MÂÄK'S SPIRIT - 5

• mâäk's spirit: 5
      (2006, cd, bel, werf records)

Friends of adventurous and improvised music should give Mâäk's Spirit a try.
This Belgian collective, with Laurent Blondiau and Jeroen Van Herzeele as core members, has been around for over 20 years.
"5" was indeed their 5th release and is a great introduction.

-- info: Danny Mathys

FRED HÄNDL - ZAPPA

• fred händl: zappa
      (2020, cdr, nl, private release)

Dutch keyboard player and pianist Fred Händl arranged and recorded 16 Frank Zappa compositions for his "Zappa" tribute album.
Recorded live and released on CDR in a limited, numbered and signed, edition of 100 copies.

Beautiful.
The complete stack has sold out, if I'm not mistaken. So let's hope it will eventually get a sort of Bandcamp or iTunes release.

COMBO BELGE - LIVE BEURSSCHOUWBURG

 

• combo belge: live beursschouwburg
      (1993, cd, belgium, igloo records)

Nine Belgian jazz musicians performing Afro-Cuban jazz.
"Live Beursschouwburg" was their third (and final) album, recorded in concert in Brussels, BE.

This is fun.
Featuring Joe Higham, who also recorded with The Eclectic Maybe Band, featuring Michel Delville and Guy Segers.

-- info: Danny Mathys

LANE STEINBERG - LANE STEINBERG COLLECTION 1984-2000

• lane steinberg: land steinberg collection 1984-2000
      (2001, cd, japan, em records)

The “Lane Steinberg Collection” compilation album presented material from various projects by New York based pop musician Lane Steinberg.

It got released in Japan in 2001 and included ‘Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance’, previously released on Tan Sleeve’s digital download “White Lie Castle” album, one of Lane Steinberg's projects.
Came with an obi.

Another addition to The Others Of Invention, recordings of the music of FZ.

THE CARIBBEAN JAZZ PROJECT

The Caribbean Jazz Project has at least 9 CD's out and Dave Samuels plays the vibes on all them.

Quite different from what Dave did in Zappa's band during the 1976 Palladium shows in NYC, but still interesting.

More info :
https://lamusicadeperev11d1.blogspot.com/2020/09/caribbean-jazz-project-9-cds.html

TWAN VAN GERVEN - HOW U GONNA STROKE YER SOLO

• twan van gerven: how u gonna stroke yer solo
      (2020, cd, nl, private release / home made records)

 A couple of weeks ago, Dutch guitar player Twan van Gerven presented his latest album at De Paradox club in Tilburg, NL.
With a concert, of course.
Excellent concert & a very impressive album.
The title hasn't been added to Twan's bandcamp page, but if you're into zappa-esque fusion music, you definitely need to check this album out.
Available from : https://www.twanvangerven.nl/

The below video was shot at De Paradox before and during the concert.
The music that you hear is from the album.

No surprise that the album liner notes say : "Home Is Where The Heart Is..."
At Home Made Records, of course.

A SUN RA UPDATE

The Strut records label re-released "Dark Myth Equation Visitation", Nidhamu" and "Horizon".
On vinyl.

The three albums are also available as a package deal.

Next to these three re-issues, Strut is also releasing "Egypt 1971" on CD. Due out in November.

And then there's the 5 LP "Egypt 1971" box set that included the three above mentioned vinyls plus two vinyls with unreleased material.
I'm assuming and hope that's what can be found on the CD.

Anyway, the 5 LP box was part of Record Store Day and has already sold out.

25 copies (!!) are already being offered on Discogs for three times the initial price tag and more...
Anyone else notice the imbalance?

BRUSSELS JAZZ ORCHESTRA

Fans of big band music should most certainly check out the Brussels Jazz Orchestra.
I had the opportunity to give two of their albums a listening session and I was quite impressed.
"Countermove" (2006) presented pieces by director and lead saxophone player Frank Vaganée.
"Signs And Signatures" (2010) included compositions by trumpet player Bert Joris.

Both out on the W.E.R.F. record label.

