CARL KING'S CHRISTMAS / NEW YEAR'S MEDLEY

It sure beats a postcard.

RESIDENTS' UPDATE

 Next up in The Residents pREServed series is "Freak Show".
It will be released as a 3 CD set next February.

https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/the-residents-freak-show-3cd-preserved-edition/

REVE D'ELEPHANT ORCHESTRA - DANCE DANCE

• rêve d'éléphant orchestra: dance dance
      (2020, cd, bel, de werf / igloo records)

The Belgian Rêve d'Eléphant Orchestra (Elephant's Dream Orchestra) might just have the best band name I've ever heard.
And they sound like you would expect from a band with that name.
This jazz septet has been making music for 20 years and celebrates this event with the release of "Dance Dance", their fifth album.

Beautiful.

KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD - LIVE IN BRUSSELS '19

Exag Records will release an album by King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard.
Live at the AB in Brussels in 2019.
Limited to 300 copies.

https://exagrecords.bigcartel.com/product/king-gizzard-the-lizard-wizard-live-in-brussels-19

TOON TELLEGEN AND CORRIE VAN BINSBERGEN'S QUINTET

 Amazing...

• Toon Tellegen - narrator
• Corrie van Binsbergen - guitar
• Joost Buis - trombon / lap steel
• Albert van Veenendaal - piano
• Hein Offermans - bass
• Alan “Gunga” Purves - percussion

December 27, 2020 Live Stream on Bimhuis TV

BABA ZULA - DERIN DERIN

• baba zula: derin derin
      (2019, lp, ??, glitterbeat records)

Istanbul-based BaBa Zula mixes traditional Turkish music with western elements giving it a rather psychedelic flavour.
Nice !

https://www.babazula.com/

Here's a snippet of their Dutch "Le Guess Who" 2014 concert, with a female guest vocalist.

TRIGGER - PULL

• trigger: pull
      (2019, cd, portugal, shhpuma)

Trigger featured Will Green on electric guitar, Simon Hanes (Tredici Bacci) on electric bass and Aaron Edgcomb on drums.
Initially, the three musicians were brought together by John Zorn to perform his 'Bagatelles' and 'Apparitions' score books.
Later, the trio would also record "Pull".
Released on the Portugese Shhpuma label, "Pull" presents three tracks. Three quite energetic and experimental tracks.
Adventurous stuff.

The album was made available on CD, but also on Bandcamp, so you can give it a listen right here:

SOFT WORKS - ABRACADABRA IN OSAKA

• soft works: abracadabra in osaka
      (2020, 2cd, usa, moonjune) 

Recorded live at Namba Hatch in Osaka, Japan on August 11, 2003, the Soft Works band presented Elton Dean (sax), Allan Holdsworth (guitar), Hugh Hopper (bass guitar) and John Marshall (drums).

On the Bandcamp page, Moonjune label manager Leonardo Pavkovic explains in detail how this project came together. It was the re-birth of Soft Machine, as well as the start of Moonjune.
A fascinating read.
https://softmachine-moonjune.bandcamp.com/album/abracadabra-in-osaka-elton-dean-allan-holdsworth-hugh-hopper-john-marshall

"Abracadabra In Osaka" is quite exceptional. Although all four members of Soft Works were once part of Soft Machine, they never were in the band at the same time.
Beautiful.
Recommended listening.

STUDIO DAN'S ZONK!?!! PROJECT

ZONK!?!! was a project by the ensemble Studio Dan, held in late summer of the pandemic 2020. The focus and goal was a 10-day “musicalization” of the public space of Vienna´s 20th district. Passersby were experiencing art – music, installations, sound installations, performance art, and dance – “on their way”. Purely functional spaces were set in vibration.

Music by Anthony Braxton, Viola Falb, Dominik Fuss, Vinko Globokar, Michael Gordon, Nik Hummer, Tom Johnson, Philipp Kienberger, Raphael Meinhart, Julia Purgina, Steve Reich, Christof Ressi, Damaris Richerts, Daniel Riegler, Leo Riegler, Terry Riley, Clemens Salesny, Giacinto Scelsi, Christian F. Schiller, Karlheinz Stockhausen, James Tenney and Michael Tiefenbacher.

