Backtracking Forward: Wanted On Wax VI

posted in: Features

In my ideal world, everyone would have access to a vinyl press in their own backyard. Cutting discs would be as easy as ripping a CD. Until this happens, I will be digging in the OurStage archives to bestow upon the reader an artist whose music I would love to hear on vinyl. This month, the incredible homegrown chops of The Bad Apples resonate into one’s aural cavities with pounds of fat drums, juicy horns and tickled ivory keys.

The beauty of discovering music on OurStage and the Internet is that no corner of the world is neglected. The ease of technological advances has made it possible for any performer, regardless of location, to expose their music to listeners all over the globe. Thanks to the new OS feature that finds genre specific artists according to geographic location, I stumbled upon the absolutely incredible recordings of The Bad Apples and literally picked my jaw up off the floor when I realized they hailed from the town I call home. Due to my focus on vinyl and music from the past five decades, I have neglected discovering all the raw and unbelievable talent simmering throughout the state of New Jersey. So when a wallop of blaring horns erupted from my speakers the other day, the turntable powered down for the first time in weeks and The Bad Apples provided the daily dose of funk I need to sustain my life ” kinda like air and water but more essential.

The three virtuoso musicians who make up the group cast a sound that tricks the ear into thinking one is hearing an all-star lineup of multiple players jammed packed into a studio. While the lineup may be all-star, each Bad Apple takes on multiple duties to craft that larger- than-life presence they emit. Sound engineer BJ Felsted not only ensures the recordings are on par with excellence but handles bass and guitar duties while harmonizing some palatable vocals. James Albis’ contribution is the necessary butter on the bread as he tickles the keys of the Fender Rhodes piano, experiments with the Moog and finds time to blow crisp and perfect notes for the brass section that, in this writer’s opinion, is a fundamental component of their sound. Rounding out the lineup is the man behind the kit. Dave Witter handles all the percussion duties for the band” a job that takes a well-trained ear and precise coordination to keep the backbone of the group funky yet on course.

To just hear the song Lucky Day, one would pigeonhole The Bad Apples as a ridiculously talented group of funk-influenced rock musicians. They are. Starting the playlist shuffle with Grapevine, one might classify the group as an insanely catchy modern rock/jam band ensemble with tight melodies and buoyant vocals. This is also true. Perusing the rest of their song library, the whole concept of pigeonholing gets thrown out the door as influences of jazz, hip hop, rock, funk and soul all blend impeccably throughout their recordings to produce a unified sound. Though the funk stands out strongest with this group, their talents and influences are spread evenly across the palette as tastes of all genres attack the senses.

Don’t know where to start? Lucky Day and Show Me What You Got represent the meat and potatoes of the group’s sophomore release and illuminate the advanced progression of their sound since their debut in 2007. Show Me What You Got kicks off with the smoothest rhythm that hasn’t been heard since the JB’s were in their prime circa 1972. A tight pocket of drums complement short horn stabs and jazzy keys to create a melody that infects the deepest recesses of one’s ears. The blending of jazz and funk on this track is flawless and the contagious grooves incite even the shyest of spectators to feel the power of the music. The players take a detour at the end of the recording that results in a chaotic breakdown of instrumentation and then without warning, they slip right back into the groove set forth in the beginning. BJ, James & Dave feed off each other’s energy throughout every composition and it couldn’t be more evident than on this scorcher.

Lucky Day needs no introduction as the track truly speaks for itself. The dynamic opening pulls the listener into a whirlwind of rhythm a la funky drums and epic horn arrangements that continually drop in and out to make room for the song’s catchy and upbeat lyrics. If this track doesn’t get your internal rhythm moving, then you must be devoid of life and therefore, dead.

It would take a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel to continue heaving accolades about this group of talented cats. The Bad Apples want their music heard and a hefty number of tracks they recorded are available on their OurStage profile, providing a well-rounded picture of a band with many facets. Songs like Jackpot, Moses Poses, and the insanely chaotic instrumental Acid Reflux are all essential cornerstones from their 2007 debut that stand strong next to their more recent accomplishments. All said and done, this vinyl junkie has been placated with the Mp3 recordings from the band but would be the first in line for a limited vinyl pressing on 180 grams of wax.

Next time you are sitting at home, contently spinning records from the 1960s, check out the artists on OurStage that occupy your own zip code. You might end up finding some raw, undiscovered talent a stone’s throw away from your front door. As for The Bad Apples, I’ll see you guys at the supermarket because even larger-than-life musicians still need their bread and butter to continuing making unbelievable music.

Keep Digging!
-Gregorious-