Mago

Billy Martin | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 10, 2007)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Amulet Records
• ASIN: B000O3C55G
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #200,937 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Introducing Mago

2. Crustaceatron

3. Mojet

4. Apology

5. Bamboo Pants

6. Thundercloud

7. Bonfa

8. Safak

9. Miss Teardrop

10. Sycretism

11. L' Aventura

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Welcome back to the cathedral of groove. On his first duo album with drummer Billy Martin, John Medeski is glued to the organ, throwing outswatches of color from the keys while pumping out righteous bass lines with the foot pedals (making this, in a way, another trio effort by the Medeski Martin and Wood stalwarts). Though they permit themselves to push the envelope a bit in free-improv fashion and enjoy their share of eerie effects, Medeski and Martin are on familiar terrain most of the time in constructing funk-fueled tunes that shimmy and sway toward brainy-implosive rather than sweaty-explosive endings. But their offbeat timing schemes and the drummer's expansive palette of sounds and textures keep the music from becoming predictable. --Lloyd Sachs

Product Description

"John Medeski(is an) organist extraordinaire." - NPR

"With a steady base as one-third of the renowned experimental jazz trio Medeski, Martin and Wood, drummer Billy Martin has become one of the most forward-thinking, innovative, and influential percussionists in the music world." - All Music Guide

"Call us crazy, but MMW may be one of the great untapped resources in hip-hop. They develop ideas coolly and carefully, have an incredible sense of space, and when they improvise-with Medeski's keys skipping and dancing flirtatiously through Martin drums and Wood's elastic low-end--they do so together, pushing and teasing each other's solos rather than merely framing them." - Associated Press

"Medeski, Martin and Wood presents the possibilities of jazz to a generation familiar with the iPod, text messaging, and dubs. While traditionalists minimalize their musical merit, it remains difficult to ignore the trio's profound connection with contemporary culture." - All About Jazz

"MMW choose their ingredients carefully, having honed their search-and-deconstruct techniques to razor sharpness. The resultant...flavors-complicated, spicy, sweet, and sour-offer much to savor." - Rolling Stone

John Medeski and Billy Martin started their historic musical partnership over fifteen years ago when Martin invited Medeski to come to his Brooklyn loft studio and play duets. This session resulted in the formation of Medeski Martin and Wood in 1991. But, the two never forgot that initial two-hour jam session, and discussed making a duet record in the future. This is their first duet album together, and Medeski uses the Hammond B3 foot pedals as bass accompaniment to their unique, soulful groove inventions. This album contains several hooky funk tracks and a few intense exploratory improvisations that will blow anyone's socks off.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MM minus the W with an emphasis on the Martin, May 18, 2007

By 

Erik J. Malvick "Erik Malvick" (Davis, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mago (Audio CD)

I was surprised to see this album available as I hadn't paid close attention to what's going on in music, but as a MMW fan I was intrigued and picked it up.

The fact that Billy Martin kind of leads this effort interested me as he is always impressive live. Well this album doesn't disappoint in that regard.

As a whole the album does have an MMW feel a la "End of the World Party (Just In Case)". The melodies here, carried by John Medeski, don't quite have the jazz feel that earlier MMW albums had, but that is Ok. It is more of a groove album, and John Medeski uses his organ to fill in the bass parts as well...

However, the real showcase here is Billy Martin. His drumming adds in a jazzy layer through its varying tempos and the talent he shows. That really makes the album, and I think this is what Medeski and Martin intended, and they have succeeded. This is a side project that has been in discussion and the works for years. Fortunately, it was able to be made while The Wood Brothers were off doing their thing.

Ultimately, this a great album that when looked at amongst the catalog of MMW and side projects gives us a chance to have an album that really showcases the drummer.

4.0 out of 5 stars MMW fans shouldn't pass this one by, November 29, 2007

By 

The Delite Rancher (Phoenix, Arizona) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mago (Audio CD)

"Mago" is a great Medeski, Martin and Wood (MMW) side project. Perhaps 'side project' is too strong a descriptor given that it's MMW without Chris Wood. The sound is rewarding. Rather than reinvent the wheel, "Mago" is similar to what MMW has been doing on their regular albums for the past few years. Thus it will resonate with fans of "End of the World Party" and "Uninvisible." For the most part, the guys stick with their time tested formula of jazz, rock and funk. 'Crustaceatron' and 'Bamboo Pants' are two of the highlights. While most of the music is accessible, avant-garde is well represented by 'Introducing Mago,' 'Thundercloud' and 'L'Aventura.' These self-indulgent pieces will resonate with fans that enjoyed "Notes from the Underground" and "Farmer's Reserve." The musicians are in as fine a form as ever. At times, John Medeski forces the listener to do a musical double-take at what sounds like a bass. Billy Martin employs his typical arsenal of acoustic and electronic drums. "Mago" asks a million dollar question: can such a project be successful without Chris Wood? While it definitely works, the effectiveness is debatable. The potential listener might think that without Chis Wood, Billy Martin might come out more on the drums. Instead, "Mago" just sounds like MMW without a bass. It's not like Billy Martin was marginalized in MMW, waiting for a duo to truly express himself and musically actualize. "Mago" doesn't sound great because it lacks a bass, it works despite the absence of Chris Wood. Most likely, this dynamic would have been different had Medeski and Martin played music outside the MMW paradigm. Considering the benefits and drawbacks, "Mago" is a CD that deserves to be in any Medeski, Martin and Wood collection.