Customer Reviews

Last Chance to Dance Trance (perhaps): Best of 1991-1996

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I often have issues with "best of" releases. Either just poor track selections or a failure for the tracks to merge into a cohesive whole. But that's not the case with Last Chance. It's excellent from start to finish and represents MMW very well.

MMW is a hip and modern jazz trio with a penchant for experimentation and funky beats. Their sound isn't for everyone. But if you're looking for something fresh and exciting, definitely grab this cd. It's a great intro to the group.

Although their music in constantly developing, this compilation is a good overview of the MMW sound.

The early 90's selections reveal MMW's jazz roots, and feature Medeski on acoustic piano. The other songs have Medeski on the thick and heavy tones of the Hammond organ (Chubb Subb has the tightest organ/string bass beat I've ever heard).

It's important to note that every song on this album reveals the group's hip hop influences. They approach every style of music, be it funk, jazz ballad, etc. with a "baboom boom kack!" kinda rhythm. Yet, MMW is not all rhythm and no melody, remember, they have jazz roots.

Their sound boils down to a combination of 3 main things: 1) the East Coast hip hop sense of rythym 2) an impeccably trained ear that can hear dissonance in jazz, or vice versa, and 3) virtuoso skill along with unselfishness among the members -this makes MMW who they are. In fact, any organ trio/jam band should have these 3 things if their worth their musical salt. MMW have them in abundance.

Check out: Soulive

This is a great album but I wouldn't recommend buying it. This album has a great assortment of songs which show off many of their older sides, but do not weave the wonderful stories their other complete albums do. I'd recommend buying either "It's a Jungle..." or "Shack man" and listen to it from start to finish a couple dozen times. Those are amazing experiences. Once you listen to those two, you will buy the rest of their music, and then have no need for this "greatest hits album."

Medeski, Martin and Wood are phenomenal. In the sense of true musicians of any genre, each demontrates exemplary technical skill - but check out what they do with Track 5 - "Is Anybody Here That Love My Jesus?". Old Wisdom peaks through the windows of these youthful souls and causes us to blink with wonder and delight. They do no less credit to the rest of their selections in this compiled CD.

Great stuff, these guys are turned on and they make it happen. I was fortunate enough to catch them at Wolftrap farm park a year or so ago... FRONT ROW, I couldn't believe. That said, I can plop this baby on the stereo, close my eyes... and I'm there all over again. Hardest working band around (I think). A total groove. I dig all their work.

What an amazing cd, you have all the best of MMW and the jazzy hip hop feel of good times. This cd should be owned by all jazz fans! totally sick!!!!!

BUBBLEHOUSE IS DOPE!

MMW are one of my fav jazz trios. Their creativity really deserves to be respected and appreciated under a 21st century jazz's prism. Even people like me that love bebop, hard-bop, fusion, and mainstream jazz will appreciate the kind of innovative jazz these three guys plays. Listen to same audio-clip previews here and I think your curiosity will be started.

It's late at night, a stiff drink, you put this album on. Immediately, you're descending the steps to the action inside. The speakeasy doors swing open, the cowboy at the saloon entry, the trio on the small dimly-lit stage thrashing fingers or sticks to their instruments. Notes rolling, popping, lilting and tilting. Audio constellations seen by your ears. Flickering like the candle on your table. Later, when it's over, the closing lights come on, you ascend the steps to the midnight street corner. Light a cigarette, flip your collar up, and enjoy the walk home.

If that sounds like a nice evening to you, get. this. album.

...most of this disc had to grow on me, like that hand-like parasite from the alien movies...and after awhile it did just that!!! they grabbed me by the throat and told me to pay attention!!! they on some jazz-fusion stuff, not as hard as herbie hancock's 'rockit' but related...in fact, they probably can be considered the next generation art-of-noise (a group i use to love back in the day!)...some of the music here really stands out, i'm glad to have this in my collection...

These guys are talented. The music is intense and complicated while smooth and groovin'. I am glad I bought this compilation rather than their whole collection. The musicians are awesome together, but individually they don't compare to the organ of Jimmy Smith and many other jazz musicians. So, for the MMW fan, check out some Jimmy, and for the Jimmy fan, give this modern groove trio a try.