The Radiolarian Series
Encyclopedia
The Radiolarian Series is an album project by experimental
jazz fusion
trio Medeski Martin & Wood
released in three installments in 2008-2009.
The project is unique among studio albums because, in a reversal of the typical recording process, the band decided to compose and then develop the songs through a series of tours before recording the music in the studio.
In early 2008 the band announced on their official website: "Medeski Martin & Wood are planning three tours, plus three albums in 2008. Each tour and subsequent album will consist of all NEW MUSIC. The plan: Write > Tour > Record > Repeat."
"The problem with us," keyboardist John Medeski explains, "is that when we record an album, by the time a record company gets it out, we’ve already been playing the music for six or eight months, and we’re ready to move on."
The three volumes of The Radiolarian Series were first released as three separate albums. The series will also be released as Box Set in 2009.
The Radiolarian Series takes its name from radiolarians (also radiolaria), amoeboid protozoa that produce intricate mineral skeletons, typically with a central capsule dividing the cell into inner and outer portions, called endoplasm and ectoplasm.
Radiolaria grow their intricately beautiful patterned skeleton around their soft core in defiance of normal biological process. This is, according to the band, "similar to Medeski Martin and Wood's latest creative cycle."
The Radiolarian Series consists of music composed and developed over the course of the band's three-part 2008 "Viva la Evolution" Tour:
unless otherwise noted.
RADIOLARIANS 1:
RADIOLARIANS 2:
RADIOLARIANS 3:
Contents of the Box Set will include the original Radiolarians I, II, III installments, plus a full-length DVD, a LIVE disc, a REMIX disc, a Double Vinyl Album ... and more.
Recorded at Shackston Studio, Kingston, NY
Mixed at Synergy Recording, Kingston NY
Recorded & Mixed by David Kent, Assisted by Jed Kosiner
Mastered by Alan Silverman, Arf Mastering
Management by Liz Penta, Emcee Artist Management
Experimental music
Experimental music refers, in the English-language literature, to a compositional tradition which arose in the mid-20th century, applied particularly in North America to music composed in such a way that its outcome is unforeseeable. Its most famous and influential exponent was John Cage...
jazz fusion
Jazz fusion
Jazz fusion is a musical fusion genre that developed from mixing funk and R&B rhythms and the amplification and electronic effects of rock, complex time signatures derived from non-Western music and extended, typically instrumental compositions with a jazz approach to lengthy group improvisations,...
trio Medeski Martin & Wood
Medeski Martin & Wood
Medeski Martin & Wood is an American jazz trio formed in 1991, consisting of John Medeski on keyboards and piano, Billy Martin on drums and percussion, and Chris Wood on double bass and bass guitar....
released in three installments in 2008-2009.
The project is unique among studio albums because, in a reversal of the typical recording process, the band decided to compose and then develop the songs through a series of tours before recording the music in the studio.
In early 2008 the band announced on their official website: "Medeski Martin & Wood are planning three tours, plus three albums in 2008. Each tour and subsequent album will consist of all NEW MUSIC. The plan: Write > Tour > Record > Repeat."
"The problem with us," keyboardist John Medeski explains, "is that when we record an album, by the time a record company gets it out, we’ve already been playing the music for six or eight months, and we’re ready to move on."
The three volumes of The Radiolarian Series were first released as three separate albums. The series will also be released as Box Set in 2009.
The Radiolarian Series takes its name from radiolarians (also radiolaria), amoeboid protozoa that produce intricate mineral skeletons, typically with a central capsule dividing the cell into inner and outer portions, called endoplasm and ectoplasm.
Radiolaria grow their intricately beautiful patterned skeleton around their soft core in defiance of normal biological process. This is, according to the band, "similar to Medeski Martin and Wood's latest creative cycle."
The Radiolarian Series consists of music composed and developed over the course of the band's three-part 2008 "Viva la Evolution" Tour:
- Part One: February 19–29 (Northeast U.S.)
- Part Two: July 11–18 (Southeast U.S.)
- Part Three: November 12–22 (Pacific Northwest (U.S. & Canada))
Track listing
All tracks by Medeski Martin & WoodMedeski Martin & Wood
Medeski Martin & Wood is an American jazz trio formed in 1991, consisting of John Medeski on keyboards and piano, Billy Martin on drums and percussion, and Chris Wood on double bass and bass guitar....
unless otherwise noted.
RADIOLARIANS 1:
- First Light
- Cloud Wars
- Muchas Gracias
- Professor Nohair
- Reliquary
- Free Go Lily (traditional)
- Rolling Son
- Sweet Pea Dreams
- God Fire
- Hidden Moon
RADIOLARIANS 2:
- Flat Tires
- Junkyard
- Padirecto
- ijiji
- Riffin' Ed
- Amber Gris
- Chasen vs Suribachi
- Dollar Pants
- Amish Pinxtos
- Baby, Let Me Follow You DownBaby, Let Me Follow You Down"Baby, Let Me Follow You Down" is a traditional folk song popularised in the late 1950s by blues guitarist Eric Von Schmidt. The song is best known from its appearance on Bob Dylan's debut album Bob Dylan.-Early years of the song:...
(traditional)
RADIOLARIANS 3:
- Chantes des Femmes
- Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down (traditional)
- Kota
- Undone
- Wonton
- Walk Back
- Jean's Scene
- Broken Mirror
- Gwyra Mi
Radiolarians Box Set
- To be released on November 24, 2009
Contents of the Box Set will include the original Radiolarians I, II, III installments, plus a full-length DVD, a LIVE disc, a REMIX disc, a Double Vinyl Album ... and more.
Performers
- John MedeskiJohn MedeskiAnthony John Medeski is an American jazz keyboards player and composer. Medeski is a veteran of New York's 1990s avant-garde jazz scene and is known popularly as a member of Medeski Martin & Wood...
– keyboards - Billy MartinBilly Martin (percussionist)Billy Martin is an American jazz drummer, best known as a member of jazz-funk trio Medeski Martin & Wood.-Biography:Before becoming part of Medeski, Martin & Wood, Martin was part of the New York City Brazilian scene in the 1980s. He performed regularly with Pe De Boi, Batucada and several Bob...
– drums, percussion - Chris WoodChris Wood (jazz musician)Christopher Barry Wood is an American bass player, best known for playing with the avant-garde jazz-funk trio Medeski Martin & Wood .-Biography:...
– basses
Credits
Produced by Medeski Martin & WoodRecorded at Shackston Studio, Kingston, NY
Mixed at Synergy Recording, Kingston NY
Recorded & Mixed by David Kent, Assisted by Jed Kosiner
Mastered by Alan Silverman, Arf Mastering
Management by Liz Penta, Emcee Artist Management
External links
- RFC Interview with MMW's Chris Wood | Extended Version - November 2009 Interview with bassist Chris Wood
- MMW and the Power of Creation - September 2009 Interview with drummer Billy Martin about Radiolarians
- Citizen Dick Interview - August 2009 Interview with drummer Billy Martin about Radiolarians
- PopMatters Reviews of Radiolarians 2 and Radiolarians 3 - at PopMatters.com