Track Listing

1. Beeah
2. Where's Sly?
3. Shuck It Up
4. Sand
5. Worms
6. Bemsha Swing/Lively Up Yourself
7. Mo Ti Mo
8. It's a Jungle in Here
9. Syeeda's Song Flute
10. Wiggly's Way

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #148256 in Music
• Brand: Martin
• Released on: 1993-10-19
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

Amazon.com
Pouring their jazz out of a postmodern blender, Medeski Martin & Wood reference Sly Stone, King Sunny Ade and John Coltrane on the same album; Thelonious Monk and Bob Marley in the same song ("Bemsha Swing-Lively Up Yourself"). And it works: By turn funky ("Beeah," "Shuck It Up") and avant garde ("Worms"), thoughtful ("Moti Mo," "Sand") and over-the-top ("Where's Sly?"), MMW know that for music to matter, it must reflect its time--and "to entertain" is not an evil verb phrase. This piano/organ, bass and drums trio (joined here by top-flight special guests on brass, woodwinds and guitar) is the voice of Future Jazz--and you can hear it now. --Suzanne McElfresh

From the Label
A look at the sources of MM&W's covers (King Sunny Ade, John Coltrane, Bob Marley and Thelonious Monk) gives a perfect sense of the trio's highly charged, all-encompassing groove. This Gramavision debut reveals a subtle sense of orchestration, as several tracks are enhanced by the presence of the Groove Collective horn section and guitarist Mark Ribot. There is also plenty of the trademark MM&W fire on the album that started the buzz on this band in earnest.

Customer Reviews

This album is IT
I never picked up this album in my four years of listening to MMW until this year. And that, I regret. The album blows my mind. The first track, Beeah is a killer start to the whole sound. Bemsha Swing/Lively up Yourself is probably my favorite track on the whole album.
Words do not do this sound justice. If you like medeski, and also like the sounds of the older jazz (ie Miles Quintet, late 1960's free jazz) this one will definately become a quick favorite.
Super tight, real deep grooves. The feel that these musicians have for eachother is amazing.

The most funkadelicious piece of music ever.
Pound for pound, you don't get anymore talent than these guys. Phenomenal musicians, with chops and style like no others. This album swings, it grooves, it's -->FUNKAY<--. A versatile group of songs, inspired by the fevered minds of three great talents, rooted in the discipline of jazz. A sonic journey. This album capture's MMW's evolution from the straight jazz of the likes of Coltrane to the funkadelicious style that is all their own. It's a jungle in here.

A good song collection
The song 'Where's Sly' was my first introduction to Medeski Martin and Wood. It remains a favorite of mine. This CD is a very good listen, with the band in fatback groove mode. Check out the medly of 'Lively Up Yourself' and 'Bemsha Swing.' The humor and musicianship of this band is amazing. They always remind me that jazz was originally dance music.