Out Louder
Medeski, Scofield, Martin & Wood
Indirecto
On their first collaboration, 1998's A Go Go, jazz guitarist John Scofield essentially recruited MMW to provide their particular brand of limber funk as a backdrop. Even so, the album came off as rather stiff and mannered. Eight years later, as the band name bears out, Scofield signed on as an honorary member, and the chemistry is far more considerable.
This time, the vibe skews more MMW, but Scofield's presence seems to energize the longstanding jam-jazz trio, resulting in the group's most loose and spirited outing in a few years. Unlike MMW's free-roaming live sets, Out Louder is made up of mostly concise tunes, a dozen in all, which cover a broad stylistic spectrum. The execution of the songs, however, allows plenty of room for the quartet's unique brand of sonic abandon. A few selections are straight-up ragers, among them an homage to chaotic electric Miles called "Miles Behind" and the nearly-12-minute grinder "Down the Tube," anchored by bassist Chris Wood's deep, fuzzy throb.
The album begins in terrific fashion, with a punchy, Meters-style slice of New Orleans funk titled "Little Walter Rides Again." Elsewhere, the quartet delivers a taste of samba ("Tequila and Chocolate"), a hypnotic space jam ("Telegraph"), some trademark rolling funk ("Tootie Ma is a Big Fine Thing") and an absolutely lovely, delicate version of the Beatles' "Julia."
Scofield let's his hair down, going for an array of tones, embracing plenty of dissonance and stomping the wah-wah pedal with welcome frequency. Keyboardist Medeski is his usual intrepid self, cutting loose with swirls and grind and jabs and funky pounding, but also playing some surprisingly conventional solos on Hammond B-3. Drummer Billy Martin has the uncanny knack for holding down a loosey-goosey groove while freely adding color and percussive creativity.
It should be noted that Out Louder has been released on MMW's own label Indirecto rather than their usual Blue Note. The music has a liberated quality that may've come from not having to deliver product to a major label. (www.indirectorecords.com) 4 stars —Eric Snider
Hoodstar
CHINGY
Capitol
The third album from Nelly acolyte Chingy offers more of the expected, disposable good-time Southern bounce, only without anything nearly as interesting as the hits from his '03 debut. Hoodstar is broken down into two sides, "Hood" and "Star." The "Hood" tracks come off as seriously ill-advised for such a party/club MC — members of Three 6 Mafia overwhelm Chingy on "Club Gettin' Crowded," and only the soulful album highlight "Cadillac Door" delivers any real heft. As for the "Star" side, anybody familiar with current pop-rap trends knows what they're gonna get, and they can get better sing-along refrains and Jermaine Dupri beats elsewhere. 2.5 stars —Scott Harrell
Dreamt for Light Years in the Belly of a Mountain
SPARKLEHORSE
Astralwerks
Sparklehorse's fourth album of velvety-sad songs alternates between self-recorded tracks played entirely by Mark Linkous (basically Sparklehorse all by himself anyway) and those where he gets a little help from his friends. Flaming Lips producer Dave Fridmann contributes, as does Lip Steven Drozd. Hip-hop soundscapist Danger Mouse produces and plays some. Hell, even Tom Waits tinkles the ivories on a track. Oddly, the sound doesn't change much between the two versions of Sparklehorse. Both solo and with a band, Linkous concentrates on mellow melodies accented with glowing guitars and fuzzy production tricks. The album is a little monotonous as a result, but you know the saying: If it ain't broke … 3.5 stars —Cooper Levey-Baker
At The Women's Club
DADDY
Cedar Creek Music
Noted Americana/roots-rock singer-songwriters Will Kimbrough and Tommy Womack first played together in the semi-legendary Bis-quits back in the early '90s. In the years since, their career paths have diverged, but the two still collaborate whenever time allows. Here, they introduce their latest project, Daddy, via a live album recorded at the band's second show ever. There's nothing alt-country about Daddy — this is ballsy, bluesy, eclectic roadhouse roots music, well-crafted and executed with the help of an able, lively, full backing band. (www.cedarcreekmusic.com) 3.5 stars —SH
African Tarantella
STEFON HARRIS
Blue Note
On this particularly ambitious project, vibes/marimba master Harris leads an unorthodox nine-piece band (cello, viola, clarinet, flute, trombone and rhythm section) through some of Duke Ellington's later, less celebrated work, as well as selections from Harris' own suite The Gardner Meditations. The music, meticulously arranged, is luminously gorgeous throughout, striking an inspired balance between the vintage and the modern. 4 stars —ES
This article appears in Nov 8-14, 2006.