JOHN ZORN - Zaebos : Book Of Angels Volume 11 (Medeski, Martin & Wood) (2009) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

The long awaited release of Medeski Martin and Wood performing Masada material is finally available and it is one of their tightest and most imaginative CDs ever! Playing to packed houses from Budokan to Bonaroo and back again, MMW is one of the most popular and vibrant modern instrumental ensembles around. Original members of the earliest Masada family units (reaching back to 1993), they are keenly in tune with Zorn’s musical world, and a natural choice to interpret the lyrical Book of Angels. Returning to the fold like three prodigal sons, they have created twelve exhilarating arrangements that alternately groove, loop, shred and burn with a fiery passion. TZADIK
Tracklist :
1    Zagzagel    5:24
2    Sefrial    4:47
3    Agmatia    5:22
4    Rifion    4:26
5    Chafriel    7:21
6    Ahaij    3:40
7    Asaliah    4:43
8    Vianuel    3:33
9    Jeduthun    3:03
10    Malach Ha-Sopher    6:50
11    Tutrusa'I    5:09
Credits :
Composed, Producer – John Zorn
Arranged, Producer By – Medeski Martin & Wood
Bass – Chris Wood
Drums – Billy Martin
Keyboards – John Medeski
Illustration – Jarrault

JOHN ZORN : Voices In The Wilderness (2003) 2CD | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

As John Zorn’s most popular project reaches its tenth year, Tzadik celebrates the Masada songbook with a series of all-star tributes. Following Masada Guitars, Volume 2 is an eclectic and powerful collection of almost two dozen Masada classics artfully arranged by some of the downtown scene’s most creative performers. Zorn’s catchiest and most lyrical tunes performed by rock bands, klezmer groups, vocalists, jazz. TZADIK
Tracklist 1 :
1    Pharaoh's Daughter–    Karaim 4'19
Bass – Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz
Cello – Noah Heoffeld
Guitar – Ben Oir
Melodica, Recorder – Daphna Mor
Oud, Vocals – Basya Schechter
Percussion, Vocals, Producer – Daniel Freedman
Violin – Meg Okura
2    Ben Perowksy Trio–    Kisofim 6'45
Bass – Drew Gress
Drums, Arranged By – Ben Perowsky
Piano – Uri Caine
3    Cracow Klezmer Band–    Meholalot 4'57
Accordion, Arranged By – Jaroslaw Bester
Accordion, Clarinet, Percussion – Oleg Dyyak
Double Bass – Wojciech Front
Engineer – Jacek Mastykarz
Violin – Jaroslaw Tyrala
4    Rova Saxophone Quartet–    Lakom 4'07
Baritone Saxophone – Jon Raskin
Engineer – Myles Boisen
Sopranino Saxophone – Steve Adams
Soprano Saxophone – Bruce Ackley
Tenor Saxophone, Arranged By – Larry Ochs
5    Zony Mash–    Tekufah 6'23
Bass – Keith Lowe
Drums – Andy Roth
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Wayne Horvitz
Engineer – Mel Detmer
Engineer [Assistant] – Randall Dunn
Guitar – Timothy Young
6    Naftule's Dream–    Paran 5'10
Clarinet – Glenn Dickson
Drums – Eric Rosenthal
Guitar – Brandon Seabrook
Piano – Michael McLaughlin
Trumpet – Gary Bohan
Tuba – Jim Gray
7    Kramer–    Khebar 2'20
Voice, Arranged By, Instruments – Kramer
8    Satlah–    Nevalah 3'39
Bass – Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz
Drums – Kevin Zubek
Soprano Saxophone, Arranged By – Daniel Zamir
9    Jewlia Eisenberg–    Abidan 3'53
Engineer – Dan Rathburn
Percussion – Wesley Anderson
Voice, Arranged By – Jewlia Eisenberg
10    Pachora–    Tirzah 5'06
Bass, Guitar – Skúli Sverrisson
Clarinet – Chris Speed
Drums, Percussion – Jim Black
Organ, Engineer – Jamie Saft
Tambura, Baglama [Saz], Guitar – Brad Shepik
11    Lemon Juice Quartet–    Peliyot 5'49
Bass – Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz
Drums – Kevin Zubek
Engineer – Fabrice Dupont
Guitar – Eyal Maoz
Trumpet – Avishai E. Cohen
12    Steven Bernstein–    Shebuah 8'27
Clarinet – Doug Wieselman, Marty Erlich
Cornet, Arranged By – Steven Bernstein
Engineer – Sam Berkow, Steve Sockey
Shaker [Shakers] – Aaron Johnson
Vocals, Guitar – Doug Wamble
Tracklist 2 :
1    Medeski Martin & Wood–    Ziphim 7'16
Bass – Chris Wood
Engineer – David Baker, Michael Fossenkemper
Keyboards – John Medeski
Percussion – Billy Martin
2    Rashanim–    Avodah 5'32
Bass – Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz
Drums, Percussion – Mathias Künzli
Guitar – Jon Madof
3    Davka–    Rokhev 3'16
Bassoon – Paul Hanson
Cajón – Kevin Mummey
Cello – Moses Sedler
Engineer – Andre Moran
Violin – Daniel Hoffman
4    Tin Hat Trio–    Tannaim 3'29
Accordion, Bass Harmonica – Rob Burger
Guitar, Dobro, Banjo, Percussion – Mark Orton
Violin, Viola – Carla Kihlstedt
5    Peter Apfelbaum–    Acharei Mot 7'32
Bass – Patrice
Drums – Dafnis Prieto
Engineer – Aaron Johnston
Guitar – David Phelps
Organ – Hiawatha Lockport
Organ, Tenor Saxophone, Percussion, Arranged By – Peter Apfelbaum
Violin – Charles Burnham
6    Mephista–    Malkut 3'30
Computer [Laptop] – Ikue Mori
Drums – Susie Ibarra
Engineer – Jim Staley
Piano – Sylvie Courvoisier
7    Mike Patton–    Kochot 3'47
Percussion – William Winant
Voice, Instruments, Arranged By – Mike Patton
8    Ben Goldberg Trio–    Jair 5'22
Bass – Devin Hoff
Clarinet, Arranged By – Ben Goldberg
Drums – Ches Smith
9    The Wollesens–    Ne'eman 6'54
Alto Saxophone – Dave Binney
Bass – Jesse Murphy
Drums – Kenny Wollesen
Guitar – Steve Cardenas, Tony Scherr
Organ – Brian Mitchell
10    Professionales–    Tahah 3'45
Bass – Brad Jones
Drums – Roberto Rodriguez
Piano – Anthony Coleman
11    Jenny Scheinman–    Tiferet 5'02
Bass – Todd Sickafoose
Drums – Scott Amendola
Engineer – Jeff Cressman
Guitar – Nels Cline
Violin, Arranged By – Jenny Scheinman
12    Jamie & Vanessa Saft–    Kedem 7'29
Keyboards, Bass, Guitar, Programmed By, Engineer, Arranged By – Jamie Saft
Vocals – Vanessa Saft
Credits :
Composed, Producer – John Zorn
Painting [Cover Painting (Morocco. 2000)] – Karen Liebowitz

MEDESKI, MARTIN & WOOD - Notes from the Underground (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Before they went electric and funky, John Medeski, Billy Martin, and Chris Wood were acoustic and funky -- and a lot of other things -- on this exciting early CD. They ruminate like a conventional jazz piano trio when the whim hits them, or move outside when Medeski explodes into Don Pullen-esque clusters. Their métier, though, was clearly the neo-funk thing, for when Martin pulls off those crackling hip-hop and M-Base-related beats on tracks like "Uncle Chubbs" and "Orbits," the band really achieves liftoff. "Caravan" gets a rolling New Orleans funk treatment, and the finale, "Querencia," is a lengthy excursion into dense avant-garde underbrush with a touch of the street in the beat. On several tracks, a three-brass, two-reeds horn section add an extra level of excitement, and the trio tracks are recorded live to DAT (hence the exceptionally crisp sound). by Richard S. Ginell
Tracklist :
1     Hermeto's Daydream 7:11
Billy Martin / John Medeski
2     The Saint 6:58
John Medeski
3     La Garonne 5:51
John Medeski
4     Orbits 4:25
Wayne Shorter
5     Uncle Chubb 7:04
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
6     Rebirth 4:43
Chuck D / Cerwin Depper / Gary G-Wiz / Billy Martin / John Medeski / Stuart Robertz / Chris Wood
7     Otis 6:28
John Medeski
8     United 8:29
Wayne Shorter
9     Caravan 8:18
Duke Ellington / Irving Mills / Juan Tizol
10     Querencia 12:48
John Medeski
Credits :
Bass – Chris Wood
Clarinet [Bass] – Doug Yates
Drums, Percussion, Artwork By [Cover Design] – Billy Martin
Piano, Arranged By [Horn] – John Medeski
Saxophone [Alto], Flute [Alto] – Thomas Chapin
Trombone – Curtis Hasselbring
Trombone, Tuba – Bill Lowe
Trumpet – Steven Bernstein

MEDESKI, MARTIN & WOOD - It's a Jungle in Here (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

A cerebral soul-jazz trio gives up some art and some funk with guest horn players and guitarist Marc Ribot. They call it "Shuck It Up," and rightly so, since they're neither as dissonant nor as ironic as many of their peers playing around downtown New York City. But that doesn't explain why these three don't swing as hard playing Monk, Coltrane, and King Sunny Ade as they do laying down their own earnest grooves and dismantling Bob Marley for mixing up with the Monk. Whether it's insecurity, indifference, or the physical chops they haven't developed to match their minds is for demanding listeners to decide. Or else it's all the same dilemma and will go away with time, just like the band's slow tunes. by Brian Beatty
Tracklist :
1    Beeah    6:56
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
2    Where's Sly?    5:22
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
3    Shuck It Up    7:41
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
4    Sand    2:23
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
5    Worms    5:04
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
6    Bemsha Swing-Lively Up Yourself 5:39
Written-By – Bob Marley, Thelonious Monk
7    Moti Mo 7:57
Written-By – King Sunny Ade
8    It's A Jungle In Here    3:46
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
9    Syeeda's Song Flute 5:53
Written-By – John Coltrane
10    Wiggly's Way    4:09
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
Credits :
Bass – Chris Wood
Drums, Percussion, Artwork By [Logo Artwork] – Billy Martin
Guitar – Marc Ribot
Organ, Piano, Arranged By [Wurlitzer Horn Arrangemnets] – John Medeski
Saxophone [Alto] – Dave Binney
Saxophone [Tenor & Alto] – Jay Rodrigues
Trombone – Josh Roseman
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Steven Bernstein

MEDESKI, MARTIN & WOOD - Friday Afternoon In The Universe (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Here, the MMW direction and loyalties become very clear; they're possessed and driven by the fatback funk and instruments of an earlier generation. John Medeski becomes one of the wave of keyboardists in the '90s who started dragging wonderful old Wurlitzer electric pianos, Hohner clavinets, Hammond organs, wah-wah pedals, and other devices out of the mothballs, and used them almost as quasi-percussion instruments at times. Chris Wood remains resolutely on standup bass, playing with a great feeling for Billy Martin's supremely funky drumming. Some of the results harken back to Miles Davis' jungle bands of the mid-'70s, picking up on the atonality and crosstalk over the JB's/Sly Stone beat ("We're So Happy"). Others are just happy to groove along on the rhythms of some of the most irresistible group chemistry of the 1990s. by Richard S. Ginell
Tracklist :
1    The Lover    6:19
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
2    Paper Bass    0:56
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
3    House Mop    3:46
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
4    Last Chance To Dance Trance (Perhaps)    7:32
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
5    Baby Clams    1:14
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
6    We're So Happy 8:17
Guitar – Danny Blume
Performer [Raygun], Vocals – Tonino Benson
7    Shack    3:02
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
8    Tea    1:12
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
9    Chinoiserie 5:44
Music By – Duke Ellington
10    Between Two Limbs    1:04
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
11    Sequel    5:24
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
12    Friday Afternoon In The Universe    6:01
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
13    Billy's Tool Box    0:35
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
14    Chubb Sub    5:02
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
15    Khob Khun Krub 0:47
Flute [Thai], Music By – Carl Green
Credits :
Acoustic Bass, Harmonica, Flute [Wood] – Chris Wood
Drums, Percussion, Artwork [Original] – Billy Martin
Organ [Organs], Piano, Electric Piano [Wurlitzer], Clavinet – John Medeski

MEDESKI, MARTIN & WOOD - Shack-Man (1996) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Medeski, Martin & Wood's Shack Man is the best example to date of the trio's cerebral fusion of soul-jazz, hip-hop, and post-punk worldbeat. Relying on a laid-back groove for most the album, the group just rolls along. Shack Man is the kind of album that will appeal most to soul-jazz beginners; for aficionados, the lack of grit in the groove makes it rather tedious. by Leo Stanley
Tracklist :
1    Is There Anybody Here That Love My Jesus 4:27
Arranged By – Medeski Martin & Wood
Traditional
2    Think 5:20
John Medeski
3    Dracula    4:19
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
4    Bubblehouse    4:31
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
5    Henduck    4:39
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
6    Strance Of The Spirit Red Gator    5:57
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
7    Spy Kiss    4:27
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
8    Lifeblood    7:06
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
9    Jelly Belly    4:42
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
10    Night Marchers    4:34
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
11    Kenny    4:43
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
Credits :
Bass, Guitar – Chris Wood
Keyboards – John Medeski
Percussion – Billy Martin

