Medeski, Martin and Wood

Comprised of denizens of New York's downtown jazz scene, the keys-bass-drums trio Medeski, Martin & Wood built a reputation as one of the most inventive jam bands of the '90s, the rare act that could entertain Phishheads one night and a fringe-jazz crowd the next.

The group's self-released debut, Notes From the Underground, shows why these three were in demand from the beginning: It's loaded with...