GARAGE A TROIS

Jazz Rock/Fusion • United States

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Garage A Trois biography

GARAGE A TROIS (also known as GAT)is an American quartet (not a trio, as the name might imply) formed in 1999, including Stanton Moore (drums, percussion, polyrhythms), Skerik (saxophones), Mike Dillon (percussion, vibraphone) and Marco Benevento (keyboards, organ).

Skerik was one of the founding members of CRITTERS BUGGIN', he's also playing with TUATARA. He used to collaborate with Roger Waters and Les Claypool's Frog Brigade. Benvenuto worked with Claypool as well, and with Mike Dillon, Charlie Hunter, Trey Anasatio and many others. Dillon is also an original member of CRITTERS, and he's also involved in projects such are Malachy Papers, Brave Combo, Hairy Apes B.M.X., and the Black Frames. He also toured with Claypool's Frog Brigade. Moore is in organ quartet MOORE & MORE and GALACTIC.

Originally, they were gathered together as a trio Moore / Skerik / Charlie Hunter (8 string guitars) for recording STanton Moore's debut 'All Kooked Out!', however, dring the session another debut was born too - and that was GAT's 'Mysteryfunk', an album with mostly improvised, electronically effected instruments.

Mike Dillon joined shortly after taking the duty of a vibraphonist.
They performed a blend of jazz rock, punk, funk, and electronic manipulations - which is evident on 'Emphasizer' (2003) and 'Outre Mer'(2005).

From 2007 onwards, their performances were reinforced with John Medeski and Marco Benevento.

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GARAGE A TROIS discography

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GARAGE A TROIS top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.92 | 7 ratings

Emphasizer
2003

3.00 | 5 ratings

Outre Mer
2005

4.00 | 5 ratings

Power Patriot
2009

3.00 | 3 ratings

Always Be Happy, But Stay Evil
2011

GARAGE A TROIS Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

0.00 | 0 ratings

Fox Theater - Boulder, Colorado - October 3rd, 2003
2004

GARAGE A TROIS Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

GARAGE A TROIS Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

GARAGE A TROIS Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

2.95 | 2 ratings

Mysteryfunk
1999

GARAGE A TROIS Reviews

Showing last 10 reviews only

Emphasizer by GARAGE A TROIS album cover

Studio Album, 2003
3.92 | 7 ratings
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Emphasizer
Garage A Trois Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by TCat
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin

Here is a jazz band with a cool name....and an awesome sound. They started out as a trio performing improvisational jazz and put out an E.P. Soon after, they recruited a percussionist and became a foursome and produced this album. Their sound is so varied and enjoyable, even if you are not a jazz lover, you can't deny that this is an album full of fun and excitement.

Typically, their sound is Latin-infused with a dash of fusion, a lot of funk, and a bit of crazy experimentalisation that seems to come out of nowhere, even right in the middle of a groove. This has it all when it comes to jazz style. A little blues, some conventional jazz, a lot of crazy sounds and lots of fun.

"Hard Headed Rio" is an easy Latin groove. "Spunky Monkey" is an upbeat funk fest with a good share of hooks and solos. Listen to this one, it's available to stream on this site. This one will definitely get your feet and body moving and get you excited for what's to come. Back to Latin rhythms with the predictable but still very fun "Plena for My Grundle" which has an amazing almost Spanish guitar playing against the tempting rhythms. "AFrame" comes next with a very unpredictable and surprising loud guitar burst at the beginning and now you think you are listening to a full-blown fusion band. "We See" comes next and is the least interesting of the songs, but is still a nice mellow version of the Thelonious Monk composition which is carried throughout by the sax. Probably the weakest song on the album because it is so traditional and standard compared to the rest of the album.

The surprises continue on the second half of the album, but I don't want to give too much away at this point. Just be ready for more Latin and Funk inspired jazz with some fusion added in and watch out for more things coming straight out of left field experimentation right when you least expect it. The avant garde sections keep you guessing, the funk keeps you dancing, the Latin beat keeps you moving and excited, and the fusion is amazing when it happens.

If you are looking for a very well done jazz record with a lot of variation and surprises, this is it. I highly recommend this to anyone thinking about getting into jazz music. The songs are mostly short but well-developed and the musicianship is superb. Highly recommended as an all-around bridge mixture of jazz with a lot of funk. Never boring because you are always excited to hear what is next. 4 stars, but so close to 5 because it is so enjoyable.

Power Patriot by GARAGE A TROIS album cover

Studio Album, 2009
4.00 | 5 ratings
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Power Patriot
Garage A Trois Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Warthur
Prog Reviewer

Power Patriot is the first album from a refreshed Garage a Trois lineup, in which the departing Charlie Hunter is replaced not by another guitarist but by keyboardist Marco Benevento. This is accompanied by a shift in the group's sound, with some post-rock and even some mild industrial influences working their way in. Mike Dillon's percussion is better than ever this time around, and helps to create a sound which at points is reminiscent of classic-era Tortoise circa Millions Now Living Will Never Die. Closing track Computer Crimes qualifies as one of the most disturbing numbers in jazz today. Recommended for fans of aggressive, sinister fusion.

Studio Album, 2005
3.00 | 5 ratings
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Outre Mer
Garage A Trois Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Warthur
Prog Reviewer

On Outre Mer ("overseas"), Garage a Trois complete their maturation from a nom de plume used for goofing off between serious sessions and into a full-blown project in their own right. The spaciness of the debut EP has faded away, as has the improvisational approach and mild aimlessness, and in its place stands a set of much more polished compositions. As on the preceding Emphasizer, the key to this shift is the arrival of Mike Dillon on percussion; here, his vibes and other implements are integrated fully into the group's sound, taking the listener on a funk-infused trip across choppy waters. Skerik and Dillon's interactions are a particular treat and suggest later and more bizarre collaborations, such as their work in the Dead Kenny G's. Fun stuff, though it still feels a bit like the sort of throwaway project the original EP was.

Mysteryfunk by GARAGE A TROIS album cover

Singles/EPs/Fan Club/Promo, 1999
2.95 | 2 ratings
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Mysteryfunk
Garage A Trois Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Warthur
Prog Reviewer

The primordial soup from which Garage a Trois emerged, Mysteryfunk captures a clutch of improvised jams recorded during the sessions for Stanton Moore's All Kooked Out! album. The first and most obvious difference between this material and what's found on All Kooked Out! is the spacier tone, which at points takes on a sort of dub-inspired quality, and which is helped by the inclusion of keyboards and other effects which were kept out of the All Kooked Out! material. Garage a Trois would rapidly evolve away from this dreamy, semi-incoherent jam material, but the stuff here is decent enough that it doesn't outstay its welcome on an EP-length release even if it isn't especially developed.

Thanks to clarke2001 for the artist addition.