MEDESKI, MARTIN & WOOD - Farmer's Reserve (1997) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Farmer's Reserve is the initial release on Medeski, Martin & Wood's Indirecto label. Probably deemed too "out" for major commercial release, this recording shows that their free improvisation credentials are still up to date. John Medeski left his Clavinet and Hammond organs at home, and concentrated on prepared piano, toy piano, and sparing use of a Yamaha synth. Chris Wood plays acoustic bass, and drummer Billy Martin has his usual assortment of drums and hand percussion. Leaving behind the groove aesthetic that has garnered them so much popularity, this record showcases each musician's ability to create and respond simultaneously. The album is basically four improvised pieces, with most of the pieces having a series of "movements." Years of playing together have given them nearly telepathic interplay. They know when to explore a musical area they've discovered, and when to move on as well. Although the music is free improvised, this is not to say that it doesn't have any melodic or rhythmic sense whatsoever -- but that's not the goal here. This recording is a document of a moment in time when three longtime friends/musicians spontaneously created music with no rules or preconceptions. Hats off to MMW for taking a chance like this. by Sean Westergaard  
Tracklist :
1    Part 1    4:01
2    Part 1    2:56
3    Part 1    4:24
4    Part 1    3:46
5    Part 2    6:36
6    Part 2    3:23
7    Part 2    2:35
8    Part 2    7:10
9    Part 3    3:08
10    Part 3    4:28
11    Epilogue    15:16
Credits :
Acoustic Bass, Guitar – Chris Wood
Drums, Percussion – Billy Martin
Piano, Synthesizer – John Medeski

MEDESKI, MARTIN & WOOD - Combustication (1998) APE (tracks), lossless

As the only jazz band to be accepted by the neo-hippies of the HORDE '90s, Medeski, Martin & Wood pulled off the strange coup of being embraced by rock and jazz audiences, who both loved their endless improvisations. They managed to walk the fine line dividing between the two camps, as their funkified soul-jazz was self-referential and cerebral, not earthy and instinctual. That's part of the reason why some soul-jazz diehards didn't embrace MMW -- the ingredients may be there, but it just didn't taste like a real Jimmy Smith record. Perhaps conscious of this, MMW make no excuses about their heritage on their fifth album, Combustication. Perhaps because it is their first effort for a real jazz label (Blue Note), Combustication happens to be their most adventurous effort yet. Ironically, it's because the group embraces alt-rock and hip-hop conventions like turntable scratching. That ultimately turns out to be just window-dressing, however -- beneath it all, MMW's music remains essentially the same, but the handful of curve balls makes Combustication worth close listening for those already on their side. by Stephen Thomas Erlewine  
Tracklist :
1    Sugar Craft 3:22
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
Turntables – DJ Logic
2    Just Like I Pictured It    3:27
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
3    Start-Stop 6:39
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
Turntables – DJ Logic
4    Nocturne    4:02
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
5    Hey-Hee-Hi-Ho    3:15
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
6    Whatever Happened To Gus 4:26
Steve Cannon / Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
Voice [Spoken Word] – Steve Cannon
7    Latin Shuffle    9:05
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
8    Everyday People    5:27
Sylvester "Sly Stone" Stewart
9    Coconut Boogaloo    3:57
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
10    Church Of Logic 6:38
Jason Kibler / Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
Turntables – DJ Logic
11    No Ke Ano Ahiahi    4:48
Traditional
12    Hypnotized    5:34
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
Credits :
Bass, Bass Drum – Chris Wood
Drums, Percussion – Billy Martin
Keyboards – John Medeski

MEDESKI, MARTIN & WOOD - The Dropper (2000) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Drifting back closer to the avant-garde territory that they cut their teeth on, Medeski, Martin & Wood explore percolating sonic textures on The Dropper. Released by Blue Note in late 2000, the jazz trio's seventh album is a complex blend of Latin jazz, haunting soundscapes, hip-hop grooves, and John Medeski's trademark organ funk. The group is assisted on several tracks by guitarist Marc Ribot and the fourth instrument serves to add another layer to the eclectic mix, at times getting buried beneath the sampled loops and B-3 dirt.
Recorded in the band's Brooklyn studio, Shacklyn, and co-produced by acclaimed hip-hop engineer Scotty Hard (Wu-Tang Clan, P.M. Dawn, Kool Keith), The Dropper exudes a streetwise, gritty vibe almost like the Beastie Boys' Paul's Boutique without the clever references. In fact, several of the 13 tracks on this album ("Philly Cheese Blunt," "Big Time") could be slipped into Check Your Head or the second half of Ill Communication and nobody would know. The less immediately funky tracks, like the avant-rhumba "Partido Alto" or the chilling final track "Norah 6" (accompanied by a sighing string section) may not appeal to the baseball capped Ninja Tune aficionados or the groove-seeking neo-deadheads, but fans of their early works in the New York experimental jazz-fusion scene will find several points of interest. While The Dropper is less immediately accessible than many of their previous albums, it ends up being more sonically rewarding, continuing to blur the lines between jazz, rock, and funk. by Zac Johnson  
Tracklist :
1    We Are Rolling 7:04
Mixed By – Scotty Hard
Written-By – MMW
2    Big Time 3:23
Mixed By – Scotty Hard
Written-By – MMW
3    Fèlic 3:21
Mixed By – Scotty Hard
Written-By – MMW
4    Partido Alto 5:42
Alto Saxophone – Marshall Allen
Congas – Eddie Bobé
Mixed By – Scotty Hard
Written-By – MMW
5    Illinization 2:31
Mixed By – David Baker
Written-By – MMW
6    Bone Digger 2:22
Guitar – Marc Ribot
Mixed By – Scotty Hard
Written-By – MMW
7    Note Bleu 3:01
Guitar – Marc Ribot
Mixed By – Scotty Hard
Written-By – John Medeski
8    The Dropper 3:29
Guitar – Marc Ribot
Mixed By – Scotty Hard
Written-By – MMW
9    Philly Cheese Blunt 4:49
Mixed By – Scotty Hard
Written-By – MMW
10    Sun Sleigh 2:23
Mixed By – Scotty Hard
Surdo – Paula Potocki
Written-By – MMW
11    Tsukemono 3:23
Mixed By – Scotty Hard
Violin – Charlie Burnham
Written-By – MMW
12    Shacklyn Knights 4:44
Mixed By – Scotty Hard
Written-By – MMW
13    Norah 6 4:51
Cello – Jane Scarpantoni
Mixed By – Scotty Hard
Violin – Charlie Burnham, Joan Wasser
Written-By – MMW
Credits :
Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass – Chris Wood
Drums, Percussion – Billy Martin
Keyboards – John Medeski

