Shack-man explained

Shack-man
Type:	Studio album
Artist:	Medeski Martin & Wood
Cover:	Shackman.jpg
Released:	October 15, 1996
Recorded:	June 1996 (The Shack, Hawaii)
Genre:	Jazz-funk, soul jazz, acid jazz
Label:	Rykodisc^[1] Gramavision
Producer:	Medeski Martin & Wood, David Baker
Prev Title:	Friday Afternoon in the Universe
Prev Year:	1995
Next Title:	Farmer's Reserve
Next Year:	1997

Shack-man is the fourth album by experimental jazz fusion trio Medeski Martin & Wood, released in 1996.^{[1] [2] [3]} It was widely considered their commercial breakthrough, peaking at #7 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Albums chart.^[4]

Production

The album was recorded in an isolated shack in Hawaii, with power supplied by solar energy and generators.^[5]

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."^[6] Relix called it a "dark, funky dorm room breakthrough."^[7]

The Cleveland Scene wrote that the group "made it cool to groove again with 1996's Shack Man, a Hammond-hammered Phish-lot mainstay that opened the door for instrumental improv groups like Soulive and Particle."^[8]

Track listing

All music by Medeski Martin & Wood except where noted.

1. "Is There Anybody Here That Love My Jesus" (traditional, arr. by MMW) – 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

Performers

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

Credits

• Recording engineer: David Baker
• Assisted by Carl Green and Mark Kindermann
• Mixed at IIWII, Weehawken, NJ with David Baker and Katsu Naito
• Edited at Current Sounds, NYC with Bob Ward
• Mastered by Dr. Toby Mountain, Northeastern Digital Recording
• Executive producer: Hans Wendl
• LP management: Liz Penta
• Band photo by Michael Macioce
• Artwork by Billy Martin, 1996

Notes and References

1. Web site: Medeski, Martin & Wood | Biography & History. AllMusic.
2. Web site: Catching New Grooves After a Great Escape. November 22, 1996. Los Angeles Times.
3. Book: Budnick, Dean. Jambands: The Complete Guide to the Players, Music, & Scene. November 19, 2003. Hal Leonard Corporation. 9780879307455. Google Books.
4. Medeski Martin & Wood. Billboard.
5. Web site: MEDESKI, MARTIN & WOOD. PARRY. GETTELMAN. OrlandoSentinel.com.
6. Web site: Groove Theory. New York. November 4, 1996. New York Media, LLC. Google Books.
7. Web site: Medeski Martin & Wood: The Triple Entente. May 17, 2017. Relix Media.
8. Web site: Medeski, Martin & Wood. Jeff. Miller. Cleveland Scene.