playing.
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Freakin' Disco — This track exemplifies the album's fun and upbeat energy, featuring intricate solos and a danceable groove that invites listeners to engage.
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Born in Troubled Times — With poignant melodies and thoughtful lyrics, this track offers a reflective moment on the album, highlighting Scofield's ability to blend musicality with emotional depth.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong compositions and skilled performances, blending jazz and funk effectively.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of syncopated rhythms across most tracks, creating a danceable groove that invites listener engagement.
Improvisational guitar solos are interspersed with tight ensemble playing, allowing for both individual expression and cohesive group dynamics.
Several tracks incorporate unexpected tempo shifts, adding an element of surprise and maintaining listener interest throughout the record.

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: 6/10
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 grooves for late nights
playful melodies for social gatherings
intricate guitar work detail hunting
uplifting energy for evening drives

Maybe skip if you

prefer instant gratification tracks
dislike extended listening experiences

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Fan Favorite — Beloved for its vibrant fusion of jazz and funk, appealing to dedicated fans.
Career context: By the time John Scofield released Up All Night in 2003, he was already an established figure in the jazz world, known for his innovative guitar work. This album followed his acclaimed collaboration with Medeski Martin & Wood, showcasing a more accessible, groove-oriented approach that appealed to a broader audience while retaining his signature improvisational style.
Stylistic neighbors: Pat Metheny· Mike Stern· Bill Frisell