MEDESKI, MARTIN & WOOD - Tonic (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The first officially released live album by Medeski, Martin & Wood, as well as their first acoustic recording since their debut, Tonic captures the best of several 1999 performances at the small New York City club of the same name. The group's playing is a nice mix of outside, bop, and funky grooves, but the difference here is that Medeski is unable to rely on the electric organ to produce effects. That often means his lines are busier and more staccato than usual, and, especially on "Invocation" and "Thaw," he takes spirited flights into the avant-garde with chaotic yet controlled flurries of notes. The group's rhythmic interplay, too, becomes more important in this context, with the grooves shifting around often enough to give the musicians more to react to. The eight-song program is equally divided between originals and covers with the latter category including hard bop material by Lee Morgan, John Coltrane, and Bud Powell, as well as a gentle, album-closing rendition of the rock standard "Hey Joe." Although Tonic is markedly different from the jazz-funk-rock with which MMW made their name, it's a rewarding excursion and one of their most purely jazz-oriented works. by Steve Huey
Tracklist :
1     Invocation 5:15
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
2     Afrique 8:24
Duke Ellington / Lee Morgan
3     Seven Deadlies 10:56
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
4     Your Lady 9:12
John Coltrane
5     Rise Up 11:14
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
6     Buster Rides Again 7:36
Bud Powell
7     Thaw 11:32
Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
8     Hey Joe 5:30
Billy Roberts
Credits :
Bass – Chris Wood
Drums, Percussion, Mbira – Billy Martin
Piano, Melodica – John Medeski

MEDESKI, MARTIN & WOOD - End of the World Party (Just in Case) (2004) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

More than a decade into their career, Medeski, Martin & Wood continue to expand their sound. This time out, they've enlisted John King (Dust Brothers, Beck, Beastie Boys) as producer and engineer, and he brings a left-field pop sensibility to the table without ever sacrificing the personality and energy of the band. OK, it's not really "pop," but the songs themselves are less overtly "out" than the last couple records despite some wicked, nasty, wonderful tones. The new sound is a thick one, with lots of different layers and perhaps the largest keyboard arsenal ever assembled. On the first track alone, "Anonymous Skulls," you can hear just about every keyboard sound known to man, but it never gets too busy or claustrophobic. In fact, it's almost like the overdubbing process made them more aware of the tunes themselves rather than just the playing, making the songs particularly focused. It's easy to tell this is MMW, with Chris Wood's rich basslines, John Medeski's often percussive virtuosity, and Billy Martin's easily identifiable beats, but all the different layers and bits of ear-candy details really add a new element to the sound. There's also the fairly prominent use of Mellotron, which adds great texture, especially in the sometimes abusive hands of Medeski, who really demonstrates knowledge and mastery of every different keyboard and keyboard style. Forsaking the plethora of guest stars of the last two albums, the only guests are Marc Ribot (on four tracks) with the Sex Mob horns (Steven Bernstein and Briggan Krauss) joining on one of those. Ribot plays with perhaps his thickest, most distorted tone on record on "New Planet," and really lets it rip on "Queen Bee." End of the World Party (Just in Case) is probably the most intricately assembled of the MMW records, but the grooves are still unshakable and the bottom line is that they're still a great band. The fact that they continue to push their sound, even enlisting an almost mainstream "rock" producer to spice things up, is almost a victory in itself in the generally too-safe world of jazz, but the real success is that they keep putting out great records. This is no exception. by Sean Westergaard  
Tracklist :
1    Anonymous Skulls    4:23
John King / Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
2    End Of The World Party    5:10
John King / Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
3    Reflector 4:09
John King / Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
Guitar – Marc Ribot
4    Bloody Oil    4:41
John King / Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
5    New Planet 4:05
John King / Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
Guitar – Marc Ribot
6    Mami Gato    4:07
John King / Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
7    Shine It    4:57
John King / Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
8    Curtis    4:37
John King / Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
9    Ice    4:32
John King / Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
10    Sasa 4:13
John King / Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
Guitar – Marc Ribot
Saxophone – Briggan Krauss
Trumpet [Slide Trumpet] – Steven Bernstein
11    Midnight Poppies / Crooked Birds    3:45
John King / Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
12    Queen Bee 4:57
John King / Billy Martin / John Medeski / Chris Wood
Guitar – Marc Ribot
Credits :
Bass – Chris Wood
Drums, Percussion – Billy Martin
Keyboards – John Medeski
Producer – John King

