Medeski Martin & Wood Songs Ranked
Medeski Martin & Wood (or MMW) is an American jazz fusion band formed in 1991, consisting of John Medeski on keyboards, Billy Martin on drums, and Chris Wood on bass. The band is influenced by musical traditions including funk and hip hop and is known for an unconventional style sometimes described as “Avant-groove”. MMW has found moderate mainstream success, often working with guitarist John Scofield and touring on the jam band circuit. Medeski Martin & Wood’s first performances together were at the Village Gate, a popular New York jazz club. Though they started out with a more-or-less straightforward piano-bass-drums jazz setup, the threesome expanded their sound with unusual configurations. Their first album, Notes from the Underground, is a record of their entirely-acoustic era, but Medeski soon added electric piano (outfitted with distortion pedals and other effects), and began switching back and forth among Hammond organ, Clavinet, Mellotron and other keyboards. Wood alternated between stand-up and bass guitar, stuck paper behind his strings for a “snare” effect and occasionally employed a drumstick as a slide. Here are all of Medeski Martin & Wood songs ranked.
Don’t miss out on the music of Medeski Martin & Wood. Click below and listen to the timeless songs of this funk-jazz band..
10. Off the Table (Uninvisible, 2002)
“Medeski Martin and Wood and Uninvisible is just what the doctor ordered. Jazz with a touch of Hip-Hop soul! It’s like a superb RJD2 album with actual instruments in place of the wax and sporadic rhymes. This bodes well for the ear.”
9. Reliquary (Radiolarians 1, 2008)
“This is just an incredibly warm, joyous and fun jazz record, it does sound very 2000s, it kind of reminds me of kalimba. Regardless it doesn’t sour the experience at all.”
8. Smoke (Uninvisible, 2002)
“Their best song, noob, any real fan knows that their songs are so perfect, that the best song is entrely dependent on what mood you are in, and definitely not ‘by far'”
See more: Medeski Martin & Wood Albums Ranked
7. Professor Nohair (Radiolarians 1, 2008)
“I feel like Radiolarians I, II and III are some of MMW’s more underrated albums. I think it may be because they didn’t play the songs out as much as stuff in the past but its just as good as anything they’ve ever done. Oh and I sure do hope they get together again and make some more music!”
6. Where’s Sly? (It’s a Jungle in Here, 1993)
“This song really does have the feel of walking down a rainy NYC street or something. Or like you guys said, the awesome background music on a detective show in the city haha. What a great song!”
5. I Wanna Ride You (Uninvisible, 2002)
“This groove is so rad. And that Lowrey organ sounds fantastic! Really gives the group a unique sound. Love the little melodica reprise at the end.”
See more: The Meters Albums Ranked
4. Hey Joe (Tonic, 2000)
“This interpretation is so dynamic and thoughtful. This particular piano is really hot, and so are the mics.. You can hear the bench creak. Somebody’s digital Timex beeps twice at the top of the hour at 2:27. Just awesome.”
3. The Dropper (The Dropper, 2000)
“MMW’s metamorphosis started right here. The Dropper took on a more loud, distorted approach than its predecessor, Combustication, also a fantastic album. This album kept moving, with high speeds and some killer grooves.”
2. Let’s Go Everywhere (Let’s Go Everywhere, 2008)
“‘Let’s Go Everywhere’ is a reworked version of the classic ‘I’ve Been Everywhere.’ Most are familiar with the Country tune through Hank Snow or Johnny Cash. As done by MMW, the song is a funky call to travel. The ditty will travel on a loop through any listener’s mind, long after the stereo is turned off.”
1. End of the World Party (End of the World Party, 2004)
“This is an addictive record by Medeski, Martin, and Wood! A great party album for New Year’s Eve background music. If you like Funk, Jazz, something with great groves you will love this album. These are excellent musicians and song writers.,”
