End of the World Party (Just in Case)

Even if these Jazz-hip-hoppers can be relegated at times to a dismissive jam-band background category in the way they play, if the eclectic trio does anything right, and they do it quite often, it is groove unabashedly and intelligently, in rare dignified ratio.

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.

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!

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.

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.