MEDESKI MARTIN AND WOOD — Radiolarians II (review)

MEDESKI MARTIN AND WOOD — Radiolarians II album cover Album · 2009 · Eclectic Fusion Buy this album from MMA partners
4.5/5 ·
M.Neumann
The renowned keyboard-bass-drum combo from Brooklyn continues to defy anything approaching conventional logic, and at this stage in the band's ongoing two-decade long career I'm ready to admit they can do no wrong.

Volume Two of the trio's otherwise unrelated instrumental trilogy of albums offers another eclectic mix of mismatched but not uncomplimentary styles: space-rock improvisation, acoustic acid-jazz psychedelia, toe-tapping trip hop beats, and free-form instant composition, all fused into a unique and singular style. The ten selections here, together with Part One (and presumably the as-yet unheard Volume III), not only set a new creative benchmark for such an already wildly idiosyncratic group, but also breathe a gust of fresh air into the stale conventions of Jazz-Rock Fusion.

The new album is more immediately aggressive than its predecessor, beginning with the unexpected assertiveness of "Flat Tires" (fans of mid-'70s Magma and King Crimson are hereby put on alert), and continuing with the inner-city film noir soundtrack of "Junkyard". Beatnik groove fests follow jarring Post-Rock improvs follow swinging Jazz-Funk dance exercises, all composed and played with disarming grace and virtuosity, not to mention a playful sense of humor: listen to the seemingly spontaneous "ijiji" (among others) for proof.

As it was in Part One, the music here was fleshed out in front of an audience while on tour before the trio even approached a recording studio, giving the subsequent album(s) all the energy and vitality of a live recording. And after such a challenging set of original music the smoky late-night blues of "Baby Let Me Follow You Down" is the perfect cushion for a soft landing: pure magic, and (almost) entirely acoustic.

Onwards now to Part Three, and what promises to be the final chapter of a potential five-star trilogy.
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Jazz Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

JMA TOP 5 Jazz ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
A Love Supreme Post Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
Kind of Blue Cool Jazz
MILES DAVIS
Buy this album from our partners
The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady Progressive Big Band
CHARLES MINGUS
Buy this album from our partners
Blue Train Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
My Favorite Things Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners

New Jazz Artists

New Jazz Releases

Lee Ritenour & Dave Grusin : Brasil Latin Jazz
LEE RITENOUR
Buy this album from MMA partners
From The North - Gogo Penguin Live In Manchester Nu Jazz
GOGO PENGUIN
Buy this album from MMA partners
Anthony Braxton Saxophone Quartet : Sax QT (Lorraine) 2022 Avant-Garde Jazz
ANTHONY BRAXTON
Buy this album from MMA partners
Sean Khan Presents The Modern Folk & Jazz Ensemble Nu Jazz
SEAN KHAN
Buy this album from MMA partners
Yass Big Band : imMATHEMATICS Eclectic Fusion
TYMAŃSKI YASS ENSEMBLE / YASS BIG BAND
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Jazz Online Videos

Fall
SUNNY KIM
js· 8 hours ago
Twilight
RANDY SCOTT
js· 1 day ago
Trifecta - Beck and Call - official video (taken from The New Normal)
TRIFECTA
js· 2 days ago
Phoenix
GRÉGORY PRIVAT
js· 2 days ago
Karrin Allyson EPK for NEW Album "A Kiss For Brazil" Available May 17, 2024 ©Origin Records
KARRIN ALLYSON
js· 2 days ago
More videos

New JMA Jazz Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Jazz News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed