Album Review of
Collecting Things

Written by Robert Silverstein
January 27, 2021 - 4:39pm EST
Review Rating Star Review Rating Star Review Rating Star Review Rating Star Review Rating Star

Straight-ahead jazz instrumental music at its best, Collecting Things is the 2020 CD by guitarist Mike Scott. Overall, the 10-track CD is a fine introduction to Mike’s jazzy guitar background as well as his classical guitar influences, the latter thanks to the inclusion of several classical flavored guitar tracks that are featured here, especially the lead off track "Sol Minor Prelude". From start to finish Mike receives some excellent backing by his band including Joe Bagg (keys), Darek Oles (bass) and Jake Reed (drums). A jazz guitarist well-steeped in classical guitar technique, Mike Scott has worked with a variety of music greats as well as being a member of the Los Angeles Jazz Collective. In particular, the combination of Mike’s electric guitar and the keyboards of Joe Bagg yields some magical sounds. All in all, Collecting Things is an engaging and relaxing listening experience featuring a wealth of jazzy originals topped off by Mike’s memorable cover of the 1965 song classic “On A Clear Day”. Fans of contemporary jazz guitar albums are strongly advised to give a listen to Mike Scott’s Collecting Things.