Customer Reviews

Shack Man

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

It has been a about a year since I've listened to this, but putting it on now leaves me confident that I'll never leave these grooves on the shelf that long again. Maybe it is my 'fresh ears' coming back to it anew, but I never realized quite the extent of the magic achieved on this disc; I knew it was good then, but...!

On this album - there best to date even though they've 'dropped' several since - covers all the bases: funk, punk, jazz, hip-hop, even a spot of trickling ambience. For those who've not heard MMW before, it is hard to describe: picture the slammin'est hip-hop bass/drum combo you've ever heard paired with a keyboard player playing in three different keys which normally might be unnatractive but somehow it sounds so good that you just don't care! Yup, that's it...with just a tad more attitude than what you've envisioned.

The big wiinners on the disk are "Is there anyboddy here that love my jesus", "Dracula", "Strance of the spirit red gator", and "Night Marchers. The grooves are killer, the improv is intense, the three musicians have never sounded better, and the vibe is completely tight. No complaints.

Enjoy!

BUY THIS ALBUM!! It is the best MMW CD to date. Billy Martin is one of the most talented drummers in the business today. John Medeski has some of the most unique and interesting ogran/piano sounds ever to be heard. Chris Wood is also outstandig from start to finish.

p.s. If these guys ever come to your town do yourself a favor and check them out. They are an amazing live band.

For all of you who have heard about Medeski, Martin, and Wood's talents and great live shows, and want to see what all the hype is about, start here. Shack-Man is defenitely their most coherent effort. This CD made me want to go out a buy more of MMW.Shack-Man is filled with infectious grooves that will leave you with it's sounds stuck in your head all day. That's a good thing.

It cracks me up when I see people knock MMW. Especially when they say "try Miles or Lee Morgan instead" as one of these reviewers did. It's like comparing apples and oranges, and I'm sure MMW would tell you the same thing. Whereas Miles was changing the landscape of the music and Lee Morgan was an amazing and innovative trumpeter who has legions of followers, MMW are simply trying to make music that's fun to dance to. If their motives are more serious, it certainly doesn't come across that way. Shack-Man is, in my mind, their most fun release. There's no excursions into the avant-garde, like there were on Friday Afternoon in the Universe, or experiments with electronica and DJ's like on the dropper. I listen to this album to have a good time and not much else. If you look at this album as an attempt to be the next Kind of Blue, of course you'll be disappointed. But if you look to this album as the next Green Onions, you'll get your groove on and have a grand time doin' it.

MMW are geniuses. Their grooves dance in and out of jazz, funk, hip hop, and all out jams. Anyone who puts down their style has zero musical taste. They are the epitome of the jam band and are all individually talented musicians, combining for an explosion of creativity. I have yet to hear anything bad by them. This album was recorded in a little shack in hawaii, hence its name...and is the perfect starting point. If you like this, check out Combustication...which guest stars DJ Logic.

this was problably the 3rd mmw cd that i listened to and this was the cd that made me realize had amazing they are..
this album is the first one where mmw takes it to a more electronic, groovy sounding kind of level..

if you have just gotten into mmw, this is a cd that must be bought..

A DEFINITE HEAD BOPPER

What more can be said than another great cd from start to end with the awesome song bubblehouse stuck in the middle. If you get a chance to see them live, do, you wont regret the decision, they are one of the best jazz jam bands around.

Get this one!! The band comes out grooving from the first track until the very end. There is not a band tune on the disc. Some excellent songs include Night marhcers, Bubblehouse,etc.. If you havnt heard any MMW ever and would like to pick up a cd by them go with this one. Its got the catchiest melodies, the coolest bass lines, and the sickest fills. Overall its MMW at its best(with the exception of a live act).

I purchased this CD after a friend turned me on to a live recording of this material plus the fact that I Love A Go-Go by John Scofield. This music is a brilliant blend of jazz and greasy funk. If you are like me you will first be turned on by the eternal greasy groove and the quirky keyboard lines. Some of this album is jam and a little repetitive but it cooks so well that you don't seem to care. After I got past the funk and started really listening a little deeper I found a sense of great interplay and structure that develop in some of the tunes.
Billy Martin is one of my favorite drummers but he could frustrate most bass players by pushing and pulling the beat like a rubberband. Give credit to Chris Woods' since of feel, it can't be beat. John Medeski is......John Medeski! Who else could overdrive a clavinet through a wah pedal until it feedbacks? There are avant-garde moments throughout this disc but they're not overwhelming (like free jazz).

Tightly arranged---yet still experimental. This reeks of the islands, sun and sand and beautiful women. Telegraphically keyboarding the dopamine, serotonin to a new frenzy of dance, and thoughtfulness. Bubblehouse the anthem to which MMW will certainly explore again and again. A great listen, a must have for those seeking a vacation from the dull and mundane.
---Anthony hanley