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The Bad Plus: Flim

By Scott Lichtman
June 21, 2024
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The 2001 first album from The Bad Plus was a shot across the bow for redefining the piano trio genre. Covering bands from ABBA to Nirvana and offering original compositions that swung, whispered and pounded, pianist Ethan Iverson, upright bassist Reid Anderson and drummer David King drew new audiences to jazz. The second album, These are the Vistas (Columbia Records, 2003), featured a cover of Aphex Twin's "Flim." Compared to the Bad Plus's more avant-garde/muscular pieces, this cover comes across like a shiny gift wrapped for the holidays. It is based on a simple, child-like melody and variations led on the piano with bass support. The real nugget in the performance is a mesmorizing drum solo by King, who improvises his way through every pattern, paradiddle, polymeter and pause that one could imagine. It's a catchy piece and—especially for drummers—a jaw-dropper.

Contact Scott Lichtman on All About Jazz.
Jazz/fusion keyboardist & autograph collector in Stamford CT.

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