MEDESKI, SCOFIELD, MARTIN & WOOD - Out Louder (2006) 2CD / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Out Louder reunites keyboardist John Medeski, drummer Billy Martin, and bassist Chris Wood with guitar great John Scofield, who employed the trio on his 1997 A Go Go album. That record opened the creativity gates for both the trio and Scofield, who fed off and goaded each other into territories neither party had previously gone separately. Out Louder isn't so much a rematch as an upgrade. Both Scofield and MMW have continued to explore in the near-decade since A Go Go, and they come to this project with a greater understanding of their collective abilities as well as a willingness to explore the possibilities further. Not unexpectedly, the four musicians work hard here, but they also have a ton of fun. The opening track, "Little Walter Rides Again," serves notice that this isn't going to be an exercise in showing off but rather four envelope-pushing musicians picking each other's brains and seeing what they find. An easygoing blues vamp with a funky, Memphis-style beat, the track keeps the quartet reined in while simultaneously allowing each musician to dance around a bit within its structure. That idea of holding back doesn't last long, however, as that leadoff gives way to "Miles Behind," a nod to electric Miles Davis minus the trumpet. Although the players, particularly Medeski and Scofield, take several opportunities to reach for the outside fringes, Out Louder never becomes inaccessible, even during its freer-jazz moments. "Tequila and Chocolate," for example, takes up with a simple bossa nova rhythm that eventually goes wildly astray without losing touch with its form, and the John Lennon tune "Julia" (which, honestly, borrows only minimally from the original melody) is a soft, sweet, and sensual ballad that never strays even close to the edge yet still manages to feel edgy. That's not to say that those looking for the heavy jams will be disappointed. "What Now" finds Medeski and Scofield challenging each other as if they were Keith Emerson and Jimi Hendrix having it out at some late-night club, and "Down the Tube," though essentially a simple funky blues, flirts with psychedelia, Scofield turning in some of his most startling playing of the set. The session ends with a virtually unrecognizable improv on Peter Tosh's reggae anthem "Legalize It" that spotlights Martin and Wood in lockstep groove. If ever MMW and Scofield decided to make something more permanent of their meet-ups, one can only guess where else they might go. by Jeff Tamarkin
Tracklist 1 :
1    Little Walter Rides Again    3:55
John Scofield
2    Miles Behind    2:53
Billy Martin / John Medeski / John Scofield
3    In Case The World Changes Its Mind    3:41
Billy Martin / John Medeski / John Scofield
4    Tequila And Chocolate    6:25
Billy Martin / John Medeski / John Scofield / Chris Wood
5    Tootie Ma Is A Big Fine Thing    4:42
Public Domain
6    Chachaça    4:14
Chris Wood
7    Hanuman    6:24
Billy Martin / John Medeski / John Scofield
8    Telegraph    3:55
Billy Martin / John Medeski / John Scofield
9    What Now    4:54
Billy Martin / John Medeski / John Scofield
10    Julia    5:18
John Lennon / Paul McCartney
11    Down The Tube    11:40
Billy Martin / John Medeski / John Scofield
12    Legalize It 3:55
Written-By – Peter Tosh
Tracklist 2 :
1    A Go Go - Live    5:17
2    Cachaca - Live    7:29
3    The Tube - Live    4:19
4    Amazing Grace - Live    6:05
5    Deadzy - Live    6:50
6    What Now - Live    4:19
Credits :
Bass – Chris Wood
Drums, Percussion – Billy Martin
Guitar – John Scofield
Keyboards – John Medeski

