The avant jazz (I would say acid jazz) trio Medeski, Martin, and Wood released the second installment in the three-part Radiolarians series Wednesday. For the uninitiated, MMW is a jazz act that focuses on improvisation, often using free form jams that do not have a lot of structure. The can be downright spacey from time to time, leaving you wondering if what they are making can be called music. But they are also deeply, DEEPLY groovy. They have churned out some of my favorite funk jazz. Their work with jazz guitarist John Scofield is particularly groovy. Check this out:
I had to do a little research to figure out what the deal is with the album title. According to MMW's website, "Radiolarians (also radiolaria) are amoeboid protozoa that produce intricate mineral skeletons, typically with a central capsule dividing the cell into inner and outer portions, called endoplasm and ectoplasm. "
These "Unicellular Planktonic Marine Organisms" grow their intricately beautiful patterned skeleton around their soft core in defiance of normal biological process, similarly to Medeski Martin and Woods latest creative cycle.
So there. The album is solid, with an excellent combination of funky grooves and spacey jams. It's nothing MMW hasn't tried before, but they haven't had this much success in the studio since my two personal faves, Uninvisible and The Dropper. It is certainly better than the first Radiolarians album. But why read what I think of it when you can rock the whole album right here:
Check em out. The really spacey stuff is not for everyone, but the groovy stuff sure is. These guys are great live and tour relentlessly, so if you like what you hear, go see em!
Also, I highly recommend checking out kick-ass bassist Chris Wood's work with The Wood Brothers. A completely different, folksy style. I love it.
Til next time...
cool
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