• brussels jazz orchestra: countermove
      (2006, cd, bel, werf)

• brussels jazz orchestra & bert joris: signs and signatures
      (2006, cd, bel, werf)
  
  

-- info: Danny Mathys

NICK MASON'S SAUCERFUL OF SECRETS - LIVE AT THE ROUNDHOUSE

• nick mason's saucerful of secrets: live at the roundhouse
      (2020, 2cd, uk, legacy)

Nick Mason (and Lee Harris) created Saucerful Of Secrets to perform the early music of Pink Floyd.
"Live At The Roundhouse" got recorded in May 2019.

Prog rock at its best.

Released on vinyl and on CD and also made available on DVD / Blu-Ray.

-- info: Danny Mathys

FLAT EARTH SOCIETY UPDATE

 Flat Earth Society is returning to the stage.

October 23, the band will perform at De Bijloke in Ghent, BE.

Early December, the band will start a series of 'work in progress' sessions in Mechelen, for Koen De Graeve's ORFEUS project.
Info : 
https://www.arsenaallazarus.be/kalender/item/orfeus-jamsessies---lazarus-koen-de-graeve-en-flat-earth-society-fes

 

PIERRE VERVLOESEM - INFLUENZA

• pierre vervloesem: influenza
      (2020, download, --, bandcamp)

 I already mentioned Pierre Vervloesem's latest release a couple of days ago but finally added the data to the United Mutations Archives and I'm happy to revisit this download.

"Influenza" is a great piece of music.
You have to prepare yourself before you start listening because it's a 38-minute piece, but it's worth it.

Love the build-up, the use of different sounds and how the guitar steers everything.

Treat yourself to a little adventure and give "Influenza" a try !
This is so freakin' good...
Highly recommended.

ORJA / B.STRUBER - LOVER

• orja / bernard struber: lover
      (1993, cd, fr, panmusic / famfatal records) 

Bernard Struber release a FZ tribute album with his Struber Jazztett in 2007 but he already released a Frank Zappa tribute in 1993 when he was director of the ORJA orchestra.
The piece was called 'Bonjour Frank! Zappa?' and included 4 suites. It got released on the "Lover" album.

In my ears, it's not really inspired in the musical sense, but it's a nice piece.

NORDMANN - IN VELVET

 

• nordmann: in velvet
      (2020, cd, bel, unday)

The latest Nordmann album arrived last week.
Jazzy soundscapes.
All about moods.
Like it.

• Mattias De Craene - saxophones, loops, synths
• Edmund Lauret - guitar
• Thijs Troch - synths, guitar
• Dries Geusens - bass, synth
• Elias Devoldere - drums

THE COMET IS COMING - AFTERLIFE

• the comet is coming: afterlife
      (2019, cd, uk, impulse!)

 The Comet Is Coming released "Afterlife" in 2019. That's even before "Trust In The Lifeforce Of The Deep Mystery" and I only found that out recently. Shame on me.

Anyway, another fine album.
Featuring King Shabaka Hutchings on saxophone.

DAVE LIEBMAN & THE BRUSSELS JAZZ ORCHESTRA - GUIDED DREAM

• dave liebman & the brussels jazz orchestra: guided dream
      (2011, cd, bel, prova records)

Saxophonist Dave Liebman has recorded and performed with Miles Davis, Elvin Jones and Chick Corea, to name three.
Together with the Brussels Jazz Orchestra, David recorded "Guided Dream", an album that presents swinging tunes as well as some beautiful ballads ('In A Sentimental Mood' !!).
Modern big band jazz !

ANOTHER FRANK ZAPPA RADIO SHOW BOOTLEG ANNOUNCED

Is it me, or was it rather silent in the FZ 'radio show / bootleg' corner ?

Well, here's another title : "Your Mother Should Know", Ann Arbor 1967.

PRINCE'S "SIGN O' THE TIMES" BOX GOT RELEASED TODAY

 

https://store.prince.com/dept/sign-o-the-times-104236?cp=103229_108321

"ZAPPA" AT THE FILM FESTIVALS

 

The "Zappa" movie / documentary will be screening at :

• OCTOBER 2 - Woodstock Film Festival

• OCTOBER 3 & 4 – SFFILM

• OCTOBER 10 - Camden Int’l Film Festival

NEW RELEASE BY PIERRE VERVLOESEM

Pierre Vervloesem's most recent release is called "Influenza".