SUN RA RE-RELEASE

Newly remastered and with a bonus track: Sun Ra's "On Jupiter".

https://sunramusic.bandcamp.com/album/on-jupiter

 

MEIER, HANES & AMBERG - STAGGERED TWISTED ANGLED

• meier, hanes & amberg: staggered twisted angled
      (2020, cd, switzerland, wide ear records)

David Meier (drums), Simon Hanes (electric bass) and Elio Amberg (tenor saxophone) released "Staggered Twisted Angled" on the Zürich, Switzerland-based Wide Ear Records earlier this year.

Swiss musicians Elio Amberg (EA quartet, Schööf, iety) and David Meier (Schnellertollermeier, Zimmerlin-Stoffner-Meier, LEON) formed their collective trio with California via Brooklyn electric bassist Simon Hanes (Tredici Bacci, Trigger, John Zorn’s bagatelles project) in fall 2018 while on a residency in New York.
They draw on influences as diverse as contemporary classical music, free jazz, punk and rock. The resulting music is improvised, non-idiomatic and combines wild energy with a sharp compositional awareness and subtle use of sound.

7 pieces. 7 experimental puzzles.
Fascinating.

Album artwork by Austin Sley Julian.
https://austinsleyjulian.com/

Check it out on Bandcamp :

GARY WILSON & TREDICI BACCI - ANOTHER LONELY NIGHT IN BROOKLYN

• gary wilson & tredici bacci: another lonely night in brooklyn
      (2017, cd, usa, feeding tube records)
  

Checking out the Tredici Bacci ensemble, I received an album they did with Gary Wilson.
Recorded in 2016 and released on CD in 2017, "Another Lonely Night In Brooklyn", presents material that Gary Wilson originally recorded in 1977, when he also released his "You Think You Really Know Me" album.

Here's the original 1977 album :

AHMET AND DWEEZIL ZAPPA

 Ahmet and Dweezil Zappa hosted Happy Hour, quite some years ago.

THE SATELLITES ARE SPINNING

 
Kellarissa
The Satellites Are Spinning (Sun Ra)

ENRIQUE RODRIGUEZ & THE NEGRA CHIWAY BAND - FASE LIMINAL

• enrique rodriguez & the negra chiway band: fase liminal
      (2020, lp, uk, soul jazz records)

Santiago, Chile-based percussionist, keyboard player and composer Enrique Rodriguez released "Fase Liminal" on the Soul Jazz Records label.
Spiritual jazz with repeating riffs and vocal chants.

JOHN ZORN - LES MAUDITS

• john zorn: les maudits
      (2020, cd, usa, tzadik)

With two of the pieces recorded in 2015 and the third on in 2020, "Les Maudits" presents John Zorn's tribute to French culture.
I'm not too familiar with John Zorn's discography, but this does sound pretty impressive.
The first piece, 'Ubu', sounds like a collage of experimental pieces.
The second and third piece, 'Baudelaires' and 'Oviri' are modern chamber music pieces.
Nice.

PIERRE VERVLOESEM - LOU RICK'S ISLAND

Pierre Vervloesem's musical output is overwhelming.
Still, I look forward to every new release as he continues to surprise me.

'Lou Rick's Island ' is the soundtrack taken from the exotico fantastic mini series that Pierre has in his mind. From the Theme of the first track to the end titles song, those 12 tunes will make you travel in Pierre 's imaginary TV show. Better than Netflix??? You bet!!! 

Contemporary Exotica.

Check it out on Bandcamp :

NEW HARDY FOX (RESIDENTS) RELEASE

 New Hardy Fox (Residents) album available from the Klanggalerie record label :

Hardy Fox was the primary composer of The Residents. He created an incredible body of work, using all kinds of names other than The Residents, amongst them Combo De Mechanico, Sonidas De La Noche, Dead Eye Dick, Charles Bobuck or Black Tar And The Cry Babies. The Tar projects were generally created to help raise money for needy projects for poverty, mass destruction in fire, and to fight the evil of Trump uprising. Before Hardy died, he sent us several albums to be released after his passing. One of these is this collection of obscure tracks recorded between 2013 and 2015, entitled Oddities. Hardy also made the cover design for it and we are proud to give this to you as a limited edition TOOK release. This is the only time Hardy used the name Bob Uck and The Family Truck. We jokingly called Mr. Bobuck Bob or Bobby Uck, this explains the project name.

http://www.klanggalerie.com/gg360

RÊVE D'ELÉPHANT ORCHESTRA IN CONCERT

 
The Rêve d’Eléphant Orchestra has been around for 20 years, and that is surely something to celebrate. The seven eccentric musicians in this collective present their latest album. Their music merrily goes off in all directions, absorbing abundantly from jazz and eastern and African cultures. The horn players are casually impressive with their skilful playing, always spiced with a healthy dose of humour. But take heed: the exhilarating rhythms emanating from the rhythm section will not allow you to sit still. Before you know it you’ll be rocking approvingly in your chair.

Light up the festive period with a free live concert during the Keep Music A-live festival, every evening at 3 and/or 8 pm. From 13 until 20 December ✨

ZAPPANALE = A MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO FRANK ZAPPA

 From Vinylrausch Musikmagazin

This compilation was recorded during the last 15 years during the Zappanale. It contains parts from the unpublished documentary LIKE A SICKNESS / KOSMISCHE BROCKEN, which tells the story of a journey into the heart of passion. Recommended for educational purpose only.
kosmische-brocken.de

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS

 Spike Jones & His City Slickers - All I Want For Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth) 1948

GERNOT FRIEDBACHER'S RADIO SHOW ON RADIO ORANGE

Episode 70 – Frank Zappa – At 80 – 23.12.2020, 20h00

This edition of “Music Across” is dedicated to Frank Zappa, who would have celebrated his 80th birthday on December 21, 2020. However, the program is not a comprehensive biography of Frank Zappa, nor is it a systematic overview of the entire oeuvre of this fascinating musician; it uses a few selected examples to illuminate the musical influences on Frank Zappa's development, as well as the reception of his person and his work in the music world. Zappa called himself a rock n ‘roll musician, but he was much more than that. He used all the musical and linguistic ingredients to realize his ideas without taking any trends into account.

Gestaltung, Am Mikrofon, Tontechnik & Produktion: Gernot Friedbacher

 Playlist:
https://o94.at/programm/sendung/id/1700359

TREACHEROUS CRETINS LIVE

Prostate Cancer UK donation link: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraisin...

Music Venue Trust link - https://www.gofundme.com/f/2pt5g8k

On the 21st December 2020, Frank Zappa would have turned 80 years old. To mark the occasion, Treacherous Cretins and a cast of very special guests have come together to celebrate by bringing you a remotely-recorded online show.

Treacherous Cretins will be joined by...

ROBERT MARTIN
CRAIG "TWISTER" STEWARD
MARTIN HENNECKE
ED PALERMO
RAY WHITE

Our special guests have all generously and freely given their time and effort to support this event.

The great Frank Zappa passed away from prostate cancer in 1993, aged just 52. Our aim is to bring people together to celebrate Frank's life and music, and raise money for Prostate Cancer UK and the Music Venue Trust. Donations are greatly appreciated.

All music written by Frank Zappa

Music is the best

INVENTIONIS MATER LIVE

DANIEL NETO QUINTET - OLHO DE PEIXE

•  daniel neto: olho de peixe
      (2018, cd, portugal, private release)

Guitar player and composer Daniel Neto's quintet released their "Olho De Peixe" album in 2018.
It included a beautiful version of FZ's 'Little Umbrellas'.
Check the album out on Bandcamp:

ZAPPATIKA - BEFORE THE SHIT HIT THE FAN - LIVE IN THE U.K.

 Zappatika, featuring Ike Willis, released "Before The Shit Hit The Fan", with highlights of their U.K. tour.

STARZY SINGERS - ROCK-A-BOBU

•  starzy singers: rock-à-bubu
      (2009, 2cd, poland, lado) - incl. 'king kong' (frank zappa)

Polish band Starzy Singers released "Rock-à-Bobu" in 1999.
The 2009 re-release of the album presented a bonus disc. One of the tracks on this bonus disc was Starzy Singers' version of FZ's 'King Kong'.
Right after  The Stooges' 'I Wanna Be Your Dog'.

An excellent version of 'King Kong'.

ALDO ROMANO - REBORN

• aldo romano: reborn
      (2020, cd, france, le triton)

The French LeTriton label recently released Italian jazz drummer Aldo Romano's "Reborn" album.
Track 4 is the ensemble's performance of Frank Zappa's 'Twenty Small Cigars'.
With Glenn Ferris on the trombone.
Fine version. Fine album.

TAKE YOUR PILLS

From the "Take Your Pills" documentary, shown on Netflix.

16 minutes in the documentary, one can hear FZ's radio spot for the Do It Now Foundation, with FZ's picture shown on the background.

Here's the trailer.

GHOST FUNK ORCHESTRA - AN ODE TO ESCAPISM

• ghost funk orchestra: an ode to escapism
      (2020, lp, usa, karma chief records)

Seth Applebaum's Ghost Funk Orchestra recently released "An Ode To Escapism".
Mysterious, psychedelic afro-jazz.
I love it.

This kind of music puts me in a good mood.

I was happy to learn that the band has lots of stuff available through Bandcamp.
Need to check that out.

"An Ode To Escapism"

GOV'T MULE LIVE AT THE ANGEL ORENSANZ CENTER 2008/12/28

Gov't Mule: Live At The Angel Orensanz Center / New York City / December 28, 2008 is available now to stream at all major streaming sites.

https://open.spotify.com/album/487hsxMp41YXB8q9uJreck

"For the second release of this streaming-only series we find ourselves in Manhattan, where the East Village meets the Lower East Side, for the second of two nights at the oldest Jewish Temple in New York City – what a beautiful and graceful setting. We made the decision to strip down to a minimal approach in order not to overpower the small, very ‘live' room that holds around 600 people. As is the case with any venue that brings its own sonic personality, we embraced the challenge of playing to the room and choosing songs that would benefit from the ambiance – including a lot of original songs that don't get played very often mixed in with some of the ones that do, along with some choice covers, many of which we had never played or had only been performed a handful of times. We hope you enjoy this re-mixed version of a truly unique Mule show." - Warren Haynes

 

THE GALLANDS

 The Gallands (Elvin & Stéphane) have released 'Underlying Truth" on iTunes (and other platforms).

MIKE KENEALLY STRANDBERG GUITAR DEMO

 

ELVIN GALLAND

 Meet Elvin Galland (keyboard)

Saturday, January 16, 2021, Elvin and his dad (Stéphane Galland) will do an on-line concert as part of the Brussels Jazz Festival, billed as The Gallands.

https://www.flagey.be/en/activity/7921-the-gallands

SUN RA RESEARCH MOVIE PART ONE

Part One of the Sun Ra Research Movie is up at Vimeo :

2 hours and 36 minutes of Sun Ra, put together by Peter Hinds.

https://vimeo.com/ondemand/sunraresearch

TERRY BOZZIO CELEBRATES 70TH BIRTHDAY BY RELEASING A BOOK

 Available in about a week.

HENRY KAISER WEEKLY SOLO #36 - ZAPPA & BEEFHEART COVERS

 Henry Kaiser : Weekly Solo #36 : Zappa & Beefheart Covers

MOON UNIT ZAPPA TO PUBLISH A MEMOIR

 
Moon Unit Zappa, writer and daughter of Frank Zappa, is publishing a memoir.

https://lithub.com/moon-unit-zappa-writer-and-daughter-of-frank-zappa-is-publishing-a-memoir/?

NAPOLEON MURPHY BROCK INTERVIEW

 Two years ago, Live Music News & Review did an interview with Napoleon Murphy Brock.

About his time in Frank Zappa's band, and playing FZ's music with Project/Object.
Mind you, it's from 2018, so the announced tour dates are for 2018 as well.

https://livemusicnewsandreview.com/2018/12/napoleon-murphy-brock-interview/?

ART YARD RECORD LABEL RELEASES A SUN RA 7"

 Available as a digital download from Bandcamp, but also on a 7".

Sun Ra Quartet - featuring John Gilmore : The Sky Is A Sea Of Darkness When There Is No Sun To Light The Way

AKA MOON CONCERT BROADCAST

 Earlier today, Aka Moon did a live concert broadcast from Bozar in Brussels.

Aka Moon plays Beethoven's Opus 111

RACHEL FLOWERS AND CHAD WACKERMAN GUEST ON MARCELO PAGANINI'S NEW ALBUM

 
from GlassOnyon PR:

Guitar Virtuoso Marcelo Paganini to Release Album “Identity Crisis” Featuring Billy Sherwood, Rachel Flowers, Lenny White, Chad Wackerman and Others!

