Composer and arranger Mike Gibbs wrote orchestral arrangements for the late Whitney Houston, scored the Stephen Poliakoff movie Close Your Eyes and Ken Russell’s Whore but his true passion is writing jazz tunes. This vintage live 2-CD set - whose subtitle is `playing the music of Mike Gibbs and John Scofield' - sparks on all cylinders.
The recording is/was essentially a showcase for American Miles Davis alumnus John Scofield and his expansively grungy guitar – the guitarist wrote seven of the lengthy tracks gathered here, while Gibbs wrote four.
The band on what was a 12-date UK tour back in October 1991 were in top form and comprised legendary names like Kenny Wheeler, John Taylor, Tony Coe, Julian Arguelles and Steve Swallow. Tracks like Blue Print are reminiscent of Weather Report in terms of powerhouse energy and Billy Stewart’s drums and Steve Swallow's bass tend to drive things along much as Erskine and Vitous did in that iconic American outfit.
However, it is avowedly different music and we are talking a lush, orchestral vibe, big band preciseness counterpointed with Scofield‘s cheeky blues and funk lines scribbling on top, on work-outs like the fiery Science and Religion or the big and beefy Fat Lip, both Scofield compositions.
No doubt this sulphurous brew will be an acquired taste for some jazz fans, as it was 27 years ago for, well, those who didn’t go. One newspaper wag, who otherwise enjoyed the gig, remarked as follows: "Gibbs’s ensemble arrangements, seemed incongruous, like Richie Blackmore fronting the Black Dyke Mills brass band."
This is not entirely correct, there is no brass band staidness, no air of the parochial and one can only imagine the energy and dynamism in those airy halls on that exciting tour. It’s not all big band bluster and there are intriguingly quiet moments where Scofield settles down for interludes where he is almost talking to himself. Take, for instance, the introductory bars to the wistful Meant to Be which afterwards builds into a storming cathedral of a piece. Other musicians can be quiet too - listen to the plaintive intoning of the horn section - or is it horns and reed together? - as Gibbs’ fascinating A World Without begins. Classy.
