The wonderfully-named CRUMP CAKE ORCHESTRA are an Australian big band (20 pieces at the at last count) and the players came together via a mutual love for the solid, classic big band jazz of people like Duke Ellington and the modern experimentation of artists like Robert Glasper.
Led by Evan Bassani, the Crumps are currently busy promoting their second long player – ‘Copy Copy’. The 14 tracker offers a breath-taking sweep of jazz styles and sounds… and a glance at the track list will tell you that there’s real electicism here even before the needle hits the groove….. I mean what about ”Ballad Of One The Trumpet Players From The Shaolin Afronauts’, ‘Stone Hut On The Moors’ or ‘Ferg And His Cowbell For Dads’?
However despite the odd titling, the music, though experimental, intriguing and off the wall is still accessible. The title track will give you a flavour of what to expect…. chilled-out Chet Baker horn, big brass riffs, crazy Hammond and an odd semi-spoken “vocal” dialogue… odd but it works!
Elsewhere there’s a blaxploitation car chase theme on ‘Come With Me To Singapore’ a lovely ‘Contact Him Today’ (an all too short Ramsey Lewis pastiche) and a big Latin romp – ‘Disney Classic No. 33’. But there’s so much more besides. Maybe best not to ask about the titles and their meaning; rather if you’re up for a wild, imaginative musical ride through a number of jazz genres, try a slice of Crump Cake (don’t ask!)
Find out more @ www. crumpcakeorchestra.com
