Shack-man

Shack-man is the fourth album by experimental jazz fusion trio Medeski Martin & Wood, released in 1996. It was widely considered their commercial breakthrough, peaking at No. 7 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Albums chart.

Production

The album was recorded in an isolated shack in Hawaii, with power supplied by solar energy and generators.

Critical reception

AllMusic called the album "the best example to date of the trio's cerebral fusion of soul-jazz, hip-hop, and post-punk worldbeat." New York wrote that "the changes are episodic, as in funk, rather than conversational, as in jazz." Relix called it a "dark, funky dorm room breakthrough."

The Cleveland Scene wrote that the group "made it cool to groove again with 1996s Shack-man, a Hammond-hammered Phish-lot mainstay that opened the door for instrumental improv groups like Soulive and Particle."

Track listing

All music by Medeski Martin & Wood except where noted.

1. "Is There Anybody Here That Love My Jesus" <small>(traditional, arr. by MMW)</small> – 4:27
2. "Think" – 5:16
3. "Dracula" – 4:16
4. "Bubblehouse" – 4:27
5. "Henduck" – 4:38
6. "Strance of the Spirit Red Gator" – 7:06
7. "Spy Kiss" – 4:22
8. "Lifeblood" – 7:06
9. "Jelly Belly" – 4:42
10. "Night Marchers" – 4:26
11. "Kenny" – 4:43

Personnel

Medeski Martin & Wood

• John Medeski – Hammond B3 organ, clavinet, Wurlitzer electric piano, Pianet T, toy piano, Yamaha CSO1 II
• Chris Wood – guitars, acoustic bass, electric basses
• Billy Martin – drums, percussion

Production

• Hans Wendl – executive producer
• Medeski Martin & Wood – producers
• David Baker – producer, recording, mixing
• Katsu Naito – mixing
• Carl Green – recording assistant
• Mark Kindermann – recording assistant
• Bob Ward – editing at Current Sounds (New York City, New York)
• Dr. Toby Mountain – mastering at Northeastern Digital (Southborough, Massachusetts)
• Michael Macioce – band photography
• Billy Martin – artwork
• Liz Penta – LP management

References