One 40-minute piece.
Dark and menacing on one hand, but also quite adventurous on the other hand.
The piece ends with a magnificent guitar solo (that a.o. includes a little tease of FZ's 'Inca Roads') !

Highly recommended !!

 

JOE DENINZON & STRATOSPHEERIUS RELEASE STORM SURGE

Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius
with special guests, incl. Rachel Flowers

PRINCE IN 1987

On Thursday, September 24th, The Prince Estate in partnership with Warner Records and YouTube, will Premiere a vault recording of Prince’s celebrated 1987 New Year’s Eve Benefit Concert for fans across the globe.
The concert took place at Paisley Park on December 31, 1987, in support of the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless, and was Prince’s final performance of the Sign O’ The Times Tour stage show and his only on-stage collaboration with jazz legend Miles Davis.

JAZZ MIDDELHEIM

 Tonight at the Jazz Middelheim festival in Antwerp, BE.

19.00-20.00 u. – Jeroen Van Herzeele & Stéphane Galland play ‘Interstellar Space’

21.00-22.30 u. – Aka Moon

MANNHEIMER SCHLAGWERK FEAT. MARKUS REUTER - SUN TRANCE

'Sun Trance' is a 30-plus minute piece. 
Composed by Markus Reuter, it featured the Mannheimer Schlagwerk percussion ensemble plus Markus Reuter on Touch Guitar.

The actual piece is one big soundscape.
The mix of the percussion and the Touch Guitar fits perfectly.

NEW RELEASE BY ALAN JENKINS

Cordelia Records · Horse Day

 Alan Jenkins And The Kettering Vampires have a new album out.

http://www.cordeliarecords.co.uk/Pages/Buy%20Records.html

STEVE VAI PLAYS JOE SATRIANI'S 'TEARDROPS'

Nice.
Steve does Joe.
With the backing track USB. 

BUISONIC IN CONCERT

 I enjoyed Joost Buis' Buisonic project at the Plusetage in Baarle Nassau, NL, a couple of weeks ago.

Joost Buis - trombone
Jeroen Kimman - guitar
Paul Pallesen - guitar
Dion Nyland - double bass
Tristan Renfrow - drums

The ensemble also did two concerts at Het Bimhuis in Amsterdam, NL. 
These got recorded for Bimhuis TV :

ED WYNNE - SHIMMER INTO NATURE

 

• ed wynne: shimmer into nature
      (2019, cd, uk, kscope)
  

Ed Wynne is the man behind The Ozric Tentacles.
"Shimmer Into Nature" is his solo debut from a a bit over a year ago.

This is great stuff.
Ambient soundscapes serve as backing for 5 beautiful guitar instrumentals.
Space rock at its best.

Shut Up 'N Give It A Listen...

MARKUS REUTER OCULUS - NOTHING IS SACRED

From the Bandcamp page:

"This is insane music. I used a compositional system that basically disallowed the musicians to play intuitively. They had to follow rules which served to create really strange melodies and harmonies," Markus revealed. "In the back of my mind, I wanted to create something as fundamentally radical as was (Miles Davis') 'Bitches Brew,' back in the day ... sort of an improvising 'big band' – where each player is on their own when it comes to specific pitches, but connected in terms of a common rhythmic grid and unified texture."

Recorded live in the studio (at the 4th annual MoonJune gathering, at La Casa Murada, Catalunya, Spain), every song is a mesmerizing journey, weaving seamlessly between various coarse and fine textures, where moments of tranquil harmony magically morph into spells of delightfully chaotic dissonance, stampeding one minute, and tip-toeing, the next.

Within the context of such challenging musical environs, some extraordinarily gifted, visionary players emote with defiant abandon, somehow, never discarding their unified 'the whole is greater than the sum of its parts' mindset or their polished collective dynamic swagger. Such paradoxes abound throughout this timeless classic.

Five extended compositions are thoroughly probed, despite the inherently reverential treatment they receive from the participating artists. Exhibitions of musical brilliance are overshadowed by the abstruse ingenuity of the foundation upon which they're constructed, amalgamated sonic offerings take on a life of their own. 

Out on Moonjune Records
Released on CD but also available as digital download.

SNARKY PUPPY UPDATE

Snarky Puppy will be re-releasing a remastered version of their 2010 "Tell Your Friends" album.
They've already made a couple of download tracks available for people who pre-ordered the album.
Sounds great.

THE COMET IS COMING - DEATH TO THE PLANET

 

• the comet is coming: death to the planet
      (2017, 12", uk, dock 64)
  

From 2017 already...
TCIC / The Comet Is Coming featuring King Shabaka on the saxophone.

Highly recommended if you have a taste for electronic jazz.

CARL KING'S "THAT MONSTER SHOW" UPDATE

That Monster Show Release Date: October 3, 2020

Hi everyone! Quick update to let you know we are releasing the 13-minute animated pilot on OCTOBER 3, 2020.

The animator, Lance Myers, and I will be live streaming on Twitch that evening to discuss the project... with many more live stream Q&As with cast & crew to come!

That Monster Show stars Julia Aks, Joanie Brosas, Cole Johnson, Dan Foster, Laila Berzins, and Leeanna Vamp.
Created and Written by Carl King, Animated by Lance Myers.

ROXY AND COMPANY RADIO SHOW

https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/RADIO3282418043?selected=RADIO9638869403

NEW RESIDENTS RELEASE ANNOUNCED

"In Between Dreams - Live In San Francisco" 

Released December 4, 2020.

EARLYBIRD PRE-ORDER SPECIAL!

GET AN EXCLUSIVE 7″ VINYL OF PICNIC/LOSER + GOD’S MAGIC FINGER (LIVE IN JAPAN) FOR £5 – ONLY AVAILABLE AS AN ADD-ON WITH THE FIRST 250 PRE-ORDERS OF THE IN BETWEEN DREAMS CD/DVD RELEASE (NOT FOR INDIVIDUAL SALE)!

https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/the-residents-in-between-dreams-live-in-san-francisco-cd-dvd-edition/

JIMI HENDRIX - LIVE IN MAUI

Recorded live outdoors in Maui, Hawaii, on July 30, 1970.
Available on 2 CD or 3 LP set next November.

https://www.jimihendrix.com/music/music-money-madness-jimi-hendrix-in-maui/

NEW PRINCE BOX SET

Prince's upcoming "Sign O' The Times" box set is getting a lot of attention.

New tracks on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/album/3743OmxhbZblJxwYI4JJbj

A Podcast series:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7gkWkSaMa4gl4OHEb0zwjj?si=YbuvOYQxTO6xzmRYRzefig

REUTER - MOTZER - GROHOWSKI - SHAPESHIFTERS

 from the Bandcamp page :

Speaking in general terms, "shapeshifting" refers to an act of rapid physical transformation, from one form to another by supernatural means. Whether its origins can be traced to a genetically inherited superhuman ability, incidences of the spirit world manifesting into the physical, shamanism, black magic, or something still completely unknown, has been the subject of much speculation for those who have dared question whether the concept is, indeed, a fictional one.

In an historical context, references to shapeshifting appear through poems, literature and cultural art and practices dating back centuries. It remains a common belief among Native American tribes. Adding to the countless thousands who have claimed to be eyewitnesses to this phenomenon over the years, there exists an ever-growing body of empirical evidence which challenges forensic examination, defies explanation and demands validation.

On the 18th of August, in the year 2019 AD, a shapeshifting experiment was conducted at a sonic laboratory in Brooklyn, NYC. The experiment involved three principle participants: touch guitarist & sonic pioneer. Markus Reuter; the equally able, agile and adventurous guitarist and sonic texturist, Tim Motzer; and the extraordinary chronological conductor, Kenny Grahowski – each proficient in the mysterious art of "sonic shapeshifting". The experiment's venue: ShapeShifter Labs. The experiment's premise: What are the corporate results of three highly skilled sonic shapeshifters, released from captivity into a high-energy environment?'What types of behavior will be observed, and what forms might they assume?'