Featuring special guests Billy Sherwood (YES/ASIA), Adam Holzman (Steve Wilson Band), Rachel Flowers, Lenny White (Return to Forever), Chad Wackerman (Frank Zappa Band), Jan Dumée (Focus), Marc Madoré, Karla Downey, Jamison Smeltz, Damilton Viana, Esdras Ferreira and Adriano Campagnani (Beto Guedes Band)

“Identity Crisis” is the new guitar virtuoso Marcelo Paganini prog rock jazz fusion album to be released on his birthday December 11, 2020. The album features special guests Billy Sherwood, Adam Holzman, Rachel Flowers, Lenny White, Chad Wackerman, Jan Dumée, Marc Madoré, Karla Downey, Jamison Smeltz, Damilton Viana, Esdras Ferreira and Adriano Campagnani. 5 out of 6 songs of the album were mixed and mastered by Gudjon Sveinsson in Iceland. The single “Circus is empty” was mixed by Daniel Boivin in France and mastered by Maor Appelbaum in LA, California, USA.

“When Allan Holdsworth passed away all of a sudden it was up to me and the others to keep guitar composition and playing moving forward. ‘Do your own thing’ he said every time we met. Now Eddie Van Halen passed away as well and we realize how hard it will be,” remembers Marcelo Paganini about his intentions when he started this project. “I changed the tuning of the guitar so I could not repeat anything I knew before. I decided to only use in the whole album, except for acoustic 12 string intros, the black guitar X-Ing Ibanez, no vibrato bar, bare bones. And to record just one guitar per track, to be able to play it live and sound like the album, or better. When live concerts will come back.”

The music on “Identity Crisis” mixes up the best influences from classic prog rock, with unexpected contemporary harmonic solutions and melodic turns. The songs can break loose by surprise in furious jazz fusion improvisations. As impressive as the casting in the album can be, and it is, the incredible alchemy that happened between Marcelo Paganini and Rachel Flowers in 4 out of 6 songs, at the 11th hour, was a game changer in the intensity of that musical language. Mr Bowler Music Agency in the Netherlands is booking Marcelo Paganini Band featuring Rachel Flowers.

ONE SIZE FITS ALL RADIO SHOW

Peter Dasent hosts a weekly radio show on 89.7 Eastside FM in Australia.

Peter adds : Been doing it since 2013 - kind of uses FZ as a starting point for anything Zappa (eg the ZFT releases) but also delving into any music I like that’s creative and interesting. Some weeks it’ll be mostly frank, other weeks it will just be top and tailed with FZ.

It’s broadcast live on Wednesdays at 12 noon on a community radio station here in Sydney - Eastside FM - and streams here:

https://eastsidefm.org/onesizefitsall/

BEAM - FLIGHT DREAM

• BEAM: flight dream
      (2018, cd, belgium, private release)

BEAM is Mayaan Smith (sax), Eran Han Even (guitar), Boris Schmidt (bass) and Neils Engel (drums).
You might know Mayaan Smith from his performances with Sinister Sister, Captain Cheese-Beard or The Wrong Object.
This time, however, he's not playing any Zappa. This is standard jazz. Very nice standard jazz.
I like it.

"Flight Dream" was BEAM's first album, released in 2018. It features 8 compositions, contributed by the various band members.

Here's the YouTube introduction:

BANDCAMP GOES JAZZ

 
The Sun Ra Arkestra's "Swirling" album is mentioned on Bandcamp's "Best Jazz Albums of 2020":
https://daily.bandcamp.com/best-of-2020/the-best-jazz-albums-of-2020?

As is The Jerry Granelli Trio Plays Vince Guaraldi And Mose Allison.

MILK TV

Milk Tv is a punk / pop / no wave trio started in Brussels late 2017 by Frenchman Matthieu Peyraud already involved as a bass player in the local oriental kraut sextet Phoenician Drive. It is the continuation of a previous trio based in Montréal that Peyraud had to abort to migrate back to Europe. Now in full speed as lead singer and bassist he's supported by Martin Rault (Phoenician Drive) on the drums and the record was made with Gaëtan Gauthier on guitar, he has recently been replaced by Casper de Geus (O'Grady, Moar, Brorlab).

STUFF. ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM

 Belgian band Stuff. has announced a new album to be released in March 2021.

They've released Cumulus as a teaser.

DINO AND THE CHICKS

Rudy Trouvé, Elko Blijweert, Stef Kamil Carlens and Jeroen Stevens = Dino and The Chicks.

