Music Factory Records announces the April 25 release of “Blurry Face,” a raw, exhilarating trio performance by guitarist-composer Ari Joshua alongside John Medeski (organ, clavinet) and Billy Martin (drums), the storied rhythm team of Medeski Martin & Wood. Tracked live at Applehead Recording Studios in New York, the piece distills the crackling spontaneity that defines great improvisational music.
Billy Martin lays down the foundation with a hypnotic loop first introduced on Loops from the Underground, showcasing the polyrhythmic mastery that has carried him from The Lounge Lizards to decades reimagining the drum set’s place in jazz-funk. Beside him, John Medeski—veteran of projects with Dewey Redman, Jaco Pastorius, and John Scofield—ignites the soundstage: clavinet lines bounce with playful grit while Hammond swells add psychedelic warmth and daring modal exploration.
At the center, Ari Joshua’s guitar tone is unapologetically thick—equal parts fuzz and finesse—engaging the rhythm section in a fearless, ever-shifting dialogue. “You never know when your dreams may come true,” says Joshua. “You plant a seed and it just may bring a great tree.”
“Blurry Face” extends a growing collaboration between Joshua, Medeski, Martin, and bassist Jason Fraticelli, with further music slated for 2025. A follow-up single, “Reversible Submersible,” will surface on May 23, delivering an experimental studio counterpoint to the trio’s live-wire chemistry.
Track Credits
Ari Joshua – Electric Guitar, FX
John Medeski – Electric Organ, Clavinet
Billy Martin – Drums
Engineered & mixed by Chris Bittner at Applehead Recording Studios
Additional mixing by Jonathan Plum at London Bridge Studios
Mastered by Joe Lambert at JLM Mastering
Artwork by Seb Niark
About the Artists
Ari Joshua blends jazz, psych-rock, and avant-garde influences into a singular guitar voice that thrives on fearless exploration.
John Medeski is renowned for redefining keyboard possibilities in modern jazz-fusion, merging deep groove with free-form invention.
Billy Martin bridges jazz, funk, and experimental percussion, constantly expanding rhythmic language across projects and education.
More information:
http://www.arijoshua.com | http://www.musicfactoryrecords.com
Instagram: @arijoshua @musicfactoryrecords
