Jazz Articles about Medeski Martin & Wood

Medeski, Martin & Wood: End of the World Party (Just in Case)

by Doug Collette
September 3, 2004

This new Medeski Martin and Wood release is heady stuff, certainly on par with the recordings that made the group something of an underground jazz legend in the early- to mid-nineties-- Shack-man and Friday Afternoon in the Universe. But while End of the World Party (Just in Case) reminds you of those albums, and even more so the trio's Blue Note debut of 1998, Combustication , where they explored the possibilities of groove cum ambient sound, the compositions, the performances ...

Medeski Martin & Wood: Uninvisible

by Mark Corroto
April 18, 2002

Medeski Martin & Wood has in effect cut out the middleman on their latest, Uninvisible. The middle being the re-mix project relative to this recording. The trio along with Wu-Tang Clan producer Scotty Hard invited an army of musicians and DJs to participate in this recording, layering, mixing, channeling, and re-mixing as they assembled it piece-by-piece. The result is a hypnotic concoction of hip-hop, jazz, funk, and eerie lounge music.

Producer Hard was aboard for MMW’s previous ...

Medeski, Martin and Wood: The Dropper

by John Sharpe
December 1, 2000

The November issue of Downbeat proclaims that Medeski, Martin and Wood are “the hottest jazz band on the road today.” Perhaps. While they have garnered a loyal following amongst young hipsters reared on jam bands, hip-hop and punk rock, their appeal to “traditional” jazz lovers like myself is still open to debate. Certainly, if you’ve come toThe Dropperlooking for the sort of Jimmy Smith-like soul/funk workout they used to do, you will be disappointed. Instead,The Dropperis a genre-bending, avant-garde exploration ...

Medeski Martin & Wood: The Dropper

by Mark Corroto
December 1, 2000

I picked up the latest disc by the trio Medeski Martin & Wood and trying to categorize it, I didn’t expect the Spanish Inquisition.

(Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition! Their chief weapon is surprise and fear... their two weapons are surprise, fear, and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope...among...their...weapons are surprise, fear, an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope, and ruthless efficiency...)

But I digress. Our heroes in recent interviews have distanced themselves from the whole jam-band phenomenon. I ...

Medeski Martin & Wood: The Dropper

by Mark Corroto
December 1, 2000

I picked up the latest disc by the trio Medeski Martin & Wood and trying to categorize it, I didn’t expect the Spanish Inquisition.

(Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition! Their chief weapon is surprise and fear... their two weapons are surprise, fear, and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope...among...their...weapons are surprise, fear, an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope, and ruthless efficiency...)

But I digress. Our heroes in recent interviews have distanced themselves from the whole jam-band phenomenon. I ...

Medeski Martin & Wood: Tonic

by Mark Corroto
May 1, 2000

Go figure. Just as the new thing (everything old is new again) to hit jazz, groove jazz, was taking off, Medeski, Martin and Wood, switches gears and releases an all-acoustic album. Many credit MMW with spearheading a resurgence of the groovy-organ and electric Miles Davis-style of jazz, updating it with DJs and turntables. Their last disc, Combustication was classified closer to the Beastie Boys than to just about anyone found on their new label, Blue Note. But Phish and Dead ...

Medeski Martin & Wood: Combustication Remix EP

by Mark Corroto
May 1, 1999

A primer on groove; first there was Electric Miles, then came The Grateful Dead. Sun Ra came before consciousness. In today’s world toss in some Phish and better yet (much better) I give you the trio of Medeski, Martin and Wood. These touring maniacs have a reputation as groove masters. Thanks to a contract with Blue Note, their funk-smooth-shake your butt rhythms are getting to a jazz audience. Their first BN release Combustication gets further groove treatment by masters of ...