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). Recorded at Shacklyn Studios, Brooklyn, Bearsville Studios, Bearsville and The Magic Shop, New York, New York. 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.
Disc 1: Uninvisible I Wanna Ride You Your Name Is Snake Anthony Pappy Check Take Me Nowhere Retirement Song Ten Dollar High Where Have You Been? Reprise Nocturnal Transmission Smoke First Time Long Time The Edge Of Night Off The Table