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End of the World Party (Just in Case) | 
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| Artist: Martin & Wood Medeski
Label: Blue Note Records
Category: Music
List Price: $11.99
Buy New: $11.39
You Save: $0.60 (5%)
New (11) Used (1) from $10.07
Rating:  49 reviews
Sales Rank: 90238
Media: LP Record
Discs: 2
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 12.4 x 12.2 x 0.4
UPC: 724359563312
EAN: 0724359563312
ASIN: B000269S50
Release Date: September 7, 2004
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 1 to 2 days
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| Tracks:
| • | Anonymous Skulls | | • | End of the World Party | | • | Reflector | | • | Bloody Oil | | • | New Planet | | • | Mami Gato | | • | Shine It | | • | Curtis | | • | Ice | | • | Sasa | | • | Midnight Poppies/Crooked Birds | | • | Queen Bee |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
With each successive album, Medeski Martin & Wood have become harder to pin down. Having long ago transcended their soulful organ-groove basics to enter a more expansive world of snappy beats and backbeats, eerie atmospheric effects, post-lounge riffing, and the occasional jazz overture, they occupy their own category. Produced by the Dust Brothers' John King (Beck's Odelay, the Beastie Boys' Paul's Boutique), End of the World Party (Just in Case) is an agreeably varied effort, ranging from the spacey effects and Middle Eastern taint of "Bloody Oil" (on which bassist Chris Wood lays down the lumber) to the sassy electric funk of "Sasa" (one of four tracks featuring guitarist Marc Ribot) to the wordless voice effects of the jaunty title track. As ever, John Medeski is equally at home referencing post-bop piano aces like Herbie Hancock, getting down on churning Hammond organ, and making like Stevie Wonder with his "Superstition"-style synth. Unlike some MMW records, this one wastes not: all 12 tracks clock in at around the four- or five-minute mark, and they flow together with consummate ease. --Lloyd Sachs
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| Customer Reviews: Read 44 more reviews...
 Oh so catchy July 4, 2008
As a long time fan of MMW, I have been disappointed with some of their post-Combustication work, but this CD has certainly revived my love of their funky hooks and fusion jazz. I play it alongside Herbie Hancock, Miles and John McLaughlin, and "End" never fails to draw me in. I especially like "Bloody Oil" and "New Planet" coming through back to back, and "Curtis" is a wonderfully uplifting tune that creeps up and then soars. The other noteworthy song is "Queen Bee" which feels like a sixties throwback and I can imagine the Doors jamming it out while Jim Morrison takes an extended break in the wings. It is more than gimmicks and hooks though as they develop their musical motifs and take chances, including some feedback that drives my more conservative wife crazy.
A psychedelic jazz masterpiece October 13, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Jazz purists probably hate this album. However, I think it is a masterpiece. Imagine a funky "In A Silent Way" by Miles Davis cut up in 4 minute snippets with some psychedelia thrown in for good measure. MMW have always been determined to go their own way for better or worse. In this case it is for the better. I wish they would do more music like this and keep pushing the envelope, jazz purists be damned. I love this album. If you have a soul you will love it, too!
 Funky atmospheric jazz April 17, 2007
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Having heard snippets of M&WM before I was intrigued by their sound but not enough to shell out for a disc. I came across a used copy at the local thrift shop(usually not a good sign)and bought a copy at the reduced price. Someone discarded it for a reason I thought but I couldn't resist being the audio junkie that I am. It took me several listens to warm up tho the music, mostly because of the spacey nature of the disc. The spacey atmospherics are enticing and inviting , the music teases and hints at what could be but unfortuantely doesn't quite fully deliver. The songs give you the feeling of being on a desolate landscape where suddenly urban groovesters appear. Take a listen to "New Planet" and you'll get my drift. The keyboards of John Medeski are enough to hook you in, sometimes jazzy, sometimes funky but always pulling you in. Richard "Groove" Holmes or Jimmy Smith he's not but then again who is? The title track, " End of the World Party" is a funky mix of jazz that projects gloom and happiness at once. I think that is part of what I don't like much about this disc, it has a sad lack luster appeal. "Ice" creates a nice balance between jazz and funk reminiscent of Herbie Hancock back in the day. The songs are sometimes outright jazz like on the excellent "Mami Gato," unfortuantely their are not enough songs like this as they spend most of their time trying to create a new niche in the jazz idiom. One of the best tracks that mixes elements of electronica, atmospheric jazz and funk is "Midnight Poppies/ Crooked birds" that has a bit of a Latin groove mixed in for good measure. If you like atmospheric jazz that is out there you might like this disc. For my tastes it just doesn't quite deliver but rather promises with moments or songs that have more than just a hook. If you like funky-atmospheric-jazz than this will be for you. However if you like traditional jazz you might stay away from this one. Not a great disc but it does promise enough to maybe keep an eye on their future development on future discs. In the end I would give this a 3.5 for taking the old and trying to create something new.
Wonderful, Chill Music July 4, 2006
2 out of 6 found this review helpful
This is possibly one of the greatest cd's to turn on and enjoy the music while studying or just having friends over. I thoroughly enjoy this album.
Refreshing May 10, 2006
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
Very interesting, a bit of a departure from the other albums they have. It is getting hard to put a label on their music, but thats what makes it so good. I have not purchased any new music for quit a while, so last week I picked up several albums this being one of them, along with Spicehouse and Zero7. I must say I love this CD, I have been playing every day in the car. The sound quality is fantastic, especially in headphones. This New York band has always been experimenting and building on their sound. I think they have come to a peak on this one. One thing is for sure, the musicianship is always top notch on all their albums, this is no exception. They have a more modern sound here Kind of Hip Hop - Trip Hop, whatever, but it sounds great. This album starts off with the strange "Anonymous skulls" and then moves into the great title track. The rest of the album seems to move in and out of trippy groves, experimental jazz and some interesting electronica. Some of my friends who are great people, but can't get out of their tiny musical worlds actually like this when I play it. It is nice to hear some fresh new music.
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