Medeski Martin & Wood (Blue Note)
Keyboardist John Medeski, drummer Billy Martin and bassist Chris Wood first recorded the adventurous spirit that informs their live performances in 1992, with their acclaimed Notes from the Underground. Subsequent albums found the improvisational jazz musicians delving deeper into other genres, especially techno. Here they work elements of hip-hop and the blues into the mix, but the results are somewhat disappointing. The opening beats of "We Are Rolling" are fractured almost beyond comprehension, while "Partido Alto" and "Note Bleu" seem overly tame. On the whole, this music, while expertly performed, is not the improvisational masterpiece that their most fervent fans know the group have in them.
Bottom Line: Maybe next time
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