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Radiolarians I is the first album of The Radiolarian Series released in three installments in 2008-2009. The Radiolarian Series takes its name from radiolarians (also radiolaria), amoeboid protozoa that produce intricate mineral skeletons, typically with a central capsule dividing the cell into inner and outer portions, called endoplasm and ectoplasm. Radiolaria grow their intricately beautiful patterned skeleton around their soft core in defiance of normal biological process. This is, according to the band, “similar to Medeski Martin and Wood’s latest creative cycle.”

Reception.

The AllMusic review by Steve Leggett awarded the album 4 stars and stated:”Medeski, Martin & Wood have been incorporating seemingly every corner of the musical universe, from funk to gospel to progressive sambas, into their sound for some time now, so it should come as no surprise that Radiolarians 1, the first of three planned and linked releases for the group in 2008, is all over the map, from country funk to sweet piano jazz, and that it coheres (since there are occasions when the band overloads and overreaches, although that isn’t the case here) is really good news for their many admirers and fans. With a bright, and at times even sunny and joyous, sound, this first of the planned trilogy is a complete delight, moving from thundering fusion funk grooves to delicate atmospherics in the blink of an eye, and it shows the tight, detailed connection keyboardist John Medeski, drummer Billy Martin, and bassist Chris Wood have with each other.”

Track listing:

First Light 0:00
Cloud Wars 8:28
Muchas Gracias 14:55
Professor Nohair 21:30
Reliquary 29:04
Free Go Lily (traditional) 36:50
Rolling Son 41:23
Sweet Pea Dreams 47:21
God Fire 50:17
Hidden Moon 57:46

Personnel:
John Medeski – keyboards
Billy Martin – drums, percussion
Chris Wood – basses

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Label: Indirecto Records ‎
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: september 30, 2008
Recorded: March, 2008
Recording Location: Shackston Studio, Kingston, NY
Duration: 01:04:25