Medeski, Martin & Wood Uninvisible CD

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.

Recorded at Shacklyn Studios, Brooklyn, Bearsville Studios, Bearsville and The Magic Shop, New York, New York.

Medeski Martin & Wood: John Medeski (keyboards); Billy Martin (drums, percussion); Chris Wood (bass).

Additional personnel: Col. Bruce Hampton, Brad Roberts (vocals); Stuart D. Bogie (tenor saxophone, contra alto clarinet); Michael Herbst (baritone saxophone, bass clarinet); Jordan McLean, Todd Simon (trumpet, flugelhorn); Aaron Johnson (trombone); Scotty Hard (guitar, rhythm machine, turntables); Danny Blume (guitar, baritone guitar); Eddie Bobe (congas, bata, shekere, percussion); DJ Olive, DJ P Love (turntables).Alternative Press (June 2002, pp.80-82) - 9 out of 10 - "...Jumping from straight bass, drum and organ-led jams...to dark, cinematic pieces...to...skittery organic illbience...MMW charge brazenly past cries of Jimmy Smith worship into territory rarely covered by artists..."
CMJ (4/8/02, p.5) - "...For being such masters of their instruments, MMW are remarkably generous players, which is exactly why they make all their guests and hosts sound that much better..."
Down Beat (May 2002, pp.52-53) - 4 out of 5 stars - "...MM&W return to [a] tight focus and rich texture...but with a distinctly ominous midnight edge. The product of a composition-through-imporvisation approach...UNINVISIBLE is darkly layered and ripe with filigree..."
JazzTimes (5/02, pp.102-3) - "...Music you can dance to while contemplating its cosmic connectedness to the universal groove..."