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Happy Apple: Happy Apple Back on Top
"The New Bison" exemplifies the rhythmic inventiveness they employ to vary the musical feel. Its funky bass intro supports a bluesy tenor and then speeds up before stopping short and shifting into a mellower, melodic bridge with a peppy beat. A syncopated Latin-esque groove buttresses "Lefse Los Cubanos," as the bass emphasizes the upbeats and the sax alternates between linear and swirling movement. King also drives "Calgon for Hetfield" with offbeat accents and drum colors against Fratzke's drawn-out notes.
Beyond chops displays, King's frenetic drumming often acts as quasi-melodic counterpoint to the saxophone. After throbbing bass opens "Hence the Turtleneck," the tempo haltingly accelerates, segueing into a tighter ensemble section where the drum fills offer commentary and response to the unfurling sax lines. The slowly-building "Most Popular to Succeed" gains momentum over nine minutes with dexterous drum and saxophone exchanges. Fratzke acts as the spine, providing shape and context. He stretches out on "1996 A.D.," a tune that begins with a Blue Note organ-trio groove then morphs into a speed-walking gait for his embellishments.
Happy Apple posits that in casting off the baggage of labels, jazz and rock can be fused for sincere, adventurous results.
Track Listing
The New Bison; Very Small Rock; 1996 A.D.; Rise! Marc Anthony; Calgon For Hetfield; Lefse Los Cubanos; He's O.K.; Brown Lights; Hence the Turtleneck; Most Popular to Succeed; Density in Dan's Fan City.
Personnel
Dave King: drums; Erik Fratzke: electric bass; Michael Lewis: tenor, alto, and soprano saxophones and keyboards.
Album information
Title: Happy Apple Back on Top | Year Released: 2008 | Record Label: Sunnyside Records