TONIC - Medeski Martin & Woo

Medeski Martin & Wood: John Medeski (melodica, piano); Chris Wood (bass); Billy Martin (drums, mbira, percussion).Recorded live at Tonic, New York, New York from March 16-26, 1999. Includes liner notes by Frederico Cribiore.Personnel: John Medeski (melodica, piano); Billy Martin (drums, percussion).Recording information: Tonic, New York, NY (03/16/1999-03/26/1999).The first officially released live album by Medeski, Martin & Wood, as well as their first acoustic recording since their debut, Tonic captures the best of several 1999 performances at the small New York City club of the same name. The group's playing is a nice mix of outside, bop, and funky grooves, but the difference here is that Medeski is unable to rely on the electric organ to produce effects. That often means his lines are busier and more staccato than usual, and, especially on "Invocation" and "Thaw," he takes spirited flights into the avant-garde with chaotic yet controlled flurries of notes. The group's rhyth