What makes Note Bleu: Best of the Blue Note Years 1998–2005 by Medeski Martin & Wood notable?

This collection highlights the band's significant influence on the jazz genre during the late 90s and early 2000s, showcasing their ability to blend traditional jazz with funk and experimental sounds. The album received positive reviews from critics, reinforcing their position within the contemporary jazz landscape and demonstrating their appeal beyond traditional jazz audiences. Released in 2006, this compilation captures Medeski Martin & Wood's innovative period under the Blue Note label from 1998 to 2005. By this time, they had established themselves as pioneers in the modern jazz scene, blending genres and attracting a diverse audience. This album serves as a retrospective of their growth during a pivotal phase in their career.

Who is Note Bleu: Best of the Blue Note Years 1998–2005 for?

Note Bleu: Best of the Blue Note Years 1998–2005 works well if you're into dynamic journey with peaks, vibrant grooves for exploration and playful soundscape for gatherings.

How many songs are on Note Bleu: Best of the Blue Note Years 1998–2005?

Note Bleu: Best of the Blue Note Years 1998–2005 has 15 tracks, running approximately 62 minutes.

Released 20 years ago

Note Bleu: Best of the Blue Note Years 1998–2005

Medeski Martin & Wood · 2006

62 min · 15 tracks · jazz

A vibrant fusion of jazz, funk, and avant-garde elements that showcases the trio's eclectic improvisational prowess.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Dropper — Opening with an infectious groove, this track exemplifies the trio's unique ability to fuse intricate rhythms with accessible melodies, setting the tone for their explorative sound.
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Partido Alto — This piece showcases their skillful interplay, highlighting how they draw from Latin influences while maintaining a strong jazz foundation, making it a standout representation of their versatility.
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Uninvisible — The track features rich textures and an expansive structure that illustrates the trio's improvisational strengths, embodying their signature approach to blending genres seamlessly.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong improvisational skills and genre blending, though its compilation nature affects cohesion.

What we noticed

Several pieces incorporate extended improvisation sections, allowing each musician to showcase their individual styles within the trio.
The first half of the album maintains a consistent upbeat energy, while the latter half introduces more contemplative and atmospheric compositions.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic journey with peaks
vibrant grooves for exploration
playful soundscape for gatherings
engaging rhythms for movement
hypnotic waves of sound

Maybe skip if you

prefer instant gratification tracks
dislike experimental listening experiences

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Deep Cut — A compilation showcasing their innovative period, but not a primary entry point.
Career context: Released in 2006, this compilation captures Medeski Martin & Wood's innovative period under the Blue Note label from 1998 to 2005. By this time, they had established themselves as pioneers in the modern jazz scene, blending genres and attracting a diverse audience. This album serves as a retrospective of their growth during a pivotal phase in their career.
Stylistic neighbors: The Bad Plus· Snarky Puppy· Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey