Happy Apple - New York CD (Twin Cities jazz-not-jazz legends)

I posted about this album on the jazz thread, but I'm giving it its own thread because it's AOTY material for me. Also because while Happy Apple looms large in my own world (I first saw them in a rock club in Milwaukee around '99 or '00, along with Skuli Sverrisson/Jim Black/Chris Speed and it was all mind blowing, and drummer Dave King mentioned to me that he had this other piano trio called The Bad Plus...), I assume no one really knows about them unless they're an old head or live in the Twin Cities. Given that they haven't released an album in 15 years and all, and now have somehow made their best album, one which finally captures their sound, interplay, and humor (they have and uncanny knack for light-hearted improvisation without being wacky or gimmicky).

https://sunnysiderecords.bandcamp.com/album/new-york-cd-2

Apparently it was self-released briefly in 2020, but now out properly -

The record sounds amazing for one, everyone's instrument sounds huge and full and yet dynamic. Every member is so killing, and I can't think of a 'jazz' group with electric bass that I like more. Such a unique band, I hope people finally pay them the attention they deserve.

― Jordan s/t (Jordan), Tuesday, September 3, 2024 11:35 AM (two weeks ago) bookmarkflaglink

If people aren't familiar it's Dave King on drums, Michael Lewis (who has been playing sax in Bon Iver's band and bass with Andrew Bird) on sax, and Erik Fratzke on bass.

― Jordan s/t (Jordan), Tuesday, September 3, 2024 11:39 AM (two weeks ago) bookmarkflaglink

jordan thank u for pointing the way toward the happy apple record, i've never heard them before and this album rules so much

― ivy., Thursday, September 5, 2024 8:47 AM (two weeks ago) bookmarkflaglink

i dug it too

― budo jeru, Thursday, September 5, 2024 9:33 AM (two weeks ago) bookmarkflaglink

hi. this is good.

Happy Apple back in the Clown Lounge days, some of my favorite music nights.

Will check, and speaking of The Bad Plus, I see that Ben Monder has a '24 Sunnyside on there as well.

I had no idea Happy Apple was an ongoing thing (I didn't know that Bad Plus was still an ongoing thing either), but I saw Julian Lage play with Dave King (and Jorge Roeder) last week, and King killed it.

After seeing the Dave King Trucking Company a few days ago I realized I'd been sleeping on those records, they're really nice. Their trio lineup is the same as Happy Apple with a different sax player (Brandon Wozniak), although the records have upright bass, Erik Fratzke on guitar instead of bass, and Chris Speed as another horn. Of course, live >>>> record for this music.

Saw the Dave King Trucking Company in trio form last night, truly sublime. It was originally supposed to be a Happy Apple show but it was the next best thing...Erik Fratzke still on bass (not guitar, like he does in the expanded version of this band), all DK tunes and the finest banter in the game. Really one of the best parts about living in the midwest is getting to see these musicians mere blocks from my house.

― Jordan s/t (Jordan), Monday, April 14, 2025 5:38 PM (two days ago) bookmarkflaglink

Interspersing the most intricate and beautifully played music with a bit about what Bruce Springsteen songs would be like if his characters ever actually left their hometown, improvising lyrics and exhorting the sax player to play louder, like the big man Clarence.

― Jordan s/t (Jordan), Monday, April 14, 2025 5:41 PM (two days ago) bookmarkflaglink