The Apples at Cargo

The Apples at Cargo

11 September, 2008
by: TOrton

It's The Apples at Cargo… They're an Israeli band that fuse together samba, funk, jazz and turntables – and if the Middle East could get on as well as these mixed up genres do then the world would be a happier place.

Except actually they don't get on that well, I just thought that was a funny line. The band is greeted by the audience with a huge roar of delight and with such frenzied support I truly expect a blast of something a bit special. But the sounds are a mixture of disappointing sleazy funk, self-indulgent bassiness and out of place scratching from the matching dressed turntablists who look strangely Beastie Boys circa 'Intergalactic'.

I don't get it. Everyone else however appears to love it, girls whip their hair around in cheesy sexed up ways and the boys push and shove to the front to get closer to these oddities on stage. It's half carbon copy Ozomatli and half day time chat show, a bit 'funky', a bit 'groovy'. Garish outfits, Baker Street sax sounds and a severe lack of attitude and soul characterise The Apples tonight.

I really want to like this band, with all the expectancy in the air but they fall flat on my ears. The songs are long, self-satisfied and truly aggravating but possibly I'm just not drunk enough. World music is a term that is often derided by those in the know about it because it sounds naff, and I am not one of these people, I don't know enough, but this band to me epitomises the often prejudiced views of world music, it is naff. It is obviously fun to a lot in the audience and possibly my sense of humour got left behind in the cloakroom but this is not my cup of tea, nor is it my companion's and we leave, disappointed but craving more live music – Old Blue Last then, oh a band with two kookily dressed girls and a geeky but oh so 'trendy' (cringe) keyboard player- can't wait. I'd rather be back with The Apples; at least I could watch everyone else enjoying themselves.

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TOrton