Happy Apple Back On Top

SSC1172 2007-08-28

Track List

The New Bison - 4:50
Very Small Rock - 5:00
1996 A.D. - 4:35
Rise! Marc Anthony - 7:12
Calgon For Hetfield - 5:26
Lefse Los Cubanos - 5:37
He's OK - 6:19
Brown Lights - 7:11
Hence The Turtleneck - 5:31
Most Popular To Succeed - 9:05
Density In Dan's Fan City - 7:04

Musicians

Erik Fratzke - acoustic bass
Dave King - drums
Michael Lewis - saxophone, keyboards

“Midwestern smart alecks with a jones for sharp collective interplay and a rockish energy that never lags, the boys in Happy Apple may strike traditional jazz fans as overly pomo. Then again, maybe tradition needs a swift kick in the pants. Drummer Dave King also is one third of the Bad Plus, for whom he has arranged wicked revisions of tunes by Blondie, Nirvana and Aphex Twin—showing off mad skills on the trap set and pleasing crowds....
Happy Apple, founded twelve years ago in the Twin Cities, bustles with the same intent, but the group sounds more naturally organic. Bassist Erik Fratzke plays electric, giving the music the muscle to conquer rock dives, while saxophonist Michael Lewis summons the fiery, playful tone of Ornette Coleman, a congenial influence that supplies a handy jumpingoff point for the outfit's peripatetic flow.” (Time Out - Chicago)
“A punk rock drive adds the edge to this spirited tenor trio’s music. Happy Apple create a hybrid music of real bite and deep appeal that proves much more substantial than might appear to be the case from initial impressions.” (Cadence)