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
Down On Me
Medeski Martin and Wood Lyrics
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But I can't let em do that shit
These niggas looking like some clowns
The way they love to joke and shit
Don't care if people stick around
Cause either way ima talk my shit
I'm really goated in yo town
The way they love to play my shit
With a new bitch
She get nasty for me
Top me up she really do this
I don't give a fuck I'm poppin shit
Because I'm too lit
Niggas think I'm done
But watch me shock em with this new shit
Got a couple racks on me
These bitches they want me
Flyer than a jet
Dripped up
Gucci on me
I ain't made it yet
But these people swear they know me
Yeah young nigga been a vet
And these niggas way below me
I said fuck all of my enemies
I'm finna run it up
Niggas know that they ain't real as me
I'm tryna fuck it up
Yeah I'm stuck up in my ways
But can't nobody else say
That I ain't been real from the start no way
Fuck this shit I gotta get dough
I told her quit calling my phone
I ain't loving no thottie
Yeah you know that that's fasho
I'm making all this money
I ain't going back broke
When I'm running up these numbers
I know all these niggas know
These bitches tryna tear me down
But I can't let em do that shit
These niggas looking like some clowns
The way they love to joke and shit
Don't care if people stick around
Cause either way ima talk my shit
I'm really goated in yo town
The way they love to play my shit
I just got a new whip
With a new bitch
She get nasty for me
Top me up she really do this
I don't give a fuck I'm poppin shit
Because I'm too lit
Niggas think I'm done
But watch me shock em with this new shit
Damn I'm losing all my patience
I'm so tired of waiting
I'm been tryna make it
But these pussy niggas hating
Bitch I'm tryna be the greatest
Putting numbers up like matrix
Niggas talking shit
But I don't hear a word they saying
Fuck this shit I gotta get dough
I told her quit calling my phone
I ain't loving no thottie
Yeah you know that that's fasho
I'm making all this money
I ain't going back broke
When I'm running up these numbers
I know all these niggas know
These bitches tryna tear me down
But I can't let em do that shit
These niggas looking like some clowns
The way they love to joke and shit
Don't care if people stick around
Cause either way ima talk my shit
I'm really goated in yo town
The way they love to play my shit
I just got a new whip
With a new bitch
She get nasty for me
Top me up she really do this
I don't give a fuck I'm poppin shit
Because I'm too lit
Niggas think I'm done
But watch me shock em with this new shit
The lyrics to "Down On Me" by Medeski Martin and Wood convey a sense of defiance and confidence in the face of criticism and negativity. The singer acknowledges that there are people trying to bring them down, but they refuse to let that affect them. They dismiss the haters as clowns and express their determination to speak their mind regardless of who stands by them. The lyrics also boast about the singer's success and status within their community, as they mention driving a new car, being with a new partner, and receiving attention for their music.
The singer portrays a sense of self-assurance and pride in their accomplishments, asserting that they are highly regarded in their town and that their music is popular. They exude a sense of swagger and bravado, claiming to be too lit and ready to surprise others with their new material. The references to money, designer clothes, and living a lavish lifestyle further emphasize the singer's confidence in their abilities and success. The repeated refrain of not caring about others' opinions and continuing to talk their shit reinforces their determination to stay true to themselves.
As the lyrics progress, the singer expresses frustration with those who doubt or criticize them, feeling impatient and tired of waiting for their success. Despite facing obstacles and haters, the singer remains focused on their goal of being the greatest and achieving success in their endeavors. They mention breaking away from toxic relationships and focusing on making money and maintaining their financial stability. The repeated themes of perseverance, resilience, and determination to succeed despite adversity are prevalent throughout the song, highlighting the singer's unwavering commitment to their goals.
In conclusion, "Down On Me" by Medeski Martin and Wood portrays a narrative of resilience, confidence, and determination in the face of criticism and setbacks. The lyrics reflect a sense of self-assurance and defiance, with the singer refusing to let negativity bring them down. They exude a strong sense of pride in their achievements and success, emphasizing their status within their community and their commitment to continuing to push forward. The song carries a message of empowerment and self-belief, encouraging listeners to stay true to themselves and persevere in the face of challenges.
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Christopher Martinez
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind