ZAPPA TRIBUTE CONCERT BY THE UH HILO JAZZ ORCHESTRA

Frank Zappa's music seems more alive than ever.

Zappa tribute concert at the UH Hilo Perfoming Arts Center in Hawaii.

http://hilo.hawaii.edu/news/view/12057

CLASSE MANNEQUIN - CLASSE MANNEQUIN

• classe mannequin: classe mannequin
      (2016, lp, ??, head records)

A bit too tense and too nervous to be considered pop, but that's fine with me.
Classe Mannequin recently presented their first album. It's out on the Head Records label.

I like it.
It reminds me a bit of David Thomas / Pere Ubu.

Out on Head Records.
www.head-records.com

Vinyl available from Mandaï.
www.mandai.be

ULTRAPHALLUS

When I mentioned the latest Ultraphallus album about a week ago, I had only listened to the download of the album. Earlier today, I picked up the physical copy of the album.

It still sounds great, but it looks beautiful as well.
The CD is a nice digipack, and the vinyl edition is on blue-ish marbled vinyl !!

Includes 'Sinister Exaggerator' (The Residents)

• ultraphallus: the art of spectres
      (2016, cd, bel, sub rosa)

THE HEIMATDAMISCH

This clip is all over facebook, but it's so funny that I had to post it as well.

VARIOUS ARTISTS - ROMANTIC WARRIORS III SPECIAL FEATURES DVD

• various artists: romantic warriors III special features dvd
      (2016, dvd, usa, zeitgeist media)

I already told you that my weekend was great. It kicked off with a fabulous concert by the Sun Ra Arkestra, and it continued with another excellent edition of the Mosae Zappa festival (thanks again, Tim. Thanks again, Chantal).

It was at this very festival, right after the amazing concert of The Wrong Object, that I bought this DVD : "Romantic Warriors III Special Features DVD". It features Soft Machine Legacy, Dave Sinclair, Forgas Bandphenomena, The Muffins, Glass, and last but not least, the inimitable Wrong Object.
The DVD presents three tracks by The Wrong Object and if I'm not mistaken, all three (or at least two) were performed during the Mosea Festival concert as well. Great stuff, and there's a  lot of bands and music that I'm not familiar with on this DVD. Always worth investigating.

R.I.P. ALLAN ZAVOD

Allan Zavod toured and recorded with Frank Zappa in 1984.
He passed away on November 28, 2016.

Allan on working with Frank :
http://www.allanzavod.com/interviews_zappa_rolling_stone_mag.asp

MOSEA ZAPPA 045

Landgraaf, NL, was the place to be on Saturday night as the main part of third edition of the Mosae Zappa festival settled at 'De Oefenbunker'.

I was told that the pre-parties (sing-along + DJ on Friday night, and the Saturday afternoon concert by Antoine Putz) had been enjoyed by all, so I was quite curious for the sequel.

Saturday night started with John's Got A Sausage, a project by a bunch of local musicians. The warm-up. Charming.

Next up was The Wrong Object. They played original material and lots of Zappa stuff. They had practiced some new Zappa material as well. This was great. A stunning performance, beautiful arrangements and loads of energy. One word: Wow !

Third in line was Bits From Hell, an exercise with midi files and Zappa music. Nice, but way too close to the original versions. The set could probably have been more powerful if it would only have lasted for 10 or 15 minutes.

And last but not least : The Foolz. Relaxed as always, the guys played a fine selection of Zappa songs. A bit sloppy at start maybe, but I really liked them. The audience loved them too.
Too bad that it got a bit too late and that people started to leave during the show. I did as well.

It was great to see my fellow Zappateers again (from Ireland, England, Sweden, Norway, Germany, NL and BE) and I did attend one superb and half of a fine concert.
Worth the trip !

SUN RA ARKESTRA

Saw the Arkestra, under the direction of (92-year old) Marshal Allen at De Singer in Rijkevorsel, BE, last Friday.

This was and will be an absolute highlight of my musical year. I had seen the band in Tilburg, way back, where they performed for one week in a row, so expectations were high but they delivered.
An amazing concert.

Check out their tourdates and try to catch them.

Next year, they should be playing at the Jazz Festival in Leuven. Not confirmed as of yet, but do keep an eye out for this.

DWEEZIL ZAPPA AT ZAPPANALE 2017 !!

* * * breaking news * * *

Dweezil Zappa will be performing at Zappanale 2017.

Zappanale
14 - 16.07.2017

More info soon.

SUN RA

How Sun Ra’s Definitive Singles Catalog Finally Saw The Light of Day

https://daily.bandcamp.com/2016/11/21/sun-ra-feature/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_content=Sun+Ra

IDRIS ACKAMOOR AND THE PYRAMIDS

Idris Ackamoor and The Pyramids have a new album out on the Strut Records label.

Here's 'Rhapsody in Berlin', from 2015.

NEW OSTRICH VON NIPPLE EP OUT TODAY

https://www.psychofonrecords.com/ostrich-von-nipple-qualifies-absurdity-out-today/

DWALMACAT 666

Beat The Devil with this week's Dwalmacat Radio Show :

https://beta.mixcloud.com/Dwalmacat/dwalmacat-666-beat-the-devil/

400 BLOWS – Beat the devil
RIP, RIG & PANIC – Beat the beast
ORBITAL – Satan
THE RESIDENTS – Something devilish
EVIL SUPERSTARS – Satan is in my ass
TOM WAITS – Way down in the hole
BARRY ADAMSON – Jazz devil
MONTE CAZAZZA – Stairway to hell
TUXEDOMOON – Tritone (musica diablo)
LUSTMORD – Ixaxaar
ENNIO MORRICONE – Night flight
THE BONZO DOG BAND – 11 moustachioed daughters
JACK MALMSTEEN – Satan takes a holiday
PRIMAL SCREAM – Miss Lucifer
PINK FLOYD – Lucifer Sam
COZY POWELL – Dance with the devil
KING CRIMSON – The devil’s triangle (finale)
LEGENDARY PINK DOTS – Hellsville
ROLLING STONES – Sympathy for the devil
BOYD RICE – There was never a moment that evil was real

CHARLES BOBUCK DIGITAL RELEASE

Previously available on CD, and now as digital download on Bobuck's Bandcamp page :

"The Swords Of Slidell"


"Later Tonight"

WHERE THE SHARK BUBBLES BLOW

"Where The Shark Bubbles Blow" is a new 7CD box set that collects the following radio show recordings :

Providence College, Rhode Island, April 26th 1975
Vancouver, 1st October 1975
Palladium Theater,NYC 31st October 1977
The Ritz, New York City November 17th 1981

It's my guess that this is repackaging of CDs that were previously made available as (fill in title).

Artwork might look like this :

BRUNO VANSINA

Bruno Vansina is performing "Het Serpent", a shadow play that tells the story of Maité, the bird and the snake.
Music by Martin Denny, reworked and rearranged by Pierre Vervloesem.

I saw the performance at Flat Earth Day at De Singel in Antwerp a while ago and it was great.

December 10, 2016, at jazz club De Rataplan in Antwerp, BE
Afternoon show
at 15h00 !!
http://www.rataplanvzw.be/Detail/tabid/193/ArticleId/2146/HET-SERPENT.aspx

Announced as a show for kids (or for families), but that shouldn't stop you.
Get out those shorts and act like you're twelve again. Exotica rules !!

Pierre Vervloesem (guitar), Frank Van Eycken (vibes, marimba, percussion), Bruno Vansina (flute, melodica, synth, concept, ...), Katrien Vandergrooten and Isabelle Dekeyeser (shadow play), Bram Goots (video), Roel Snellebrand and Bart Celis (sound)

NORDIC - COLLAGE

• nordic: collage
      (2016, cd, sweden, dimma sweden dimma dis034)

Swedish folk trio Nordic consists of Anders Löfberg (cello), Magnus Zetterlund (mandolin) and Erik Rydvall (nyckelharpa). To be quite honest, I had never heard of a nyckelharp before. It's a typical Swedish instrument that looks a bit and sounds a lot like a violin.

On this brand-new and beautiful album, "Collage", the ensemble also delivers an astonishing version of Frank Zappa's 'Blessed Relief'.

My search for bands that perform the music of Frank Zappa not only brought me an excellent coverversion, but also a beautiful album.

ED PALERMO IN CONCERT

performing the music of Frank Zappa and more...

Nov 28, 2016 concert at The Iridium, NYC

Dec 17, 2016 concert at The Falcon, Marlboro, NY
               with special guest Napoleon Murphy Brock

Dec 28, 2016 concert at The Iridium, NYC

RICHARD PINHAS, TATSUYA YOSHIDA AND MASAMI AKITA - PROCESS AND REALITY

• richard pinhas, tatsuya yoshida and masami akita: process and reality
      (2016, cd, usa, cuneiform)

Imagine Richard Pinhas (who just released "Mu" with Barry Cleveland) making an album with Tatsuya Yoshida (of Ruins, Korekyojinn and Koenjihyakkei fame) and Masami Akita (Merzbow).
Well, it just happened and the result got released on Cuneiform.
French electronic rock meets Japanese avant-garde and noise.

Richard Pinhas: guitar, electronics
Tatsuya Yoshida: drums
Masami Akita: electronics

The album includes four tracks of which the second one lasts over thirty minutes.
Experimental.
Dark and heavy.

The info sheet adds :
Process and Reality marks the first recorded convergence of these three avant-rock giants, though Pinhas has recorded with both Yoshida and Merzbow in the past and all three have toured extensively together in Japan . The album, recorded in Tokyo during a recent high-profile tour, captures the fevered intensity and violently textured depth of the trio's collaborative improvisations. The music made by Pinhas, Yoshida and Akita seethes and roils in a constant state of both turbulent flux and visceral realization.

The guitarist says of his collaborators, 'They explore 100% of their possibility. We have the same kind of spirit.' That spirit seems to blanch in the face of the modern age. Though he doesn't regard Process and Reality as the still-to-come third part of his 'Devolution Trilogy,' the album arrives in the midst of an unprecedentedly ugly American presidential election and in the shadow of a series of tragic terrorist attacks in the guitarist's native France. If that's all too downbeat for an evening's listening, Pinhas also sees the album as a celebration of his cherished friendship with these Japanese artists. 'Japan is the best scene in the world,' he asserts, and while he foresees a radical change in his sound approaching in 2017, he continues that, 'Always I will work with my forever friends.'

Out on Cuneiform
http://www.cuneiformrecords.com/

Available from Mandaï
www.mandai.be

OSTRICH VON NIPPLE AUDIO CLIPS

Want to check out Ostrich Von Nipple ?
Here's some audio clips !!

http://ostrichvonnipple.com/audio-ovn/

TAIVAANVUOHI - 1973

• taivaanvuohi: 1973
      (2016, lp, finland, swart records sre005)

A little while ago, I mentioned a CD-release on the Finnish Swart Records label that presented two bands: Wigwam and Taivaanvuohi. The album (CD) presented material that got recorded in the early seventies and that hadn't been released to date.
At the time of release of this CD, both the Wigwam and the Taivaanvuohi part got released on vinyl as well.
So here's the data for the vinyl edition of the Taivaanvuohi part of the "Poplisa 03/04" album. It also includes Taivaanvuohi performing Frank Zappa's 'Orange County Lumber Truck'.
Limited edition on colored (blue) vinyl. Comes with an insert and a poster.

Prog rock act Taivaanvuohi nearly released an album for Finland's Love Records in 1974, but called it quits before finishing the recording. Luckily enough, this 1973 live session survived in the archives of Finnish Broadcasting Corporation.

A fine addition to The Others Of Invention (artists performing the music of Frank Zappa).

RICHARD PINHAS AND BARRY CLEVELAND - MU

• richard pinhas and barry cleveland: mu
      (2016, usa, cd, cuneiform)

When two renowned guitar players team up, you just know that you have to pay attention.
The result of the collaboration between Richard Pinhas and Barry Cleveland is entitled "Mu" and it has just been released on the Cuneiform Records label.

Together with electric bass player Michael Manring and drummer Celso Alberti, the quartet has produced four beautiful pieces that could be described as soundscapes, infused with ambient, electronic and world music elements.

Check it out.

Out on Cuneiform
http://www.cuneiformrecords.com/

Available from Mandaï
www.mandai.be

NEW JEFF RICHMAN ALBUM FEATURES VINNIE COLAIUTA

Jeff Richman's brand-new "Sizzle" album features Vinnie Colaiuta on drums !

OSTRICH VON NIPPLE - QUALIFIES ABSURDITY

Yesterday, I was able to give the brand-new Ostric Von Nipple album a first listen.
I'm still recovering.

By releasing "OVN Qualifies Absurdity", Ostrich Von Nipple allows us another glimpse of his universe. With the help of r0b0t, Steve Moss and Nolan Cook, OVN keeps on pushing the boundaries.
In six tracks and 20 minutes you get a mixture of wacky melodies, noisy soundscapes and mutated lounge music.
My favourite track is 'Forbidden Pleasures', a short (but sweet) rhythmic exercise.

1. We wanna
2. Lounging Around
3. The Others
4. Forbidden Pleasures
5. Then What
6. The Bungler

The mini-album is presented on a 3"-CD and will be made available in two different edition by the Psychofon Records label in a couple of days.

Be sure to check it out.
https://www.psychofonrecords.com

ULTRAPHALLUS - THE ART OF SPECTRES

• ultraphallus: the art of spectres    (2016, cd, bel, sub rosa)

Belgian band Ultraphallus hails from Liège. "The Art Of Spectres" is their fourth album.

Ultraphallus defines their sound with some accents from different styles including Western Music, Death metal, Doom-Rock, Avant-garde Psychedelia and Electronic Soundtracks, as a tribute to Rock Culture.

I like this. There's seven dark and heavy tracks to be found on "The Art Of Spectres", including the band's rendition of 'Sinister Exaggerator', originally recorded by The Residents.

Available on CD and on vinyl !

Out on Sub Rosa
http://www.subrosa.net/en/catalogue/soundworks/ultraphallus.html

Available from Mandaï
www.mandai.be

THE RESIDENTS - DOUBLE TROUBLE

http://www.residents.com/doubletrouble/

From 1972-76, The Residents, inspired by Federico Fellini, The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari and Betty Boop cartoons, dumped nearly half a decade of creativity into Vileness Fats, a film they expected to become the ultimate underground movie of all time. It was never finished.

Fast forward forty years to 2016. The Residents have become inspired again, not to finish Vileness Fats, but to re-contextualize the original video into a brand new film, Double Trouble. In the new film, the time is 2023. Randy Rose, the group's singer has just died, and his son, Randy, Junior, a Catholic priest, is having a nightmare.

That's all you need to know.

Just make sure you scroll down the Double Trouble page to see the crowdfunding project for this movie.
Or click here : http://ralphsells2u.squarespace.com/

R.I.P. NIGEY LENNON

Nigey Lennon is the author of the book "My Time With Frank Zappa"

Nigey passed away Monday, November 14 due to complications from radiation therapy she received in 1998. She survived the cancer, but not the treatment. She thought she was fighting a virus, but instead she was fighting a battle she couldn't win.

Our thoughts go to her friends and family.

OLGA NEUWIRTH & ICI ENSEMBLE - WHO AM I ? / NO MORE

• olga neuwirth & ici ensemble: who am i ? / no more
      (2009, cd, ger, neos music) 

I recently received an e-mail from Brainpang in which he invited me to check out Olga Neuwirth's collaboration with the ICI Ensemble, saying that the album included a huge amount of FZ samples, word quotes and more.

In the meantime, I did find a copy of the CD and I'm blown away by it. Both of the pieces on this album are like amazing Zappa tributes.
Wowie Zowie !!

As a bit of side info, let me tell you that Olga Neuwirth worked with Pierre Boulez, David Lynch, The Ensemble Intercontemporain and with The Ensemble Modern.
And on this very 'Who Am I ? / No More' album, she plays the 'bicycle machine' (!!) and uses text fragments from Kafka's 'Lettre au Père'.

Check out this sample !!
I never thought I'd hear Pierre Boulez siren and the Batman theme in the same piece.

THE SOUND OF URCHIN - THE DIAMOND

• the sound of urchin: the diamond
      (2005, cd, usa, hybrid recordings hy20042)

Privately released in 2003 and re-released on the Hybrid Recordings record label, "The Diamond" was the second album by Brooklyn-based The Sound Of Urchin.
At the time, the band featured Robbie 'Seahag' Mangano on guitar and vocals.
Apparently, one of Seahag's bandmates in Project/Object, Jordan Shapiro, joined the band on a regular basis for concerts.

Straight-forward, alternative rock music.

Here's the title track :

CHARLES BOBUCK - CB SUITE

Charles Bobuck just added the "Coochie Break Suite" to his digital shop over at bandcamp.
Originally released in 2003.  (editor's note : should have read "2013", and might even be "2014")

GENE PRITSKER - MELODIES ALONE CAN PROUDLY CARRY THEIR OWN DEATH

• gene pritsker: melodies alone can proudly carry their own death - the chamber music of gene pritsker
      (2016, cd, usa, composers concordance records comcon037)

On this latest release on the Composers Concordance record label, various musicians and small ensembles perform chamber music pieces that were composed by Gene Pritsker.
Readers of this blog probably know that Gene Pritsker has no musical boundaries. On "Melodies Alone Can Proudly Carry Their Own Death", the listener gets a glimpse of Gene's chamber music output. These are beautiful and impressive pieces. My favourites are 'A Certain Degree Of Neurosis' and 'Essence', mostly because the use of melodic percussion, and 'Ineffably Still', an amazing piece that is performed by an unusual combination of instruments: bass clarinet and electric guitar.

Something that you should check out !

Available through Amazon and Naxos :
http://naxosdirect.com/items/melodies-alone-can-proudly-carry-their-own-death-the-chamber-music-of-gene-pritsker-373546

SUN RA ARKESTRA UPDATE

The Sun Ra Arkestra is coming to Yurrip.

November 22nd. London, U.K., Cafe Oto, 18-22 Ashwin St. 8 pm
November 23rd. London, U.K., Cafe Oto, 18-22 Ashwin St. 8 pm
November 24th. Brugge, Belgium, Biekorf, Sint-Jakobsstraat, 6
November 25th. Rijkevorsel, Belgium, De Singer, Bavelstraat, 35
November 26th. Nijmegen, The Netherlands, Lux, Marienburg 38-39, 8:30 pm
November 27th. Leeds, U.K., Belgrave Music Hall
November 28th. London, U.K., Cafe Oto, 18-22 Ashwin St. 8 pm
November 29th. London, U.K., Cafe Oto, 18-22 Ashwin St. 8 pm
December 2nd. Munich, Germany, Kammerspiele, Maximilianstrasse, 26

THE MUFFIN MEN PLAY THE MUSIC OF FRANK ZAPPA

Friday, December 2, 2016.
at The Continental
The Continental, South Meadow Lane,
Preston, Lancashire PR1 8JP
UK

http://newcontinental.net/whats-on/event/muffin-men-zappa-beyond

JUDY HENSKE AND JERRY YESTER

Uncut Magazine discusses "Farewell Aldebaran", the 1969 album that got released on Frank Zappa Straight record label :

http://www.uncut.co.uk/reviews/album/judy-henske-jerry-yester-farewell-aldebaran

And the music:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL94gOvpr5yt2CyWf6xxiTol9--WI9-tx-


-- info: François Kneepkens

THE RESIDENTS - RUSHING LIKE A BANSHEE

The Psychofon Records label has just released a brand-new 7" by The Residents.

'Rushing Like A Banshee', with 'Train vs. Elephant' on the B-side.

Superb. And if that isn't enough, the Psychofonrecords website mentions that these tracks are from an upcoming album, "The Ghost Of Hope".
Excellent news.

Common element in both of these tracks is the the rhytm of a train. This is no surprise as "The Ghost Of Hope" is all about famous train wrecks and incidents.
Great energy and intensity.

Featuring Eric Drew Feldman (of Captain Beefheart / Magic Band fame) and Carla Fabrizio (!!).

Available in different editions.
Get it here :
https://www.psychofonrecords.com/product/the-residents-rushing-like-a-banshee/

CAPTAIN CHEESE-BEARD IN CONCERT NEXT MAY

Captain Cheese-Beard will be doing a concert at the 'Fakkeltheater' in Antwerp, BE, on May 18, 2017.

http://www.fakkelteater.be/voorstelling/captain-cheese-beard

CHARLES BOBUCK - TRUMP

ZAPPATIKA IN CONCERT IN THE HAGUE ON NOV 25

Zappatika! will be performing the music of Frank Zappa
at 'Musicon' in The Hague, NL,
on Friday, November 25, 2016

Zappatika added :"The new ZAPPATiKA line up will play their first live show featuring 3 full sets of 100% FRANK ZAPPA music. There is NO pre-sale for this event,just show up and get yer tickets at the door ! Only 7,50 pp. so come on down and Crank some Frank on a Friday night !!"

