Medeski Martin & Wood - Tonic (2000) [2026] LP

The avant-jazz-funk trio Medeski Martin & Wood – John Medeski on keys, Billy Martin on drums, and Chris Wood on bass – debuted on Blue Note in 1998 with the explosive Combustication which took Blue Note’s organ tradition to hitherto unforeseen realms. For their 2nd Blue Note album the band returned to their acoustic roots on the freewheeling 1999 live album Tonic recorded in their original piano/upright bass/drums configuration at the intimate and beloved Lower East Side NYC venue. The set featured the trio’s own adventurous originals like “Seven Deadlies” and “Rise Up” alongside covers of songs by Lee Morgan (“Afrique”), Bud Powell (“Buster Rides Again”), John Coltrane (“Your Lady”), and Jimi Hendrix (“Hey Joe”).
This stereo Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition was mastered by Kevin Gray and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.

Tracks:

01. Invocation (5:15)
02. Afrique (8:24)
03. Seven Deadlies (10:55)
04. Your Lady (9:13)
05. Rise Up (11:14)
06. Buster Rides Again (7:36)
07. Thaw (11:31)
08. Hey Joe (5:30)

Personnel:

John Medeski - piano, melodica
Billy Martin - drums, percussion, mbira
Chris Wood - bass
Recorded live at Tonic, New York on March 16-20 and 23-26, 1999.