MEDESKI, MARTIN & WOOD - Let's Go Everywhere (2008) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Medeski, Martin & Wood have always considered their music as being for the kid in all of us, no matter our age. For Let's Go Everywhere, they really emphasize the childlike approach to music-making, staying fun and funky while adapting various tunes of adolescence and inventing a few silly songs of their own. With help from grown-up vocalists and selected children, MMW take liberties in their musical image by relating to the playful, nonchalant, and carefree innocence of youth. The title track is a great example of being a rascal without devilish or campy affectations, as singer Tim Ingham modifies and extends the lyrics to the famous Johnny Cash tune "I've Been Everywhere," replete with handclapping. The scrubbing song "Pirates Don't Take Baths" is hilarious, in a shuffle with Ingham and Medeski's piano; "On an Airplane" goofs it up more as Chris Wood sings or plays harmonica; while "The Train Song" gains speed in a sly New Orleans-tinged tango, with Oliver Wood's bluesy vocalizing. Dr. John would likely be amused by "Let's Go" in an old-style Crescent City groove; there's a 6/8 Latin version of "Hickory Dickory Dock" with spoken lyrics by Lindsay Dyer alongside only Billy Martin's drumming; and "Pat a Cake" is a kid's rap with Martin pounding out the funk. Few instrumentals crop up, but "Cat Creeps" provides Medeski with an opportunity to use at least three keyboards -- one a Farfisa organ -- in choogling stairstep motion, but for "Far East Sweets" (for Haribo candies?) the sound is koto-like, Asian-derived and mysterious. Perhaps "Where's the Music," with its tacit sections waiting for the children to yell out the title refrain, speaks out the best not only on the attitude of how youth music is invisible, but also on where the core of MMW's organ funk music lies. Although not attempting to be Sharon, Lois & Bram, Raffi, or (thankfully) Barney, Medeski, Martin & Wood have struck a chord with their inner child, while presenting music that any growing toddler, tween, or teen can relate to. by Michael G. Nastos
Tracklist :
1     Waking Up 1:07
John Medeski
2     Let's Go Everywhere 3:35
M.A. Geoffrey
3     Cat Creeps 2:49
Billy Martin
4     The Train Song 2:16
Vocals, Written-By – Chris Wood
5     Where's the Music 1:04
Chris Wood
6     Pat a Cake 3:16
Arranged By – Billy Martin
Written-By – Traditional   
7     Pirates Don't Take Baths 1:12
Written-By – Tim Ingham
8     Far East Sweets 2:43
Chris Wood
9     On an Airplane 2:56
Vocals, Written-By – Chris Wood         
10     The Squalb 3:55
John Lurie / John Medeski
11     Let's Go 3:19
John Medeski
12     Old Paint 2:29
Traditional   
13     Hickory Dickory Dock 2:41
Traditional   
14     All Around the Kitchen 1:26
Traditional   
15     We're All Connected 1:04
John Medeski
Credits :
Bass, Guitar, Harmonica – Chris Wood
Choir – Lindgren Blue Room Class (faixas: 11, 14)
Drums, Percussion, Other [Mbira] – Billy Martin
Illustration – Jim Stoten
Keyboards – John Medeski
Vocals – Caelan Cardello (faixas: 5), Dakota Martin (faixas: 5, 6, 15), Emily Kingsley (faixas: 2, 6), Georgia Laugher (faixas: 5, 6), Kieran Engel (faixas: 4), Lindsay Dyer (faixas: 13, 15), Marvin Pontiac (faixas: 10), Melissa Schacker (faixas: 2), Molly Densmore (faixas: 2), Nissa Wood (faixas: 5, 14), Oliver Wood (faixas: 4), Sawyer Martin (faixas: 5), Tim "Big Time" Ingham* (faixas: 2, 7), Tulsi Anna (faixas: 14)

MEDESKI, MARTIN & WOOD - Uninvisible (2002) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Uninvisible is further than ever from conventional jazz organ. While blues and funk influences are evident throughout the album, they float on a sea of shadows. Sound sources are obscure or exotic; on "Pappy Check" innovative scratching by turntablist DJ Olive creates an impression of African percussion more than club atmospherics. Even where the instrumentation is less ambiguous, the trio steers toward a filmic noir sensibility, with Medeski leading the way in unorthodox techniques. His pitch-bend solo on "Take Me Nowhere" suggests the creak of a rusty hinge, with Wood's acoustic bass providing the anchor for his abstractions. Wood is in fact often mixed higher than Medeski, to the effect of reducing the keyboard parts to a sideline role and the album in turn to an exercise in mood more than virtuosity -- an impression enhanced by a similarly eccentric shrinkage of the power guitar part on "The Edge of Night" to a barely audible background element. The rhythm is steady and stealthy, a slow-motion oscillation between live and looped tracks, most often with a hip-hop sensibility. More important, every musician on each cut plays with a belief that overplaying only subverts the goals of collective improvisation. If any one album can be said to pick up on the surreal funk explorations of latter-day Miles Davis, Uninvisible is it. by Robert L. Doerschuk  