SOFT MACHINE LIVE WEBCAST FROM RONNIE SCOTT'S JAZZ CLUB TONIGHT

 
Tonight, FREE video webcast:

www.ronniescotts.co.uk/artists/livestreaming-tonight-soft-machine

Soft Machine live from Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, London, in front of real audience (limited seatings, socially distanced), 8.30 pm UK time, check Your time zone.

John Etheridge (guitar), Theo Travis (tenor & soprano sax, flute, Rhodes), Roy Babbington (bass) and on Nic France (drums) subbing for the legendary John Marshall, who is at home with some lower back issues.

We are working on another streaming as soon as John Marshall is ready to rejoin soft geezers, and with Gary Husband on keyboards, and there will be also a new studio album to be recorded in Spring, as soon as I can travel to London, hopefully soon!

You can access free video stream through Ronnie Scott's website:
www.ronniescotts.co.uk/artists/livestreaming-tonight-soft-machine

ANTI-PANOPTICON - CHANNELING THE FLOOD

• anti-panopticon: channeling the flood
      (2020, cd, bel, soulfactory records) 

Sunday morning modern jazz.
Although it would be a pity only to play this only on Sunday mornings.

Soul Factory records has just released two album by Belgian saxophonist and composer Lennert Baerts.
The first one is a project with the Muze Jazz Orchestra.
The second one is by Lennert Baert's Anti-Panopticon ensemble. Next to Lennert on sax, the quartet features Floris Kappeyne on piano, Tijs Klaassen on bass and Jesse Dockx on drums.

As the Soul Factory website states:
Beautiful writing with great variety in moods, colours and textures, and great interplay between four very talented young musicians.

Here's Lennert Baerts in a different setting:

 

DUDU PIMENTEL PLAYS ZAPPA

 Only on YouTube :

STICK MEN WITH GARY HUSBAND - OWARI

• stick men with gary husband: owari
      (2020, cd, usa, moonjune) 

Due to immediate Covid restrictions, the Asian tour of the Stick Men got cancelled after their first gig.
Luckily, the show got recorded and has now been made available by Moonjune Records.

STICK MEN with GARY HUSBAND 

• Tony Levin - stick
• Markus Reuter - touch guitar
• Pat Mastelotto - drums, electronics
• special guest Gary Husband - keyboards

Recorded in Blue Note Nagoya, Japan, on February 28, 2020, "Owari" (The End) presents 11 tracks, 11 amazing performances.

True, the Levin / Reuter / Mastelotto trio has been playing together for quite a while, but Gary Husband fits in like he's never done anything else.

Recommended listening.

The 2 LP version is 180 g red vinyl.
Check out the Bandcamp page for all the options:

RACHEL FLOWERS WRITES TRIBUTE TO ADRIAN BELEW

A message from Rachel Flowers :

The first single from my upcoming album "Bigger on the Inside."

In 2019 while I was a performer on Cruise to the Edge, I got to hear a set by one of my rock idols, Adrian Belew. I was immediately inspired, and rushed back to my cabin right away and sang this musical idea into my recording device. After I got home I was able to complete that idea, and this is what I came up with.

I had a lot of fun recording all the instruments myself.

Special thanks go out to my good friend Robert Minsk for creating this video for my song.

I hope you will enjoy "A B" - my tribute to Adrian Belew!

Available from:
Bandcamp: https://shop.rachelflowersmusic.com/track/a-b
Amazon: https://amzn.com/B08P662LWZ
Apple Music: https://apple.co/36rT2gM

MUZE JAZZ ORCHESTRA FEAT. LENNERT BAERTS - TIMES CHANGE AND SO MUST WE

• muze jazz orchestra feat. lennert baerts: times change and so must we
      (2020, cd, bel, soul factory) 

Saxophone player Lennert Baerts recently released two albums.
"Times Change And So Must We" is a collaboration with the Muze Jazz Orchestra.
(You might know the Muze Jazz Orchestra from their Zappa tribute concerts a couple of years ago.)

With the addition of a vibraphone, a piano and vocals, the Muze Jazz Orchestra produces some beautiful soundscapes and melodies. 

Beautiful.

MONIKA ROSCHER IS WORKING ON HER THIRD ALBUM

In her latest newsletter, Monika Roscher says that her next album (by the Monika Roscher Big Band) will be released in 2021.

Here's a little video from the TMT trio, that featured Monika :

CLAM RADIO MIXCLOUD FRANK ZAPPA TRIBUTE

 An hommage to Frank Zappa by a myriad of recording artists from around the world.

