Medeski Martin Wood

Scofield Is Joined By Medeski, Martin & Wood For This Collaborative Album Of Avant-Jazz-funk Music.

John Scofield owes a great deal to Medeski, Martin & Wood for the success of A Go Go. The piano/organ, bass, and drum playing trio adds a world of bouncing vibes to Scofield's inquisitive, happy guitar work here. A Go Go is an album of mostly breezy, sometimes tense, jam-based grooves. The album's charm is in its city meets the tropics feel. The four players create such a warm, vibrant sound that resisting the urge to tap one's feet along with the beat becomes a near impossibility. - All Music Guide

After making rock history with Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker in Cream, legendary British bassist Jack Bruce joined the Lifetime for two records thus serving as Spectrum Road's direct connection to their muse. The group is artfully rounded out by famed guitarist Vernon Reid, of Living Colour, and multi-keyboardist John Medeski, one-third of the juggernaut Medeski, Martin & Wood.

Made famous by her ten plus years backing Lenny Kravitz, Cindy Blackman Santana has distinguished herself as an impressively versatile player who's as comfortable on post-bop sessions with Joe Henderson and Wallace Roney as she is touring with pop stars like Kravitz and husband Carlos Santana. The formidable line-up of Spectrum Road assures the legacy of Tony Williams lives on, and clearly qualifies as a major 2012 music event.

Originally released in 1998, Combustication is the fifth major album by the experimental jazz trio Medeski, Martin & Wood. Recorded at The Magic Shop in New
York City, this is the first MMW album to include a turntablist - DJ Logic. Combustication will be reissued on 2 LPs as part of an overall Blue Note 75th
anniversary vinyl reissue campaign spearheaded by current Blue Note Records President, Don Was.

"He is the future to carry on the legend, the legacy of the organ, of the B-3." - Dr. Lonnie Smith

When Wil Blades sits down at the Hammond B3, count on inspired music to follow. The 34-year old, Chicago-native, Berkeley-based artist is a cornerstone organist of his generation-a modern voice in a lineage that includes giants like Richard "Groove" Holmes, Charles Earland and Brother Jack McDuff.

Having studied at the feet of the legendary Dr. Lonnie Smith and played alongside the likes of John Lee Hooker, Melvin Sparks and Idris Muhammad, Blades has absorbed the spirit of the masters. His extensive collaborations also reflect the high regard in which he's held by contemporaries, including Stanton Moore, Anders Osborne and Nicholas Payton.
Having released a critically acclaimed co-led duo album Shimmy with Medeski Martin & Wood drummer Billy Martin in 2012, Blades returns with a deeply soulful and sinuous nine-track effort, Field Notes, on which he's found fronting his own trio featuring Tortoise guitarist Jeff Parker and New Orleans' drummer Simon Lott.

From the recording's outset, it's easy to picture Blades fingers free-flowing across the keys, feet gliding along the bass pedals in a continuous dance. Syncopation drives songs like "Miller's Time" and "Addis" as the trio locks in tight to a relentless groove. But there's also a refined harmonic vision and deep affection for melody on tracks like "(I Can't Stand) The Whole Lott of You" and "Dewey" where Blades' Clavinet adds a fresh sonic dimension to the proceedings. Shades of psychedelia are weaved within "Parks 'N' Wreck," while a tip of the hat to vintage soul jazz balladry informs "Forgetful" and classic pop swing is at the heart of "I Get The Blues When It Rains."

In its sum, Field Notes is a masterful statement from an artist who's poised to keep the timeless sound of the Hammond B3 organ as vital and compelling today as it's ever been in the history of modern jazz and rock.

Produced by drummer/producer Billy Martin, the nine tracks feature guest artists including Medeski Martin & Wood, Marc Ribot, Ornette Coleman, John Zorn, Lee Ranaldo, Flea and Mickey Hart among others.