HAPPY APPLE

The Peace Between Our Companies

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. -MJVD

More reviews tagged #Jazz

  • reviewed 07/2004

    Dr. John
    N'Awlinz: Dis Dat or D'Udda

  • reviewed 05/2016

    D-Town Brass
    Golden Belt

  • reviewed 02/2005

    Alice Coltrane
    Translinear Light

  • reviewed 05/2016

    Lou Caputo Not So Big Band
    Uh Oh!

  • reviewed 06/2011

    GAUCHO
    Pearl

  • reviewed 03/2017

    Billy Childs
    Rebirth

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.