MEDESKI, MARTIN & WOOD
Tonic (Blue Note)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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The success of their funked up, electronified explorations have been a mixed blessing for Medeski, Martin & Wood. As their audience has grown, it's become more and more populated with people who think of them first as an acoustic jam band, and only later, if at all, as a great jazz trio. But they've been a great jazz trio from day one, no matter how they've accessorized their sound. Tonic, an all acoustic effort and the group's first live release, goes a long way to establishing MMW as one of the best contemporary piano trios on the scene.

Mixing their originals with music from the books of Lee Morgan and John Coltrane, and wrapping up with an astonishing version of the venerable rock classic "Hey Joe," the disc manages to accentuate the best of each member of the trio. In particular, though, I'm impressed with the work of bassist Chris Wood, who, whether scratching out horn-like lines with his bow or plucking out a mutant walking line, manages to ground John Medeski's impressively sensitive keyboard work while matching Billy Martin's time and shape shifting trap work as though the drummer and bassist are conjoined through a rhythm gland of some kind.

Medeski, Martin & Wood have proven that you can take a tip from hip-hop without sacrificing a bit of your ability to be-bop. Tonic might not be the album anyone expected from them, but it's one that everyone who loves jazz should appreciate.

Track List:

Invocation * Afrique * Seven Deadlies * Your Lady * Rise Up * Buster Rides Again * Thaw * Hey Joe

© 2000 - Shaun Dale