muzycy:
Rudresh Mahanthappa: alto saxophone (1-6, 8-10)
Bunky Green: alto saxophone (1-3, 5-10)
Jason Moran: piano
François Moutin: bass
Jack DeJohnette: drums (1, 2, 9, 10)
Damion Reid: drums (3-8)

2010 Village Voice Jazz Critics’ Poll Records of the Year #2

Jazz Times Critics’ Poll Best Records of 2010 - #3

“Forming this inter-generational alto confab was a great move by both participants. Thirty-something fire-breather Mahanthappa is a dude who likes to scorch everything around him, and under-heralded vet Green has no problem turning lyricism into kinetics. They’ve definitely caught the spirit on the new Apex, a record that storms in several different ways while wafting strains of South Indian music into the mix. Best of all: the leaders give their rhythm section enough elbow room to be equal partners. Don’t be shocked to see this team do a land-grab on more than a few best of 2010 lists.”
By Jim Macnie, Village Voice

“Witness Mahanthappa’s “Soft,” which becomes anything but. Despite the sinuous, seductive theme, the interpretation is volcanic, from Moutin’s aggressive introductory solo to Reid’s crackling bursts and both euphorically building sax solos. Writing credits are split evenly between the two leaders, with Mahanthappa employing his trademark blend of rhythmic complexity and South Indian harmonic inspirations. Green’s tunes are, perhaps necessarily, closer to the jazz mainstream: “Rainer and Theresia” is a melancholy waltz with a noir tinge, while “Lamenting” is an aching ballad dominated by a starkly romantic Moran solo. “Little Girl I’ll Miss You,” on which Mahanthappa is absent, contains the disc’s most singable melody—a standard that never was.”
by Shaun Brady, JazzTimes

“Born --36 years apart, the saxophonists Mr. Mahanthappa and the elder Mr. Green, an educator as well as a player, come from different corners of improvised jazz. They found their way to each other circuitously, and it seems as if they were meant to put a band toge.......
more

2010 Village Voice Jazz Critics’ Poll Records of the Year #2

Jazz Times Critics’ Poll Best Records of 2010 - #3

“Forming this inter-generational alto confab was a great move by both participants. Thirty-something fire-breather Mahanthappa is a dude who likes to scorch everything around him, and under-heralded vet Green has no problem turning lyricism into kinetics. They’ve definitely caught the spirit on the new Apex, a record that storms in several different ways while wafting strains of South Indian music into the mix. Best of all: the leaders give their rhythm section enough elbow room to be equal partners. Don’t be shocked to see this team do a land-grab on more than a few best of 2010 lists.”
By Jim Macnie, Village Voice

“Witness Mahanthappa’s “Soft,” which becomes anything but. Despite the sinuous, seductive theme, the interpretation is volcanic, from Moutin’s aggressive introductory solo to Reid’s crackling bursts and both euphorically building sax solos. Writing credits are split evenly between the two leaders, with Mahanthappa employing his trademark blend of rhythmic complexity and South Indian harmonic inspirations. Green’s tunes are, perhaps necessarily, closer to the jazz mainstream: “Rainer and Theresia” is a melancholy waltz with a noir tinge, while “Lamenting” is an aching ballad dominated by a starkly romantic Moran solo. “Little Girl I’ll Miss You,” on which Mahanthappa is absent, contains the disc’s most singable melody—a standard that never was.”
by Shaun Brady, JazzTimes

“Born --36 years apart, the saxophonists Mr. Mahanthappa and the elder Mr. Green, an educator as well as a player, come from different corners of improvised jazz. They found their way to each other circuitously, and it seems as if they were meant to put a band toge.......
more