John Medeski, Billy Martin and Chris Wood have been writing and playing quality music together for nearly two decades. So it's saying a lot whenever I proclaim that the recent three part Radiolarians series, that came to a close with the August 4th release of Radiolarians III, has been a rejuvenation of sorts for this long tenured, yet highly inventive jazz trio. The series is noteworthy not just because of the fantastic tracks that fill all three discs, but just as much because of the innovative recording process the band has decided to implement. Rather than recording the music for the albums before touring in support of them, MMW has decided to tour with their newly written songs and then head into the studio to record them afterwards. Whether you like the band’s recording methods or not, it’s hard to argue with the results. Each album is filled with genre crossing, yet firmly rooted compositions. It’s the kind of music that can take you from the old west to the deep south without ever becoming too self absorbed and subsequently losing you on the way there. I must say that I was rather indifferent about MMW’s music before, but once I got a hold of the Radiolarians series I was converted into a true fan. Modern jazz has never looked so promising.
Radiolarians III may seem a little less adventurous than the previous two installments upon first listen, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of satisfyingly daring numbers found here. The album opens with the improv jive of “Chantes Des Femmes,” which gets the record started in high gear, that is until the group decides to shift down for the latter part of the song. The change of pace toward the end of the first song is a perfect way to lead into the more somber, and slightly eerie, “Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down” which itself breaks into an electric and more upbeat posture before its finish. “Kota” follows closely behind and is definitely one of the more adventurous takes on the album. Mixing haunting piano work with sporadic pounding of the keys on top of various stringed instruments of various origins, “Kota” rises and falls as it begins to stray away from any type of real solid ground, yet somehow it never seems to lose my interest throughout its nine minute run time - which actually makes it the longest song featured in the Radiolarians series.
The rest of the album features a more upbeat and overall positive disposition.
From the sublime keyboard work of “Won Ton” to the jolly musings of “Walk Back,” MMW decided to end their three part series a little more lightheartedly than it started. The exception is the slower paced, “Broken Mirror” which allows Medeski’s piano work to shine on top of a memorable Wood bassline. A bassline that stays ever persistent through the tenure of the track. It’s one of the more enjoyable songs on the album and earns the title of my favorite song off of III. The final track, “Gwyra Mi” sends the Radiolarians series off in funky fashion. A song that’s highlighted more than anything by a spectacular drum solo by Martin, who ends the album and the series with some of the fiercest drumming I’ve heard from the legendary musician.
While Radiolarians III may not be the best album in the series, that honor goes to II in my opinion, it’s without a doubt a worthy addition to the series as a whole; a series that has not only rejuvenated the sound of MMW, but one that also seems to have put the group on the map again. It’s not hard for a band that has been around as long as Medeski, Martin and Wood have to eventually lose a bit of relevancy over time. But from what I’ve noticed, the group seems to be as popular as ever and a number of people are latching on to the Radiolarians series just as I have. Radiolarians III is an album that’s worth your time, jazz fan or not. Though if you haven’t already purchased the first two installments you might want to wait until the Radiolarians box set comes out later this year. For anyone wanting to start listening to modern improvisational jazz music but doesn’t know where to start, I offer no better starting point than this three part series. If anything has better cross over appeal in the genre I don’t know what it would be.
"Radiolarians III" is on sale August 4, 2009 from Indirecto.
