Jazz
On their eighth studio release, the experimentally inclined jazz-rockers Medeski, Martin, and Wood open up their organ-trio sound in new and unexpected ways. Trading in their earlier, groove-oriented sound for a more eclectic interest in moods and melodies, the group finally dives headlong into the hip-hop and electronica vibe it's been sniffing around at least since 1998's COMBUSTICATION. On tracks like the hypnotic "Retirement Song" or "Pappy Check," the polyrhythmic scratching of guest turntablist DJ Olive isn't employed for sonic color, but as a fully-fledged instrument in the mix.
Keyboardist John Medeski largely steps aside for once, leaving bassist Chris Wood to drive the songs, especially on the funky "The Edge of Night" and the pure hip-hop groove of "First Time, Long Time." Other tracks explore a more noodly, almost ambient feel, especially the closing "Off the Table," which starts with a wild Mellotron solo that sounds like someone spiked Rick Wakeman's curry with acid and ends to a strangely calming loop that sounds like two people playing ping-pong. Guest vocals by Brad Roberts of the Crash Test Dummies and noted southern eccentric Col. Bruce Hampton, as well as two tracks featuring a full horn section, add to the album's appealing sonic variety.
On their eighth studio release, the experimentally inclined jazz-rockers Medeski, Martin, and Wood open up their organ-trio sound in new and unexpected ways. Trading in their earlier, groove-oriented style for a more eclectic interest in moods and melodies, the group finally dives headlong into the hip-hop and electronica vibe it had been sniffing around at least since 1998's COMBUSTICATION. On tracks like the hypnotic "Retirement Song" and "Pappy Check," the polyrhythmic scratching of guest turntablist DJ Olive isn't employed for sonic color, but as a fully-fledged instrument in the mix.
Keyboardist John Medeski largely avoids the spotlight, leaving bassist Chris Wood to drive the songs, especially on the funky "The Edge of Night" and the pure hip-hop groove of "First Time, Long Time." Other tracks explore a more abstract, almost ambient feel, especially the closing "Off the Table," which starts with a wild Mellotron solo that sounds like someone spiked Rick Wakeman's curry with acid, and ends on a strangely calming loop that sounds like two people playing ping-pong. Guest vocals by Brad Roberts of the Crash Test Dummies and noted Southern eccentric Col. Bruce Hampton, and two tracks featuring a full horn section, all add to the album's vivid, appealing sonic variety.
**
John Medeski- (Organ, Piano, Strings, Keyboards, Clavinet)
Billy Martin- (Percussion, Drums, Triangle, Bells)
Chris Wood- (Bass)
Danny Blume, Scotty Hard- (Guitar)
Eddie Bobe- (Percussion, Conga, Bells, Bottle)
Stuart Bogie- (Tenor Sax, Clarinet)
Brad Roberts, Col. Bruce Hampton- (Vocals)
Michael Herbst- (Baritone Sax, Clarinet)
Aaron Johnson- (Trombone)
Jordan McLean- (Trumpet, Flugelhorn)
Todd M. Simon- (Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Trompong)
**
01. Uninvisible
02. I Wanna Ride You
03. Your Name Is Snake Anthony
04. Pappy Check
05. Take Me Nowhere
06. Retirement Song
07. Ten Dollar High
08. Where Have You Been
09. Reprise
10. Nocturnal Transmission
11. Smoke
12. First Time Long Time
13. The Edge of Night
14. Off the Table
**
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