In the past, US guitarist John Scofield has explored the jazz-rock fusion to good effect, but recent times have seen him sliding back into a straight jazz bag. It's a courageous move commercially, because he'll surely lose some of the support he's so painstakingly accumulated; but you could make out no more convincing artistic case for it than this album, which sees him effortlessly move up into the jazz heavyweight division. Blistering solos, well-crafted compositions and a nicely balanced mood mix for the whole set; brilliant accompaniment from Charlie Haden, Jack De Johnette and underrated saxophonist Joe Lovano; and he hasn't even lost his knack for catchy licks and song titles, both evidenced on So Sue Me. NB: it's worth shelling out for the CD, which boasts three bonus tracks. --Brian Glasser -- (c) Emap Consumer Magazines Limited.