An intro that got my curiosity.
The session resulted in beautiful, improvised soundscapes in which Markus Reuter, Tim Motzer and Kenny Grahowski all steered and followed.

MARKUS REUTER - touch guitar, electronics
TIM MOTZER - guitars, bass, electronics
KENNY GROHOWSKI - drums

Released on the MoonJune Records label.
Available on CD and from Bandcamp.

ED PALERMO IN CONCERT ON OCTOBER 3

The e-mail says : 

You're invited to join "Ed Palermo & Friends"
at The Falcon on Oct 3rd for dinner with incidental music.

Reserve your table now!
Seating is limited.

https://www.liveatthefalcon.com/reservations

JOE SATRIANI GUITAR / USB STICK

 
"Stripped x Three" presents a stripped version (= backing tracks) of three Joe Satriani albums, presented as a guitar-USB stick.

Nice !
Available at bandwear :
https://shop.bandwear.com/collections/joe-satriani-shop/products/sat001

NEW RELEASE BY DWIKI DHARMAWAN

DWIKI DHARMAWAN - 'Hari Ketiga' (2CD)
An Improvopera in Nine Acts
To be shipped around the second week of September.

TODD RUNDGREN'S SPACE FORCE

From GlassOnyon PR

Rock Legend Todd Rundgren Releases First Single “Espionage” From His Forthcoming Album Space Force

Following his critically-acclaimed album of collaborations, White Knight, released in 2017 on Cleopatra Records, rock legend Todd Rundgren is releasing a new single “Espionage” from his forthcoming album Space Force. In contrast to its futuristic title, Rundgren returns to the days of yesteryear when artists would release several singles first before releasing an “album,” or collection of singles. Thus, Space Force will be released to digital platforms as individual singles, each with its own unique artwork, every 3 or 4 weeks with the entire album coming in early 2021.

First up is a song as adventurous as Space Force suggests, the ambitious collaboration “Espionage” with Muslim hip hop artist Narcy.

“The song is actually an orphan of White Knight. Narcy and I began the colab in the final days of that album and we couldn’t get it finished in time, so in a sense it’s the first song of Space Force.”
- Todd Rundgren

Keep an eye out for more Space Force singles including collaborations with Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo and idiosyncratic pop stars Sparks as well as a video for “Espionage.”

Stream the track here: https://orcd.co/todd_rundgren_narcy_espionage

YUGEN - LABIRINTO D'ACQUA

 

• Yugen: Labirinto d'Acqua
      (2006, cd, italy, artrock)
  

The first album by Francesco Zago's Yugen ensemble also was the first album to be released on the renowned ArtrOck record label in 2006.
Excellent.
Essential listening.

YUGEN - IRIDULE

 

• Yugen: Iridule
      (2010, cd, italy, altrock)

Yugen was Francesco Zago's project, combining prog rock with chamber music elements.
"Iridule" was Yugen's third release. It got released on the AltRock record label.
The eleven tracks feature angular melodies and complex rhythmic structures.
This definitely is my cup or tea (or coffee on a Sunday morning).

YIN YIN

 Yin Yin is going strong. Their recent album, The Rabbit That Hunts Tigers, has been issued in Japan.

Check it out.

ORCHESTRA NAZIONALE DELLA LUNA -- THERE'S STILL LIFE ON EARTH

• Orchestra Nazionale Della Luna: There's Still Life On Earth
      (2020, cd, --, bmc records)

 The Orchestra Nazionale Della Luna has a new album out.

• Manuel Hermia – saxophones, flute & bansouri
• Kari Ikonen – piano & moog
• Sebastien Boisseau – double bass
• Teun Verbruggen – drums

I was impressed by their first release, but "There's Still Life On Earth" is amazing.
Structured but also experimental at times, the album keeps you on your toes. Love the sax (or flute)/piano and sax/moog melody lines. It adds a beautiful oriental flavour.
And with a plastic waste / Covid-19 picture on the album cover, the band shows their concern about what is happening to the world.

NEW ALBUM BY KING KHAN FEATURES MARSHALL ALLEN AND KNOEL SCOTT

 King Khan's new album features Sun Ra Arkestra's Marshall Allen and Knoel Scott on two tracks.

