Is There Anybody Here That Love My Jesus - Medeski, Martin & Wood, Traditional
The Lover
Where's Sly? - Medeski, Martin & Wood, Medeski, John
Macha
Beeah
Strance of the Spirit Red Gator
Bemsha Swing/Lively Up Yourself - Medeski, Martin & Wood, Best, Denzil
Dracula
Night Marchers [#]
It's really no wonder the trio of John Medeski, Billy Martin, and Chris Wood hit it big with the improv-rock crew. Their grooves are impeccable and strong, at once taut and fully limber. And this collection shows that MMW ... more »knew their grooves even on their minor-splash debut, Notes from the Underground in the early 1990s, when Medeski played mainly piano. The tracks here range from organ-driven rhythmic twisters to slinky reggae covers ("Bemsha Swing/Lively Up Yourself," taken from 1993's It's a Jungle in Here) and all-out keyboard blasters built on loopy jazz-fusion rhythms (as on "Beeah"). Reprising the material that predates MMW's astonishingly successful Combustication, this album reveals a trio that has managed to combine grooves, postbop improvisation, and stellar talent without flinching from their first recorded outing. That you can catch the highlights of their first five releases--plus an unreleased live "Night Marchers"--on this one CD is a boon. --Andrew Bartlett« less
It's really no wonder the trio of John Medeski, Billy Martin, and Chris Wood hit it big with the improv-rock crew. Their grooves are impeccable and strong, at once taut and fully limber. And this collection shows that MMW knew their grooves even on their minor-splash debut, Notes from the Underground in the early 1990s, when Medeski played mainly piano. The tracks here range from organ-driven rhythmic twisters to slinky reggae covers ("Bemsha Swing/Lively Up Yourself," taken from 1993's It's a Jungle in Here) and all-out keyboard blasters built on loopy jazz-fusion rhythms (as on "Beeah"). Reprising the material that predates MMW's astonishingly successful Combustication, this album reveals a trio that has managed to combine grooves, postbop improvisation, and stellar talent without flinching from their first recorded outing. That you can catch the highlights of their first five releases--plus an unreleased live "Night Marchers"--on this one CD is a boon. --Andrew Bartlett
"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."
Jazz and hip hop meet
MidwestPlains | 05/07/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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"
MMW AMAZING!
Bryan Palmer | Syracuse New York | 10/03/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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!"
Jim Wilke, of Jazz Afterhours on PRI, play this CD!
pearldragon1 | 01/27/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
Massive sonic exposure
pearldragon1 | 07/28/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."