The weather is warming up here in New York City, more and more people are walking and biking to places where they would usually cab it. More people are hanging out in Braynt Park during their lunch hour and strolling through Central Park in the evenings. People all over the country are making the change from winter to spring, and although the temperature may not hit 55 degrees every day, for the most part, people are looking to shed their winter activities and bask in the oncoming warmth that middle March brings. Outdoor activities usually involves groups of people, the winter solidarity is broken through by a fun picnic or grass soccer game, and of course music. And what music is better to listen to than some great Jam band music. Upbeat, jazzy, and funky, is what the forecast is for the next few months, which is great news since there’s some really great upbeat, jazzy and funky stuff which has just come out.

Before we get to the new stuff, I just want to mention that String Cheese Incident and Conehead Buddha’s latest albums (which were discussed last issue, check the archives) are doing fairly well on the charts, both are hovering around the middle part of CMJ’s top 200 albums of the week for the past four weeks. String Cheese has also stayed pretty even at number 14 on the top AAA albums the past two of the past three weeks, which means that they are getting some radio play on college alternative stations all across the country.

On the upbeat jazzy side of things, John Scofield has a new album, Bump, out which could not have been put out at a better time. The album, which made its debut at number 13 on CMJ’s Jazz chart is the perfect blend of soft drum and bass sequences and smooth (what a cliché) guitar riffs. But smooth is the only word that can adequately describe the way Scofield simply and slowly develops his songs and solos. The album has a great upbeat jazz feel that makes not grooving to it impossible. Twirling on a lush green bed of grass with the springtime sun shining down to songs like Kelpers and Swinganova is a near necessity where springtime activities are concerned. The guitar pieces are about as riveting as they come, but what is really amazing about the album is the guitar pieces aren’t overbearing like some guitar driven jazz is. Scofield, the master jazz musician that he is, takes the time to allow each song to develop with each instrument, making each song a work of art. This album, truly, is one of the best albums I have heard in a long time and should really improve your springtime fun.

Since we are talking about smooth albums two albums should not be overlooked. The new Steely Dan and Gov’t Mule albums are just about as smooth as they come. A little skepticism is allowed when thinking about a Steely Dan album for the 21st century, but the album is really good. Surprisingly good. Songs like Janie Runaway and What A Shame About Me makes this album a good radio one. The songs are smooth, well defined, and pleasant on the ears. The new Gov’t Mule is also a good smooth radio album. It has a much harder sound than both the Scofield and Steely Dan records, but still has the smooth guitar riffs which lead to some pleasant sounds. The album also features Ben Harper who can do nothing but add to the upbeat, funky feel of it.

For the early part of spring, nothing is better than looking ahead to the wonderful summer of festivals and school vacation, but remember that spring is not to be overlooked, some times, with the right mix of music of the radio, it can be taken slow and enjoyed to the utmost.