The album begins with "Wait Till The Stars Burn", a planetary ode to the Sun. The second track "Tribute to the Pharoahs Den", is a requiem for Danny Ray Thompson (R.I.P.) of the Sun Ra Arkestra, his music and legacy now floating above us in the infinity of space. Both tracks and featuring Marshall Allen and Knoel Scott (of the Sun Ra Arkestra).

Out on Bandcamp and on vinyl.

COR MUTSERS

Dutch guitar player and composer Cor Mutsers has a new album out, "Op Eigen Houtjes", on which he performs a Frank Zappa piece.

I assume it FZ's Theme from 'Lumpy Gravy', also known as 'Duodenum', of which a little YouTube video has been posted.

More info soon.

PENGUIN CAFE ORCHESTRA

The Penguin Cafe Orchestra.
On Bandcamp. Or on CD. 
Quite enjoyable.

ORCHESTRA NAZIONALE DELLA LUNA

Manu Hermia, Kari Ikonen, Sébastien Boisseau and Teun Verbruggen are Orchestra Nazionale Della Luna.
Belgium, Finland, Belgium and France.
And the result sounds great.

Modern, experimental and melodic.
Check it out.
This is there first album, released in 2016.

CORRIE VAN BINSBERGEN IN CONCERT

 Upcoming concerts by Corrie van Binsbergen

26 sep 19:30 / 22:00 Bimhuis Amsterdam, NL
Vanbinsbergen Playstation - REMISE

07 nov 22:40 Festival Woordnacht Rotterdam, NL
Frédérique Spigt - Misantroop

14 nov 20:30 Plusetage Baarle Nassau, NL
Vanbinsbergen Playstation - REMISE

20 nov 21:00 Jazzpodium De Tor Enschede, NL
Vanbinsbergen Playstation - REMISE

27 nov 20:00 Paradox Tilburg, NL
Vanbinsbergen Playstation - REMISE

EDDIE JOBSON TO RELEASE A LIVE DOUBLE ALBUM

From GlassOnyon PR

Prog Legend Eddie Jobson To Release “EDDIE JOBSON – LIVE” New Double CD 

Musicians’ musician and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Eddie Jobson, best known for his virtuosic violin and keyboard work with Roxy Music, Frank Zappa, King Crimson, Jethro Tull and supergroup UK, brings us a compilation of live performances from Poland, Russia, Japan and the U.S.A. with his all-star ‘U-Z Project.’

Jobson’s live concert recordings feature guest musicians Marc Bonilla, Alex Machacek, Marco Minnemann, Mike Mangini, Greg Howe, Simon Phillips, Trey Gunn, TJ Helmerich, Billy Sheehan, Ric Fierabracci, Tony Levin and special guest appearances by John Wetton.

ENSEMBLE STUDIO DAN

 Ensemble Studio Dan has some concerts scheduled 

SPA CONCERTS
Five days of new sounds and strange music in the courtyards of the Franz-Novy-Hof
Mo, 7. September – Fr, 11. September 2020, Franz-Novy-Hof, 1160 Wien, AUSTRIA

KLANGSPUREN FESTIVAL 2020
Passaggio Verso Il Rischio
Th, 17. September 2020 – 8:00pm, Haus der Musik, great hall
Universitätsstraße 1, 6020 Innsbruck, AUSTRIA

Which reminded me of their Frank Zappa tribute recordings from a while ago :

https://soundcloud.com/studiodan/sets/tribute-to-frank-zappa

PASCAL COMELADE

The "États-Unis" record label has re-issued two albums by Pascal Comelade: "Sentimientos" and "Fluence"

Electronic and meditative.

In later years, Pascal would get known for exploring sounds and music, using a.o. toy instruments.

From on of his more recent albums :

THE UNIVERSE BY EAR

September 11, The Universe By Ear will be sharing the bill with Dave From Hollywood & The Professor.

Fr. 11.9.2020, 20Uhr, Quarterdeck Basel - Uferstrasse 80, Basel

The Professor (USA)  //  The Universe by Ear (CH)  //  Dave from Hollywood (CH)