THE CZECH FRANK ZAPPA FANZINE IS BACK

 After three years, Bohous is restarting the Zappostrophe fanzine.
Issue n°140 should be available early next year.

JAZZ IS DEAD

Let me return to Jazz Is Dead, the jazz tribute to the music of The Grateful Dead.

I mentioned "Great Sky River" yesterday, which actually was the band's third album, released in 2001.
The two previous albums, "Blue Light Rain" and "Laughing Water" were released in 1998 and 1999.

And it looks like the band reformed in 2015 and even released another album.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jazz_Is_Dead

TODD RUNDGREN ANNOUNCES FIRST-EVER MULTI-CITY VIRTUAL CONCERT TOUR

 
from GlassOnyonPR

CLEARLY HUMAN TOUR CONSISTS OF 25 GEO-TARGETED ONLINE SHOWS BEGINNING FEBRUARY 14

Legendary recording artist, producer, songwriter and tech pioneer Todd Rundgren has announced his 2021 Clearly Human virtual tour, featuring 25 performances, each geo-fenced and tailored to a different US city. With each performance emanating from a Chicago venue (the most convenient time zone to allow for 8pm showtimes in every market), the shows will be “localized” to give both the band and the fans a sense of place (e.g. local landmarks will appear on the video wall, catering for the band and crew will feature dishes associated with each city, etc). Single-ticket purchases within the US will be limited to fans with zip codes corresponding to that show’s greater metropolitan area. US-based fans not living in a designated tour market can also “attend" any or all dates via multi-show ticket bundles, which, like internationally-based fans purchasing single-show tickets, will exempt them from geofencing restrictions. In Chicago, there will be a licensed COVID compliance officer on staff at all times, with both the band and crew testing regularly throughout the duration of the virtual tour.

MAAYAN SMITH UPDATE

I've seen saxophone player Maayan Smith performing the music of Frank Zappa with The Wrong Object, with Capt.Cheesebeard, and with Sinister Sister.

Yesterday, I learned that Maayan is also part of BEAM and that BEAM released an album entitled "Flight Dream".

• Maayan Smith - Sax
• Eran Har Even - Guitar 
• Boris Schmidt - Bass 
• Niels Engel - Drums

https://www.eranhareven.com/projects#beam

-- info: Danny Mathys

NEW RELEASE BY PHI YAAN-ZEK

 Phi Yaan-Zek has just released a new album: "Restful Spaces - Volume One".

In his latest message, he adds:

I have just released a new album! It’s a deep and spacious ambient guitar affair that’s perfect for this time of year as things wind down. It is called ‘Restful Spaces - Volume One’ and is a set of recently rediscovered live solo guitar with loop pedal recordings I made in 2011 for the 5 Rhythms Sunday Sweat Dance in London. It’s certainly a change of pace from the intense twist and turns of last month’s release of ‘Holotropic Guitar - 20th Anniversary Edition’ (do check that out if you haven’t already done so), and showcases the atmospheric, introspective and thematic side to my music.

SHUGGIE OTIS - INTER-FUSION

• shuggie otis: inter-fusion
      (2018, lp, usa, cleopatra)

Is there a more perfect way to start the Zappadan (celebrating the life and music of Frank Zappa from December 4 to December 21)?
At the age of 16 (!!), Shuggie Otis took part in FZ's recording sessions for "Hot Rats"...

"Inter-Fusion" got released in 2018. His previous release as a solo artist dates from 1974: his famous "Inspiration Information" album.

Mostly instrumental, "Inter-Fusion" has this happy vibe. It's soulful and groovy.
Beautiful.

NEW RELEASE BY LE GRAND SBAM

 Le Grand Sbam will release the new album on December 11.
"Furvent".
On vinyl and on CD.

Right up my alley.

ABRACADABRA IN OSAKA

 
Soft Works = Elton Dean, Allan Holdsworth, Hugh Hopper and John Marshall

"Abracadabra In Osaka" got recorded on August 11, 2003

Read the interview with Leonardo Pavkovic from Moonjune Records:
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/leonardo-pavkovic-nothing-is-ordinary-leonardo-pavkovic-by-chris-m-slawecki.php

STANDARD DEFINITION

Standard Definition = Julie Slick, Eric Slick & Brian Davis

"To Live"
Bandcamp release, also available on CDR :

INSPECTED BY 13 - COWBOY

• inspected by 13: cowboy
      (2020, usa, cd, private release) 

Philo Munny and Brett Spivey are Inspected By 13. 
They have just released "Cowboy", their brand-new album that also features Claude Coleman Jr. (Ween!!) on drums on several tracks.

