History of An Apology

Tuneful pieces with lots of players and accessible writing. Many tracks have the tunefulness of instrumental rock and a slightly funky snap. There's an overall melancholy even to the happier tunes, a slow feel even though the tempos are fast.

Which seems fitting, as the CD's subject is the Tuskeegee Syphillis Experiment, where the U.S. government tested the disease on blacks without their knowledge, from 1932-1972. President Clinton issued an apology in 1997. A summary: http://showme.missouri.edu/~socbrent/tuskegee.htm

Tracks get some extra texture from various background instruments, showing a nice attention to detail in the production. Also gives the music a joyously free lilt (see 3,5). One complaint: There's kind of a sameness to every track. On the plus side, just about any selection will be a good play.

1- Upbeat clarinet/sax trio. Short, sparse.
2*- A lazy funk, really nice. Dig the background accordion!
3- A peaceful late-afternoon feel. Slowly searing guitar solo by Bill Frisell
4- Snaky, slow feel
5*- Mid/fast and bright, w/ loping horn theme.
6*- Fast pattering beat. Tangly, confusing sax and guitar.
7- Opens w/female vocal wails.
8*- Vaguely ethnic/world feel, moderately fast