I love the sound of Snarky Puppy, and I’m not talking about the fun name, but the music. It’s all about the music; the full, intricate and, at the same time, approachable compositions that grab my attention every time I hear the group. And, by the way, it’s really not a group, but several changing groups.
Snarky Puppy has a core crew of musicians. At the core of that core is
Michael League, a composer/bassist/producer with deepest commitment to the
music. However, guest musicians regularly perform and record with them and a
wealth of fine musicians and singers make their way in and out of the primary ensemble,
creating its quite fluid identity.
But, to my ear, the true center of Snarky Puppy seems to be
the compositions. And revolving around that nucleus are musicians and instruments
of all kinds—sometimes brighter, sometimes dimmer, together, and in solo, playing
as written as well as interpreting the music. The compositions feel full and
rich in texture, and there is an overall sense of reaching for as much music
and performance as can fit into each piece. It’s a lot; so much goodness, and
not a bit of clutter.
The music is new, with a meat-on-these-bones freshness that
is built on the best traditions of jazz, blues, gospel, soul and more. Give a
listen and see how you feel about it. I think you’ll agree that there’s real
maturity to this particular puppy.
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