DWALMACAT 664

More madness with the Dwalmacat radio show :

https://www.mixcloud.com/Dwalmacat/dwalmacat-664/

• VERONIQUE VINCENT & AKSAK MABOUL – Saure Gurke 2016 / Le troisième personage – Paysage volé
• SNATCH – R.A.F.
• DICK SCHORY – Jungle root
• PERE UBU – Dr. Faustus
• BOREDOMS – Bite my bollocks
• 17 PYGMIES – A thousand lights
• THE RESIDENTS – Possessions
• EXCEPTER – Shattered skull
• SLEAFORD MODS – Tweet tweet tweet (Alternative version)
• EUGENE CHADBOURNE – Light my fire / Working man blues
• BENJAMIN SCHOOS ft. LAETITIA SADIER – Je ne vois que vous
• JOHN J. CABANIS – Dieu poisson
• MARC SLEEN – De olifant
• ASMUS TIETCHENS – Kreuze des Südens
• COSEY FANNY TUTTI – Such is life

MURRAY MCNABB - THE WAY IN IS THE WAY OUT

• murray mcnabb: the way in is the way out
      (2016, 2lp, new zealand, sarang bang records) 

In the meantime, I received Murray McNabb's "The Way In Is The Way Out". A great album in a stunning package.
I mentioned the album a little while ago, saying that it included one of Murray McNabb's projects, Space Case, performing Frank Zappa's 'King Kong'.
Well, to be quite honest, FZ's 'King Kong' sounds great, but the entire album is amazing.

Data have been entered into the United Mutations Archives !

Info on how to acquire the digital album or the (limited to 250 copies) vinyl edition can be found on the Sarang Bang Records bandcamp site :

SAO PAULO UNDERGROUND - CANTOS INVISIVEIS

• são paulo underground: cantos invisiveis
      (2016, cd, usa, cuneiform)

Around 2005 Rob Mazurek started São Paulo Underground together with Mauricio Takara and Guilherme Granado. The band recently released their fifth album, "Cantos Invisiveis".

The title translates from Portuguese as 'invisible corners' or 'invisible songs' or 'disappearing corners or songs'. This music evokes the elusive nature of these songs, 'the way we make our music, always masking it in some kind of way, a disappearing through layering and sound manipulation,' Mazurek says. 'The songs kind of disappear in a way like a cloud of pink in the sky. We create atmospheres that cause form and melody to disappear, and to reappear'

On "Cantos Invisiveis", the trio, Rob Mazurek (cornet), Mauricio Takara (drums and cavaquinho (guitar)) and Guilherme Granado (keyboards), is joined by Swiss-born São Paulo resident Thomas Rohrer (wind instruments and rebeca (fiddle)). Everyone is also credited with electronics, percussion and voice, resulting in a very dense sound. Comparisons with the Sun Ra Arkestra are obvious.

"Cantos Invisiveis" is an impressive album.
Repetitive, hypnotic soundscapes, taking influences from all over the world.
Check it out.

Out on Cuneiform Records
http://www.cuneiformrecords.com/

Available from Mandaï
www.mandai.be

BILLY COBHAM - LIVE 1976

• billy cobham: live 1976 from new york hofstra playhouse
      (2016, cd, uk, gonzo multimedia gonzo hst358cd)

The Gonzo Multimedia label has released a number of Billy Cobham concerts on CD. Each album has a similar cover and is taken from a radio broadcast.

We know by now that most of these so-called 'radio broadcast' albums do not present the best quality audio recordings and, unfortunately, "Live 1976 From New York Hofstra Playhouse" is no exception.
On the other hand, this album does present a superb line-up :
Billy Cobham, George Duke, Alphonso Johnson and John Scofield,
and they play a fabulous set, including Frank Zappa's 'Echidna's Arf (Of You)' and the Duke / Zappa collaboration 'Uncle Remus'.

Excellent.

PINK FLOYD - FRANK ZAPPA

Here's part of the Pink Floyd / Zappa Amougies video that is being released in the Pink Floyd box that I mentioned a couple of weeks ago.

https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/t50.2886-16/15027346_1044673635631985_7801722077873963008_n.mp4

VARIOUS ARTISTS - PSYCHEDELIC STATES * INDIANA * VOL.1

• various artists: psychedelic states * indiana - vol.1
      (2006, cd, usa, gear fab gr-220)

"Psychedelic States * Indiana * Vol.1" includes the B-side of the Basooties 1967 single "I'm So Proud / You Didn't Try To Call Me".
As you could have guessed, 'You Didn't Try To Call Me" was written by Frank Zappa.

VANBINSBERGEN PLAYSTATION

Vanbinsbergen Playstation performing 'Mopje' at North Sea Jazz 2016.

MOE - EXAMINATION OF THE EYE OF A HORSE

• moe: examination of the eye of a horse
      (2016, lp, norway, conrad sound)

Norwegian band MoE is not to be confused with American jamband moe. (although I like them both).
MoE is Guro Skumsnes Moe (bass, vocals), Joakim Heibø Johansen (drums) and Håvard Skaset (guitar), and on "Examination Of The Eye Of A Horse" they bring a powerful, energetic mixture of noise and experimental rock.

The trio has been around for about five years and has toured Europe. China, Japan, Vietnam, Mexico, Thailand, Malaysia and Australia.

"Examination Of The Eye Of A Horse" is their sixth album if you include their "Oslo Janus" series.

Check out their bandcamp page !
The Norwegian band MoE is known for mixing their minimalistic compositions with alternative and experimental approaches that fails to fit in the rock genre. With countless collaborations exceeding the borders of rock and noise, MoE seeks the absolute presence in the execution of the music. Loud and violently, they molest their instruments and brings the listener closer to a healthy insanity.


Out on Conrad
http://www.conradsound.com/moe/

Available from Mandaï
http://www.mandai.be/

NRBQ BOX SET

The Omnivore Recordings record label is about to release a 50 years retrospective 5CD box set.
Also includes rare and unreleased material.

