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. -MJVDL. ZIADE
Project Chill: Memoirs of a Jazz Band
THE DAVE BRUBECK QUARTET
THEIR LAST TIME OUT
UCF JAZZ ENSEMBLE
Jazz Town
BOBBY WATSON AND THE LIVE AND LEARN BAND
Fronm The Heart
POSITIVE CATASTROPHE
Garabatos Volume One
Dr. Lonnie Smith
Too Damn Hot!
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