Once again, acid jazz trio Medeski Martin and Wood has teamed up with guitar legend John Scofield. Knowing they had more to add to the earlier collaboration "A Go Go," the group got together in January to write and record "Out Louder" at Shacklyn Studios in Brooklyn. While "A Go Go" featured mostly Scofield material, this recent album was a web spun equally by all musicians. Many of the songs originated from free-form jam sessions.

Now out on tour to promote "Out Louder," MSMW stopped by The Vogue Theatre on Sunday, December 10th. The sold out crowd was proof that these musicians are well respected for their originality and talent. In fact, the number of local musicians in the crowd was amazing to me. Everyone showed up to hear a taste of the funky jazz for which MSMW is so well known.

Having peeked at the set lists for previous tour stops, I knew it would be the same in lineup. But with their skills for improv and playing to the energy of the crowd, they surely wouldn't play a song the same way twice.

The show opened like the new album, with Scofield tune "Little Walter Rides Again," then into an improv jam. John Scofield lead the band and the crowd through buildups, while Chris Wood captured the energy with vibrant, Fender jazz bass solos. John Medeski kept it interesting with his signature neon gospel organ. Scofield added layers, loops, delays, pitch bending and wahs that constantly created unique tones and textures. All the while, Billy Martin's drums were the canvas onto which the others stroked and splattered their sounds. A cover of "Sunshine of Your Love" got the crowd hyped at the end of the first set.

The long setbreak was necessary to regroup my thoughts about the first set jazz mayhem. Set two got a running start with the upbeat and scribbly "Miles Behind". Soulful on the album, "In Case the World Changes Its Mind" turned into a calypso lounge trip when Medeski broke out his melodica. The set continued with focused high energy originals from both MSMW albums. Lennon/McCartney's "Julia" drifted on a cloud, and let the whole room relax for a brief moment. The show ended with "Hottentot" and encore "New New Orleans," both deeply funky. I overheard a crowd member threaten to bring Lysol to the stage, 'cause "it got so dirty." The ringing in my ears made me dance all the way to the car.

Of the several times I've seen Medeski, Martin, & Wood as a trio, this was by far the most focused I've seen them. Veteran John Scofield never let the group lose track of what they were doing, yet he humbly gave the credit out, not even mentioning himself when introducing the band. Taken as a whole, the show was intensely moving, but at the same time incredibly fun. Who knows what these boys will dream up next time. I know I'll be listening.