The Apples - Buzzin' About

Author

Andrew Maher

Published

Monday 14th July

Israeli funksters The Apples are an incredibly eclectic 9-piece hybrid band, fusing elements of hip-hop, funk, jazz and electronica. The group consists of sounds and effects, two turntables, drums, double bass, and a full 4-piece horn section. An unconventional recipe, for sure, but there is simply no arguing with the end product.

The Apples have themselves an infectiously unique brand of music, which this reviewer is going to name “funk hop”. It is quite easy to listen to this album and picture in your head a slickly produced heist-movie (something along the lines of “Ocean’s 11”) unfolding to accompany it.

Funky bass riffs, jazzy horn sounds, tasteful vinyl scratches and even a cowbell feature – this album runs the gamut of ordinary jazz and funk sensibilities and builds on them to create something not heard before by the popular music world. Anyone who is a fan of big-band jazz, James Brown-esque funk, or horn-driven music in general, will instantly fall in love with this full-length album, just as I have.

If I had to boil this album down to one phrase, it would be “slick, fun and funky”. It is at times unruly, unpredictable, raucous and loud, whilst at others subdued, understated and majestic. Anyone who claims to love jazz and funk should immediately add it to their collection, and will most definitely not regret doing so.