The first CD starts with 'Love In Outer Space" (Sun Ra).

ZAPPA - CHICAGO '78

• zappa: chicago '78
      (2016, 2cd, usa, zappa records zr20025)

"Chicago '78".
Frank Zappa captured in concert at the second show at the 'Uptown Theater' on September 29, 1978.
The band featured FZ, Ike Willis, Denny Walley, Tommy Mars, Peter Wolf, Ed Mann, Arthur Barrow and Vinnie Colaiuta'.

disc one

1. chicago walk-on
2. twenty-one
3. dancin' fool
4. easy meat
5. honey, don't you want a man like me?
6. keep it greasy
7. village of the sun
8. the meek shall inherit noghing
9. bamboozled by love
10. sy borg

disc two

1. little house i used to live in
2. paroxysmal splendor (includes 'fz & pig', 'i'm a beautiful guy', 'crew slut')
3. yo mama
4. magic fingers
5. don't eat the yellow snow
6. strictly genteel
7. black napkins

Beautiful.

WADADA LEO SMITH - AMERICA'S NATIONAL PARKS

• wadada leo smith: america's national parks
      (2016, 2cd, usa, cuneiform)

Wadada Leo Smith, who recently turned 75, wrote a 28-page score for his Golden Quintet entitled "America's National Parks". A recording of the six movements of the suite can be found on this brand-new release on the Cuneiform Records label.

For the occasion, Wadada Leo Smith reconfigured his quartet, adding an extra voice.
Next to pianist Anthony Davis, bassist John Lindberg and drummer Pheeroan akLaff, cellist Ashley Walters joined the band.

The result is quite impressive.

Here's an excerpt :


Out on Cuneiform Records
http://www.cuneiformrecords.com/

Available from Mandaï
http://www.mandai.be/

Recommended listening !

FRANK ZAPPA - LITTLE DOTS

• frank zappa: little dots
      (2016, cd, usa, zappa records zr20026)

Dweezil Zappa keeps on performing his dad's music. An admirable initiative.
In the meantime, Ahmet Zappa is selling everything he can get his hands on to pay off the ZFT's debt. Not illogical as he wants to keep the ZFT alive.

The latter is responsible for "Little Dots", the latest ZFT release.
Presenting recordings from November and December 1972, "Little Dots" showcases Frank Zappa's Petit Wazoo band.

Fabulous music and great stories (in the liner notes).
Amazing !!

MIKE KENEALLY AND THE ARISTOCRATS PERFORMING ZAPPA'S ZOMBY WOOF

POST-MATERIALISTS SUN RA TRIBUTE

Split 7" of Post-Materialists and Gargamelek, with the Post-Materialists' tribute to Sun Ra.

1. Post-Materialists - Squirming Womb Of Love/Space Smile 08:12
2. Gargamelek - Hammerandsickle Rose 08:48



Amazing free-jazz split record between two cult underground art-formations. Post-Materialists hail from Moscow and reproduce their vision of Sun Ra ideas. Gargamelek hail from St. Petersburg and play Honeysuckle Rose in his own obscure way!

-- info : FB

A TONE STONIES UPDATE

In a reaction on one of my recent posts, the Tone Stonies said :
"...and YES a physical CD is soon to follow within this month.", wich means that their new album, "Needle In The Tone Arm" will get a CD-release.

WALT FOWLER'S GEORGE DUKE TRIBUTE

Last year, Steve Gadd released the second album of the Steve Gadd Band, "70 Strong". The album featured, among others, former Zappa-bandmember Walt Fowler on trumpet.
"70 Strong" not only features Walt Fowler, the album also presents 'Duke's Anthem', a tribute to the late George Duke, composed by Walt Fowler.

On DimeADozen, one can find a recording of the concert the Steve Gadd Band did in Austria on November 11, 2015. The band featured Walt Fowler and 'Duke's Anthem' was included in the setlist.

Here's a video recording of 'Duke's Anthem' from the Nefertiti Jazz Club in Gothenburg.

-- info: Jan van Kemenade

ASAF SIRKIS

MoonJune record label artist Asaf Sirkis gets presented by MoonJune on this new free-download sampler.

STEVE VAI

June to August, Steve Vai played in Europe with his Passion and Warfare 25th Anniversary Tour.

Here's a picture of the tour book :

CHAOS OF THE HAUNTED SPIRE - LIVE AT HET BOS

• chaos of the haunted spire: live @ het bos
      (2015, lp, bel, rat records rat 031)

Chaos Of The Haunted Spire is Teun Verbruggen and Andrew Claes.
The both of them have appeared in many bands and projects.
Teun Verbruggen : Flat Earth Society, Othin Spake, Too Noisy Fish, ...
Adrew Claes : Brzzvll, Hamster Axis Of The One Click Panther, STUFF., ...

This is their third release as Chaos Of The Haunted Spire. It's out on the Rat Records label.

Improvised music : drums/percussion plus sax/EWI and electronics.
Beautiful.

JONO EL GRANDE

Earlier today, I was listening to Jono El Grande's "Melody Of A Muddled Mason".
Released last year, and just beautiful.

Did I ever tell you that the first edition pressing (of 500 copies) of the vinyl album came with a single sleeve CD-version of the album ?
For those of you who don't care about such things, there's also the regular CD digipack version.

