ICP Orchestra, Oh My Dog! (CD)

2001's Oh My Dog! finds ICP Orchestra at their most playful and absurd. There isn't a lot of recognizable jazz here, and the compositions meander through humor and insanity, with few listener-friendly stops. The musicianship is, of course, amazing, and when they do introduce more overtly musical ideas, it's always rewarding and fun. Oh My Dog! is a fun romp for existing ICP fans, but it's unlikely to win converts or even invite repeated listens. The cover art finds Han Bennink at his most playful, especially behind the CD in the DigiPak, and Dick Lucas's recording is clean and neutral (if a bit overly so).