STILL WARM

I'm generally wary of 80's release, even in the jazz-JR/F realm, because of the then-technology or the lounge/new-agey feel (ala ECM), but seeing that Still Warm had some good ratings (much better than surrounding releases), I decided to investigate it and rented it. The least we can say is that Scofield's style of playing certainly hasn't changed much (actually a tad bit more nervous or energetic), and you'll find more or less the same kind of compositions than in Who's Who, for ex. So what's changed are the production and some ill-advised 80's traits, like some very boring keyboards layers (read new-age) on some tracks, like the aptly-titled Techno opener, and there are some stinking electronic percussions such as those atrocious sampled-snares on Protocol with binary beats. At least Scofield compensates these flaws with some brilliant guitar chops. In general, Still Warm is an alright album (especially for that dreaded 80's decade), but it won't ruffle your feathers in either the good or bad way, if you're not too allergic to 80's technology.