Medeski Martin & Wood

You'll hear such moody, united rythym that breaks right out of tangents to follow straight, hard, funk grooves or drum and bass jams. I love the play between the members. The focus of the album is that: loose tangents and avant-garde, dark sounds bursting into tight grooves. Some of the sounds are so touching they'll make you want to cry. John Medeski's reverb piano solo in "Last Chance to Dance Trance" makes me feel like I'm waltzing at a royal ball with the most beautiful woman ever touched. "Chinoiserie" has a loose jazz sound until the trio snaps into a united climax and Billy Martin takes a solo on drums. Fans of trio's, the ultimate setting for quality musicians, will immeaditely see the beauty in this recording. missing it would be a real goddamn shame. This is a testiment to the beauty of the Jamband scene. Imagine the strongest jazz rhythm section you can (bass, drums, keys), get rid of all the superfluous stuff that usually hides them (vocals, guitars, and light shows), and then let 'em get nice and funky. MMW are only about advancing their groove, with an egoless melding that baffles the mind. Each of the plays so loosely, yet together they offer something that's incredibly well structured. Friday Afternoon In The Universe is one of the most catchy, funky jazz release I know. Instead of touching your mind, this music moves your body. The music is complex and easy to listen at the same time. Highly recommended to curious listeners and jazz enthusiast as well