• jono el grande: melody of a muddled mason
      (2015, lp/cd, norway, rune grammofon)

NEW ALBUM BY THE TONE STONIES

The Tone Stonies (remember their fabulous "Absolutely Freaks" album?) have a new album out.
It's called "Needle In The Tone Arm" and it includes Don Van Vliet's 'I'm Gonna Booglarize You, Baby' and Frank Zappa's 'Take Your Clothes Off' !!

Dowload is already available from CDBaby.
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/thetonestonies2

Let's hope the CD-version is coming soon.

BOBBY VOLARE - OUT TO LUNCH

• bobby volare: out to lunch
      (1982, lp, usa, tostada records)

Dean Opperman (stage name: Bobby Volare) does parodies. Next to 'The Wind Cries Bobby' and 'Lock The Snackbah', to name two, "Out To Lunch' also includes Bobby's version of Frank and Moon Zappa's 'Valley Girl'. His version is called 'Valley Guy'.

Data has been entered into The United Mutations Archives.
Contrary to the albums that I mentioned in my previous two posts, this one is easy to find.

ERNST - S/T

• ernst: ernst
      (1982, lp, ger, private release 60643)

Adding info to The Others Of Invention (artists who recorded the music of Frank Zappa), here's Ernst with their eponymous album, privately released in 1982.
It includes Frank Zappa's 'Magic Fingers'.

1984 - PIN UPS

• 1984: pin ups
      (1988, lp, japan, portrait records)

Japanese band 1984 released their version of Frank Zappa's 'Trouble Comin' Every Day' on their 1988 album "Pin Ups.
11 tracks on this album. All coverversions.

Data has been added to The Others Of Inventions over at the United Mutations Archives.

FRANK ZAPPA - FEEDING THE MONKIES

For some reason or another, I never mentioned the vinyl version of Frank Zappa's "Feeding The Monkies...", so here it is.
CD got released in 2011, the LP in 2015.
The LP only includes the first three tracks that could be found on the CD.

Album cover artwork by John Alexander.

• frank zappa: feeding the monkies at ma maison
      (2015, lp, usa, zappa records zr 20012-1)

MORE EVIL DICK

Completing the Evil Dick (And The Banned Members) discograpy on the United Mutations Archives, here's the data for "Coprophagism" (1998) and "Rock 'n' Random" (2002).

• evil dick: coprophagism
      (1998, cd, uk, polemic music / fmr fmrcd60--v0998)

• evil dick and the banned members: rock 'n' random
      (2002, cd, uk, polemic music pm09)

Both albums can be bought together with Evil Dick's "All That Glisters" as part of a very nice deal.

Don't hesitate.

http://www.evildick.co.uk/

JULIE SLICK - S/T

• julie slick: julie slick
      (2010, cd, usa, private release)

When I saw Julie Slick performing bass with the Adrian Belew Trio last February, I was happy to bring home a copy of her "Terroir" album. Little did I know that this wasn't her first album.
So about half a year ago, I ordered her debut album through her Bandcamp page (https://julieslick.bandcamp.com/) and I've been giving it regular spins ever since.

Looking at the list of people that participated on this album, I imagine that it's a collection of tracks that got recorded in different parts and at various times. The result, however, is beautiful and fits together very nicely.
Less 'prog' than the music on the "Terroir" album, "Julie Slick" presents 14 beautiful melodic tracks, with the bass up front, as it should be.

Recommended listening !

EVIL DICK - ALL THAT GLISTERS

• evil dick: all that glisters
      (2016, cd, uk, private release)

'Something completely different', you say?
Well, here's "All That Glisters" the impressive brand-new album by Evil Dick.

Experimental soundscapes, free improvisations, electronic compositions? They're all present on "All That Glisters".
This is really good. I saw Evil Dick And The Banned Members in concert once, at Zappanale, and I brought home a CDR that included some live material at the time. I liked what I saw and heard, but "All That Glisters" is another level.

Great album, great packaging !
Love it.

This YouTube snippet will give you an idea of what to expect :

FRANK ZAPPA / ENSEMBLE MODERN POSTER

I've been cut/copy/paste-ing some nice images from the Julien's Auction to the United Mutations Archives.

Here's the poster for the Ensemble Modern's Yellow Shark performance, September 1992.

BRETTS MILK - DADDY'S BREATH

• bretts milk: daddy's breath
      (2016, cd, ger, psychofon records pr007)

As you can imagine, the music that gets aired at the United Mutations Headquarters is quite different from what one can hear on his or her local or national radio station.
"Daddy's Breath", the first release by Bretts Milk, is no exception.

With the help of Ostrich Von Nipple and special guests Hamface and Nolan Cook (on 'Milky Nipps' !), Bretts Milk has produced a very impressive album. The Residents' influence is obvious but not overwhelming. This is good, and funny too.
I have listened to "Daddy's Breath' numerous times the last couple of days and I keep discovering new things all the time.
Browsing the net for me info, I found this excellent review on LastRewind :
http://lastrewind.com/2016/10/review-bretts-milk-daddys-breath/
It includes some samples as well, so be sure to check it out.

"Daddy's Breath" is an excellent album. You need to hear it.

The album has been released in a limited edition of 200 copies, so don't wait too long.
It's out on Psychofon Records :
https://www.psychofonrecords.com/

This is music from the other side of the fence and that's fine with me, as I dwell on that other side most of the time.

JULIEN'S ZAPPA AUCTION

It looks like the auction has started.

Catch a glimpse (or make an offer) right here :

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/192/?page=1

It starts with furniture, but there's some interesing stuff in there as well.
Guitars, amplifiers, the grand piano, ...