MIKE STERN - Big Neighborhood (2009) WV (tracks+.cue), lossless

Like all the legends he ever worked for or with, from Miles Davis to Jaco Pastorius, Billy Cobham to the Brecker Brothers, the five-time Grammy nominee has learned over the course of his 26-year recording career -- 33 since he got his breakthrough gig with Blood, Sweat & Tears -- something about the nuanced art of collaboration. Not only does it take a village to make a great, boundary-stretching jazz recording, the wild excursions on his second Heads Up date seem to be shouting, as it actually involves a whole Big Neighborhood. On this diverse 12-track set, whose styles range from blazing jazz fusion to African-tinged exotica and trippy Middle Eastern journeys, Mike Stern invites a few of his pals back who populated his similarly eclectic 2006 label debut Who Let the Cats Out? Especially significant is the renewed invitation extended to Richard Bona, whose rumbling bass and spirited vocalese bring authenticity to the highly spiritual African vibes of "Reach." Looks like Stern's got a little crush on the brilliant young bassist/vocalist Esperanza Spalding, whose voice, he says, knocks him out. Pairing her with drum great Terri Lyne Carrington isn't just a cool, girl-power endeavor. The two have genuine chemistry with the guitarist; "Song for Pepper" drifts dreamily with Spalding's endearing vocalizations, and "Coupe de Ville" darts and swings playfully as Bob Malach's sax and Stern's strings weave through the rhythmic foundation forged by Spalding and Carrington. Finally, Stern swings the door open to a lot of fresh melodic and improvisational ideas via his jazz-rock cohorts Eric Johnson (playing it cool on the moody, soulful "6th Street") and Steve Vai (wailing like crazy on the searing title track). He goes artsier with "jam band godfathers" Medeski, Martin & Wood, who help spin a wild blues-rock web on "Check One" and cool to a simmer on the more pop/rock-oriented "Check One." There's also an appearance by Stern's old friend, Randy Brecker. This is one block party jazz fusion fans won't want to miss in 2009! by Jonathan Widran 
Credits
1 Big Neighborhood 7:40
Bass – Lincoln Goines
Drums – Dave Weckl
Guitar – Mike Stern, Steve Vai
Piano, Keyboards – Jim Beard
2 6th Street 7:48
Bass – Lincoln Goines
Drums – Lionel Cordew
Guitar – Eric Johnson, Mike Stern
Organ [Hammond] – Jim Beard
3 Reach 5:29
Bass, Vocals – Richard Bona
Drums – Dave Weckl
Guitar – Mike Stern
Piano, Keyboards – Jim Beard
Saxophone – Bob Franceschini
4 Song For Pepper 5:43
Bass, Vocals – Esperanza Spalding
Drums – Terri Lyne Carrington
Guitar – Mike Stern
Piano, Organ [Hammond] – Jim Beard
5 Coupe De Ville 4:35
Bass, Vocals – Esperanza Spalding
Drums – Terri Lyne Carrington
Guitar – Mike Stern
Piano – Jim Beard
Saxophone – Bob Malach
6 Bird Blue 5:42
Bass, Vocals – Esperanza Spalding
Drums – Terri Lyne Carrington
Guitar – Mike Stern
Piano, Keyboards – Jim Beard
7 Moroccan Roll 7:04
Bass – Lincoln Goines
Drums – Dave Weckl
Guitar – Mike Stern
Piano, Keyboards – Jim Beard
Sitar [Sitar Guitar] – Steve Vai
8 Long Time Gone 7:51
Bass – Lincoln Goines
Drums – Lionel Cordew
Guitar – Eric Johnson, Mike Stern
Organ [Hammond] – Jim Beard
9 Check One 7:37
Drums – Billy Martin
Electric Bass – Chris Wood
Guitar – Mike Stern
Organ [Hammond], Clavinet – John Medeski
Saxophone – Bob Malach
10 That's All It Is 4:50
Acoustic Bass – Chris Wood  
Drums – John Medeski
Guitar – Mike Stern
Organ [Hammond], Piano [Wurlitzer] – John Medeski
Saxophone – Bob Malach
11 Hope You Don't Mind 5:18
Bass – Chris Minh Doky
Drums – Cindy Blackman
Guitar – Mike Stern
Piano – Jim Beard
Trumpet – Randy Brecker

MIKE STERN - Big Neighborhood

 (2009) HUCD / WAVPack (tracks+.cue), lossless

 O Púbis da Rosa