The band draws on influences from a number of musical traditions, from funk to Hip Hop, and is known for an unconventional style sometimes described as "avant-groove".
MMW has found moderate mainstream success—often working with noted guitarist John Scofield—and touring on the jam band circuit.
The band members were introduced to each other by jazz drummer Bob Moses, who had performed with Medeski and Wood , and was Martin's instructor.
Medeski Martin & Wood's first performances together were at the Village Gate, a popular New York jazz club. They were initially an acoustic jazz trio, but Medeski added a Hammond organ when the difficulties of touring with a piano became apparent. Their first album, Notes from the Underground, is a record of their entirely-acoustic era. All of their subsequent albums reveal Medeski's use of a wide variety of keyboards, including mellotron, melodica, and a clavinet. Wood entirely eschewed the electric bass for MMW's first three albums, and still relies heavily on the acoustic upright bass in recordings and during live performances. Their earlier albums reveal a Hip Hop influenced updating of classic soul jazz sounds, which is the primary theme of their well-known 1996 album, Shack-man.
The band received some of their first significant exposure outside of the New York City jazz scene by performing with Phish at their October 14, 1995 concert, which led to the association of the group as a jam band.[1] In addition, their performance on John Scofield's 1997 album A Go Go helped to further their exposure. The band collaborated further with Scofield again in 2006, releasing the album Out Louder under the name Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood. This was the first album released on MMW's own Indirecto Records.
From 1998–2005, MMW were signed to leading jazz label Blue Note Records, and showed them delving deeper into dense, electronic funk than their earlier albums, although the band continued to experiment with free jazz and free improvisation both on their albums and in concert.
Medeski Martin & Wood's live performances are renowned for their exploratory nature. Their concerts usually involve extended improvisations, which may be both arrhythmic and atonal, an aspect of their musicianship that is rarely documented in the studio. They occasionally tour using only acoustic instruments, reverting back to the instrumentation that they began their career with. Their album Tonic is an example of these more contemporary acoustic performances. They have also done short tours of entirely improvisatory performances. These shows usually consisted of two sets of improvisation, followed by an encore of a song from an album.
Their song "End of the World Party" was featured on the show Grey's Anatomy and can be found on the show's soundtrack.
Each of the trio's three members are involved in a large music community, and have participated in numerous side projects over the years.
In 2001 John Medeski collaborated with the North Mississippi Allstars and slide-guitarist Robert Randolph; together, these five musicians formed The Word, a bluesy gospel band. They released one self-titled album and toured extensively.
Beginning around 2005 Chris Wood formed The Wood Brothers with his brother, blues guitarist Oliver Wood. They have released several albums to date and continue to tour and record together.
In 2007 John Medeski and Billy Martin released an album as a duo, called Mago. They performed that material together at the 2007 Bonnaroo Music Festival
Big TIme
Medeski Martin and Wood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So, I keep lemon soap
Walking round the crib in white robes
Like the fucking Pope
Scoring champ D. Wade the way a nigga coast to coast
We'd be even more up
If shit went how it's 'posed to go
Yeah
Black Power fist, for every swastika
Aye why State Trooper trucks got white hoods like the Klan
I don't got no further theories on that shit dawg
I'm just saying
So if they crucified Cube for making us our own plan
Then they gone always kill the man who tryna be his own man
Since fish crawled on land
My hand was above they hand
Top bunk in the pen
My mans was above they mans, damn
Just like Daniel, I got lions in the den
I'm a child of the flame
I let that fire touch my skin
Bet money on yo name every time
And you gone win
I charged it to the game got flyer miles to Japan
I'm just stuffing cones
Time up top is often spent alone
I ain't usually one to take shots nigga
But when in Rome
Been the King like BB
Feel like the thrill is gone
Freshest nigga out since 3-6 was riding spinning chrome
My fingers crush a lotta dope
So, I keep lemon soap
Walking round the crib in white robes
Like the fuckin Pope
Scoring champ D. Wade the way a nigga coast to coast
We'd be even more up
If shit went how it's posed to go
You just got to ride the wave
Row the boat
Got to ride the wave
wherever that bitch fucking go
You just got to ride the wave, row the boat
Got to ride that fucking wave
Yeah
You just got to ride the wave
Row the boat
Got to ride the wave
wherever that bitch fucking go
You just got to ride the wave, row the boat
Got to ride that fuckin wave
I can't seem to find where my mind went
I just feel it's my time and
I'm in love with just grinding
I know you wish I had more
But that's just not what I'm made of
I'm just here with my dogs
I wish I could give you my all
The lyrics to "Big Time" by Medeski Martin and Wood are open to interpretation, but they paint a picture of someone living a lavish lifestyle marked by drug involvement and personal success. The opening lines suggest the singer's involvement in the drug trade, with their fingers crushing drugs and the need for lemon soap, possibly to clean away any evidence. The mention of walking around the house in white robes, like the Pope, adds to the image of grandeur and power.
