What I hear when I put my Ear to the Ground is Kenny Wayne Shepherd in a jazz combo. The Matt Schofield Trio lays down tight, crisp jams where each point of the triangle plays an important role. 2007’s Ear to the Ground runs through varied styles like a jazz nightclub corner band doing funk, soul, and blues.
“Room at the Back” is a funk instrumental built on drums and organ breaks as it cooks up and sends the wallflowers to the dance floor. “Someone” is the most Kenny Wayne Shepherd-like composition, whereas “Move Along” is the most jazz band-like. Find that jazz vamp again on “Cookie Jar” with a baseball stadium organ sound leading into a grooving, two-timing, cryin’-shame blues.
Matt Schofield Trio
Nugene Records
