2006-01-02
Sunnyside Avant garde jazz from this hip three-person ensemble from Minneapolis * saxophone, bass and drums. The name comes from a Fisher-Price baby toy. Drummer David King is also in the same seat for another recent jazz addition to our library, The Bad Plus. Like those "Bad" boys, Happy Apple chooses a minimalist approach to the music, with clever titles to some of the songs (like "See Sun Spot Run"). This is not jazz for those desiring the melodic * and that's typically my style * but there's something interesting about the structure of the longer cuts that had me listening intently. There's method to the madness. At the same time, the short blasts of sound (#1, #3 and #8) are great, too. My favorite of the set is the quiet but meaningful "Ella by Midnight" (#7) * Talk about capturing a mood! If you're frightened from improvisation, stick with the quick cuts. -MJVDTHE CHARLES MINGUS SEXTET
Charles Mingus Sextet with Eric Dolphy - Cornell 1964
ERIN BODE
Over and Over
Jenny Gillespie
Cure For Dreaming
Various Artists
Upstairs at Larry's: Lawrence Welk Uncorked
Christian Mc Bride
Live At Tonic
THE MATT SAVAGE TRIO
Hot Ticket
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