Medeski, Martin and Wood

While we'd always take MMW as a trio, the addition of guitarist John Scofield makes a compelling case for adding another letter to the mix. Sco fronted the avant-jazzbos back in '98 for A Go Go, but this album finds all four far more enmeshed in each other's ginormous chops and launching into darker, edgier sonic territory. MMW is currently at the peak of their powers, Scofield only gets more flexible with age and Out Louder is what the new nu jazz is all about.