The next lines mention D. Wade, referring to basketball player Dwyane Wade and his ability to coast to coast, scoring effortlessly. The singer laments that they could have had even more success if things had gone as they were supposed to. There is an allusion to racial tensions when the singer questions why state trooper trucks have white hoods like the Ku Klux Klan, indicating that they are questioning the intentions of law enforcement. Additionally, the idea that someone who tries to be independent and have their own identity will always face opposition is explored.
The lyrics then shift to personal experiences and growth. References to being above others and surviving in tough environments, similar to the biblical story of Daniel in the lion's den, highlight the singer's resilience. They proudly declare themselves as a child of the flame, suggesting they have been forged through challenges. The mention of betting money on someone's name and charging experiences to the game illustrate their confidence and willingness to take risks.
The final verses express a sense of determination and self-awareness. The singer acknowledges that their mind may wander, but they feel it's their time to shine. They are in love with the grind and appreciate the support of their friends and allies, even though they may not be able to give their all.
Overall, "Big Time" explores themes of power, success, resilience, racial tensions, and self-discovery.
Line by Line Meaning
My fingers crush a lotta dope
I am highly skilled and productive in my work
So, I keep lemon soap
I take precautions to stay clean and avoid negative influences
Walking round the crib in white robes
I have a sense of power and authority in my own space
Like the fucking Pope
I feel like a respected and influential figure
Scoring champ D. Wade the way a nigga coast to coast
I achieve great success and dominate in my field
We'd be even more up
We would be even more successful
If shit went how it's 'posed to go
If everything happened according to plan
Yeah
Expressing agreement or affirmation
I hit the track, beat the obstacles
I overcome challenges and succeed
Black Power fist, for every swastika
I stand up against hate and oppression
Aye why State Trooper trucks got white hoods like the Klan
Questioning the symbolism of certain vehicles' appearances
I don't got no further theories on that shit dawg
I don't have any more explanations or ideas about that
I'm just saying
I'm just expressing my thoughts or observations
So if they crucified Cube for making us our own plan
If they punished Cube for promoting self-determination
Then they gone always kill the man who tryna be his own man
They will always target those who strive for independence
Since fish crawled on land
Since the beginning of human existence
My hand was above they hand
I had more control or power than others
Top bunk in the pen
Having a higher status or position in prison
My mans was above they mans, damn
My friends were superior to theirs
Just like Daniel, I got lions in the den
Like Daniel, I face dangerous challenges or enemies
I'm a child of the flame
I am born from a passionate and determined spirit
I let that fire touch my skin
I embrace my passions and let them drive me
Bet money on yo name every time
I have great faith and confidence in you
And you gone win
And you will succeed
I charged it to the game got flyer miles to Japan
I accept the ups and downs of life and have experienced great journeys
I'm just stuffing cones
I am focused on my own interests and goals
Time up top is often spent alone
Being in a higher position often leads to isolation
I ain't usually one to take shots nigga
I don't usually criticize or attack others
But when in Rome
But in certain situations or circumstances
Been the King like BB
I have been a dominant figure like BB King
Feel like the thrill is gone
I feel like the excitement or passion has faded
Freshest nigga out since 3-6 was riding spinning chrome
I am the most stylish and innovative since a specific time period
You just got to ride the wave
You simply have to go with the flow
Row the boat
Keep pushing forward and stay determined
Got to ride the wave
You must embrace the changing circumstances
wherever that bitch fucking go
Wherever life takes you
Yeah
Expressing agreement or affirmation
I can't seem to find where my mind went
I feel lost or confused mentally
I just feel it's my time and
I have a strong intuition that it is my moment to shine
I'm in love with just grinding
I have a passion for hard work and perseverance
I know you wish I had more
I understand that you desire for me to have greater success
But that's just not what I'm made of
But that's not my innate nature or capability
I'm just here with my dogs
I am simply present and loyal to my close companions
I wish I could give you my all
I desire to provide my utmost effort or support to you
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Kordell Boykins, Matthew Holbrook
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bsubz
Bravo. A brilliant performance, much praise for Billy Martin, such an emotional yet refined style. MMW defines musicianship, within and beyond the boundaries of rock and jazz
@heqitao
I love these guys. I was put onto them by a friend of mine several years ago. I would really like to see them live. They are truly inspiring to an aspiring jazz musician.
@MattFinstein
I would say considering all the great instrumental acts out there, all the monster jazz musicians who are just scraping by.... these guys are among the most appreciated. All 3 are millionaires. They deserve it .......their killin' !
@skywise404
I saw them live once back around 92ish. They opened for Phish. Saw them again at Austin City Limits 09 and they were just as great, if not better. Still an amazing live band.
@colorblindfool
great band. they're so amazing live. a computer screen just doesn't do them justice.
@Rudreax
I'm not a big fan of the whole jam band concept, but there's no denying that these guys are monsters when it comes to music.
@Scooternew22591
I love their fusion of jazz and funk - it's relaly nice, very improvisational yet very technical at the same time
@lazulitooth
love seeing them live, john medeski is a madman
@daniellllll45419
Martin is such a good drummer !!!!!!
@brunoleo34
I can hear echos of pioneer albums like Miles Davis´ "In a Silent Way" in their sound. They´re very talented musicians.