Music Review - Medeski Martin & Wood

If the mere mention of the word "jazz" brings about visions of old men smoking cigarettes and blowing trombones in a scattered foray of non-musical racket, then skip this review and go buy another Blink 182 CD because you're too far gone to care about what I have to say here. If someone asks you about modern jazz and all you can think about are flapper girls, glittered curtains and someone who looks like Mel Blank in a blue suit shaking his ass at an audience of geriatric WWII vetrans, then please...by all means...go back to the mall and check out that new Creed CD because there is nothing for you here. You've obviously on the cool-point welfare program and I'm all out of loaners.

If however, you're a fan of the groove, the blues, the synergy of jazz organs, hip-hop turntables and rump shaking soundscapes that trully push the envelope of what music is and where it's going, then allow me to spike the stimuli punch for you this week. Check out Medeski Martin & Wood: Best of the Blue Note years 1998 - 2005. For a couple extra bucks, it's definately worth getting the bonus DVD version also. Over 90 minutes of live, improvisational concert footage and documentaries to accompany what could be the best MMW compilation CD to date.

Also, if you're in the mood for a more traditional blues feel with some cornbred soul to pick up the pace for ya, be sure to check out Chris Wood's side project with his brother: The Wood Brothers: Ways Not To Loose.

These 2 CDs alone have more than made up for every junk CD I've purchased in the past 6 months. Enjoy!