Frank Zappa's lighter?
Current bid is 5,500 US $

STEVE VAI - PASSION AND WARFARE 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

• steve vai: passion and warfare 25th anniversary edition
      (2016, 2lp, usa, epic / friday music frm-68030) 

Two weeks ago, I finally received my vinyl copy of Steve Vai's "Passion And Warfare 25th Anniversary Edition". Pressed on 180 g clear vinyl by Friday Music.
Looks and sounds great.

If you have the "Modern Primitive / Passion And Warfare 25th anniv. edition" 2 CD-set from earlier this year, there's nothing new to be found on the vinyl edition (the 2 CD-set also includes the amazing "Modern Primitive" album !!), but this 2 LP-set does look great.

http://www.fridaymusic.com/

AT HOME WITH FRANK ZAPPA, 1989

CBS, June 9, 1989

SUN RA / MERZBOW - STRANGE CITY

• sun ra / merzbow: strange city
      (2016, cd, uk, cold spring records 228)

• sun ra / merzbow: strange city
      (2016, lp, uk, cold spring records 229)

Officially licensed from Irwin Chusid of the Sun Ra estate, Cold Spring's Justin Mitchell negotiated rare and unreleased tracks from the Sun Ra archive to be remixed and treated by Masami Akita.

Masami Akita, as some my know, is none other than Merzbow, a Japanese noise artist who has released over 400 recordings !!

Cold Spring released both an LP and a CD and both have completely different material.
The CD includes : 'Livid Sun Loop' and 'Granular Jazz part 2',
while the LP includes 'Granular Jazz part 1', 'part 3' and 'part 4'.
The LP download does have a bonus track : 'BBC Mix'.

I like the idea, I like the concept and I think the artwork is great but, musicwise, this isn't exactly 'easy listening'. I don't mind experimental stuff and free improvisation and tape manipulations, but 'noise' takes it one step further.
I'll have to give it another listen at another occasion...

ZAPPA MUSIC ON GERMAN ROCK RADIO

German Rock Radio will be broadcasting part three of their Zappanale review on November 20.

They will also take a peek at the upcoming Mosae Zappa festival (on the 26th of November !!)

Zappanale #27: Reviews, part 3 / Mosae Zappa 045 preview
Sunday November 20 at 20h00

http://rockradio.de/sendung_info.php?auswahl_lfdnr=15914&name_der_seite1=rock-zeit

The Mosae Zappa festival will take place in Landgraaf, NL,
and features The Foolz, Bits From Hell, The Wrong Object, and John's Got A Sausage.

More info about Mosae Zappa : http://www.mosaezappa.com/

DWALMACAT 663

The Dwalmacat radio show keeps going strong.

Episode 663 :

https://www.mixcloud.com/Dwalmacat/dwalmacat-663-wim-dekker-blowpipe-records/

• BIG HARE – Fun face
• ELEKTRA – Atlantinea (Drowned mix)
• PLUS INSTRUMENTS – Ghost
• THE SNIFTERS – I like boys (Demo version)
• DENEUVE – Anger
• HARRY MERRY – Turn tune
• ROOIE WAAS – Bepaal jij dat?
• BIG HARE – Adult life
• K.T. REEDER – System broken (Brexit mix)
• MINNY POPS – Vital
• DENEUVE – Nightclubbing
• PLUS INSTRUMENTS – Your mind
• BETONFRAKTION – Those smelly rags aren’t mine
• SMALTS – Waterlanders

THE MUSIC OF MURRAY MCNABB

Sarang Bang Records has just released a tribute to the late Murray McNabb.
"The Way In Is The Way Out - The Music Of Murray McNabb" has been made available as a digital download and as a limited 2 LP release.

It includes a fine version of FZ's 'King Kong' by Space Case, one of Murray McNabbs projects.

MAURITS PAUWELS - AFSCHEID IN KLOTEN

• maurits pauwels: afscheid in kloten
     (2016, cd, bel, stahlmus)

Mauro Pawlowski's alter ego, Maurits Pauwels, released his first solo album last month.
"Afscheid In Kloten" presents 10 fragile, honest (and sometimes funny) songs. In Dutch.

I like it.
I like it a lot.

ISABELLE ANTENA - ON A WARM SUMMER NIGHT

• isabelle antena: on a warm summer night
      (1988, cd, japan, victor musical industries vdp-1317)

In 1987 Isabelle Antena released her "Tous Mes Caprices" album. It combined pop/jazz vocals with a bit of a bossa feel and included an excellent version of Frank Zappa's 'Village Of The Sun'.

Less than one year after "Tous Mes Caprices", the album got re-released in Japan as "On A Warm Summer Night". Different order of the songs, minus one track, plus another. The Zappa track was still present.
In 2006, the album got a re-release in Japan, with 5 live bonus tracks. No Zappa among these bonus tracks, however.

Here's Isabelle Antena with her excellent rendition of 'Village Of The Sun'.

FRANK ZAPPA - VANCOUVER WORKOUT

• frank zappa: vancouver workout
      (2016, 2cd, uk, zip city)

So a couple of weeks ago, I finally received "Vancouver Workout", a semi-official / radio-broadcast 2CD set that included Frank Zappa's October 1, 1975 concert at the 'Gym' in Vancouver.

Frank Zappa, Napoleon Murphy Brock, Roy Estrada, Andre Lewis and Terry Bozzio.

Superb.

The ZFT is missing a fine opportunity with these radio show recordings...