Billy Martin & John Medeski - Mago
ARTIST.....: Billy Martin & John Medeski
TITLE......: Mago
LABEL......: Amulet
URL........: http://www.amuletrecords.com/CATALOG/amt026/amt026.htm
RIP DATE...: Sep-25-2007
STORE DATE.: Apr-10-2007
GENRE......: Avantgarde
QUALITY....: VBR / 44.1Hz / Joint-Stereo
SIZE.......: 72,3 MB
Track Listing:
01 - Introducing Mago 05:54
02 - Crustaceatron 04:36
03 - Mojet 03:58
04 - Apology 05:04
05 - Bamboo Pants 04:24
06 - Thundercloud 03:32
07 - Bonfa 04:10
08 - Safak 03:48
09 - Miss Teardrop 03:20
10 - Sycretism 02:09
11 - L'Aventura 08:30
12 - Bamboo Pants (Short And Raw Version) 02:37
─────
52:02 min
Release Notes:
Two-thirds of the famed avant-garde jazz-groove fusion trio
Medeski, Martin & Wood celebrate a nearly two-decade long
relationship on this free for all, high-spirited collection of
duets recorded in July of 2006. While there is no question that
Martin is an inventive drummer and few can top Medeski for pure
Hammond B-3 genius, the two launch their unique side project in a
strangely off-putting way. If the frenetic, melody free and
insanity-filled opening track is "Introducing Mago," then Mago is
a schizophrenic, loudmouthed character who won't make many
friends. Fortunately, the two settle down into something that
resembles sensible music for most of the rest of the set, building
a cool, hypnotic groove on "Crustaceatron" that is trippy and out
there, but at least more conventionally structured. They finally
hit pay dirt on the jumpy and playful "Mojet," which -- like the
similarly throbbing "Bamboo Pants" -- sounds like a throwback to
the funky old-school soul-jazz of Booker T. & the M.G.'s, with a
few modern, percussive twists. They then take the listener to
church for a spell on the brooding "Apology." Most of the
collection is both engaging and inventive, but of course --
knowing that it's the true fans who will be listening -- Martin
and Medeski choose another wacky, crazymaking assault to close the
set, this one titled "L'Aventura." The recommendation for all who
are not in the cult of M,M&W and thus won't forgive them their
indulgences: skip the opener and closer and get grooving with the
cool stuff in between.