Dapp Theory, the genre-bending quartet led by critically acclaimed jazz pianist and composer Andy Milne blends highly advanced jazz sensibilities with streetwise funk and a sizable dose of social commentary. The band creates music that is innovative, ambitious, bursting with raw energy, and always truly unique. The imaginative and passionate compositions found on Y’All Just Don’t Know, clearly shows that the band has discovered how to defy typical expectations and categories, in order to pursue their own musical path.
Liner Notes
When I set out to make this recording almost 3 years ago I had only a hazy notion of what it might sound like. As time passed, my vision came into focus, the dot com craze & record industry went bust, and my approach to living and composition shifted profoundly. Fortunately, I was blessed with supportive band-members, friends and family who recognized Dapp Theory as a special and unique musical force.
The opportunity to collaborate with Bruce Cockburn was a huge honor because I’ve respected his music & lyrics since my early teens. The timing was perfect because Bruce was beginning a sabbatical when I approached him. Organizing composing sessions in New Jersey, Toronto, New Hampshire and Montréal initially seemed daunting, however they came together with surprising ease, leaving Bruce and me free to dedicate ourselves to the creative process. A new friendship and 2 new compositions to our credit, I feel an enormous success from this period.
Although Bruce’s presence here may surprise some, it has always felt quite natural to me. Bruce represents an entire tradition of singer-songwriter-poet-musicians who have affected social change through the power of their words and politics, much like rap artists Chuck D, KRS-1, and 2-Pac. I wanted to pair Bruce with Kokayi, an MC of unparalleled intelligence and musicianship, to explore the similarities between the poetic expression found in hip-hop and folk-rock. Bruce Cockburn and Kokayi are wordsmiths from two distinct musical cultures, seeking to expose the truth through their art form.
Dapp Theory strives to link the essence of jazz with hip-hop and other forms of musical expression. It’s not about playing in any particular style, but about connecting to the sensibilities found within the band’s collective musical background. The music is rooted in jazz because it comes alive through creative improvisation with an emphasis on groove and profound melody. Deeply inspired by the masters of many musics, we strive to create our own music which emulates them only in their inventive spirit. Rich Brown, Grégoire Maret, and Sean Rickman each represent several decades of studying a vast range of music. Each possesses an extremely unique voice and immeasurable talent on their respective instrument. The joy for me comes from experiencing their exploration of the music, night after night.
I want to give major thanks to those who loaned me hours of their time, expertise and patience during the making of this recording: • Sean, Dick, and Ravi and your families, I could not have done this without your guidance, energy & support. Thanks for not kicking me out until it was finished. Your friendship and commitment can’t be measured • Chris for your steady support, friendship & advice and for taking a week off work to be there for a brother • Grégoire, Kokayi, Rich, Sean, and Mark for your patience & for taking the road beatings • All the musicians for your other-worldly musicianship, endurance & friendship • At Concord Records, Bob O’Connor and John Burk for your vision and Kent Liu and Abbey Anna for working hard to get this through for 2003 • Jose for jumping in at the last minute and making us look good • Tamar for feeling the vision & stretching with me • Rio and Dale at the Jazz Gallery for the field of dreams vibe • Stanley for being mellow & resourceful and Camille for letting us crash at the crib • Gene for being ready to jump in • Vincent for your skill, drive & time on the EPK • Patrick for documenting & mixing the Rocco 2002 sessions • Bob Lang for capturing me & BC • Rocco for helping us build a home in LA • Dan, Catalina, Byron, and Will for letting us crash • Phil for the liner notes & support • Jana for the PR & advice • Helmut for the extra footage & your generosity • Poz for listening & encouraging me with my dreams • Shernette and Anna at Alamo YYZ for the unlimited drive happy leeway • Bobby Colomby for your constant enthusiasm, guidance & sharing of your time & experience • George Ghiz for listening, brain- storming & going to bat • Mike, Joe, and Nancy for the great analog vibes • Mike Simm for hooking up the accommodations • Paul Schaffer for the congas • Mario for hooking up Shadrach • Jim and Chris for being there when I had no options & for going out on a major limb for me • MJ for your friendship & the vibe September House gave to Everywhere Dance • Idea Live for putting me through it. From death came life • Bruce Cockburn for being you, and for being available & down for the cause • Rich, Hubie, and Bernie for hooking up the BC connect • Iris for constantly questioning the written word • The Beattys for housing me & my car • My family for understanding how much this means to me • The Creator for blessing me with the determination, imagination & will to succeed • All of you who are supporting creative independent music by buying this CD. Y’all just don’t know...
If you were to ask, I couldn’t tell you. If I told you, you wouldn’t believe me. If I didn’t make it, you wouldn’t have it to enjoy. If you burn it, we can’t survive. Please support independent artists by purchasing – not burning – their CDs.
- Andy Milne
I ’ve always believed that, despite the limited vision and commercial constraints of the recording industry, there would always be an opportunity for exceptional artistry to emerge through the morass of mediocrity. Whether it be through word of mouth, or just spectacular good fortune, a truly inspired musical aggregation could sustain its existence and flourish by building upon a core audience and eventually break through to worldwide prominence.
Testing that supposition is Dapp Theory. Much like trying to pitch Seinfeld to a major network, the elements of this band are disparate at best. Yet, because of Andy Milne’s integrity and sheer brilliance in making those elements work, I believe Dapp Theory is the beginning of a sorely needed musical recrudescence.
As a musician and recording industry veteran, I was disturbed when I first encountered Dapp Theory’s music. Not only was I unable to figure out what the band was doing technically, I couldn’t classify their music in any existing category. But once I simply sat back, dispensed with my analysis and just listened, I was hooked.
- Bobby Colomby
The music of Andy Milne is the most startling aural revelation of my life since 1956, when I heard Jimmy Smith for the first time. I consider Andy’s music to be the next page because it is like nothing I’ve ever heard before. The eighth color of the Rainbow. I was totally spellbound when I heard the group at NAMM 2002 in Anaheim. It would have been the perfect next step for Miles and I’m sure it would have been his next move.