"Cowboy" presents 13 tracks and the album cover already gives it away: this is not for the faint hearted.
Powerful, energetic and sharp.
Dark, avant-garde rock, if someone would need to label it.

A fascinating album. Fierce drumming, but also field recordings, and this strange narrator voice.
I definitely need to listen to this again. A couple of times.

The album will be available in a limited edition of 113 copies, so don't wait too long if you want to have this as a Xmas present.

Below track might give you an idea. Or not.
But do check them out on Bandcamp : https://inspectedby13.bandcamp.com/
where you will also find the "Cowboy" album soon.

JAZZ IS DEAD - GREAT SKY RIVER

• jazz is dead: great sky river
      (2001, cd, usa, zebra records)

US rock / fusion band Jazz Is Dead put the focus on 'Dead', as in 'Grateful Dead'.
The quartet recorded fusion versions of Grateful Dead tunes featuring Alphonso Johnson on bass, Rod Morgenstein on drums, Jimmy Herring on guitar and T.Lavitz on keyboards. On this recording anyway.

I'm no Deadhead myself, so I'm not familiar with (all of) the original tunes, but this album sounds awesome.
The 17-minute version of 'Terrapin Station' might just be the highlight of this album. Or is that because the original album was my first encounter with the Grateful Dead ?

Check it out.

Recommended listening.

This live YouTube video has Billy Cobham on drums !

DWIKI SHARMAWAN - HARI KETIGA

 

• dwiki dharmawan: hari ketiga
      (2020, 2cd, usa, moonjune)

May 2017, Indonesian piano and keyboard player Dwiki Dharmawan took part in an improvisational session that also featured Boris Savoldelli (vocals), Markus Reuter (touch guitar) and Asaf Sirkis (percussion). Afterwards, parts of these improvisations were edited into backing tracks (by Leonardo Pavkovic) after which Boris Savoldelli added extra layers of vocals, resulting in a storyline involving the destiny of planet earth.
Finally, Dwiki Dharmawan added some field recordings for yet another layer of sound.

Amazingly, the final recording does not show how this album was put together. It all fits perfectly.
The result is an engaging story, both in music and in words.

Recommended listening.

Out on Moonjune records.
You can check the album out on Bandcamp :

PRODUCER MICHAEL FRANKLIN'S TRIBUTE TO JOHN LENNON

 
From GlassOnyon PR

Producer Michael Franklin Shares New Tribute To John Lennon

A Few Words About “John Lennon: A Day In His Life” by Gregory Paul Martin - Son of The Beatles Producer Sir George Martin

People from all walks of life have been affected by the music of The Beatles. They gave the world inspiration and happiness in almost everything they did. On October 9, the 80th anniversary of his birth, a new music video will be released honoring John Lennon – “John Lennon: A Day In His Life”, Grammy- nominated American producer, Michael Franklin, and Beatles animator, Alvaro Ortega teaming up to create it.

The spark of Lennon’s tribute began when Franklin awoke from a dream in which he dreamt of the Lennon song, “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds” while hearing John’s voice singing “A Day In The Life”. Amazed by the similarity between the two songs’ chord sequences and lyrics, Franklin hurriedly put this combination to the piano, the next night, another similar dream awakening him again – this time the baroque piano solo bridge sped up to sound like a harpsichord dashed off by my father, Sir George Martin, for John’s song, “In My Life” from Rubber Soul while The Beatles were on a lunch break.

“John Lennon: A Day In His Life” is Franklin’s montage of some of the most memorable moments we love from The Beatles songs, John’s vocals superimposed over a cleverly stitched together visual collage, the tribute based on an original score from the “Sergeant Pepper” album.

Franklin said, “I realized the same chord progressions are in ‘Eleanor Rigby’, as well as other Beatles songs. It was quite a surprise, and I couldn’t stop thinking about what The Beatles did. I dove right in, exploring other Beatles song bites. The music production took about three weeks to research, edit, and arrange.”

After completion of the tribute track, it was time to synchronize the video. Franklin had been aware of Ortega’s unique animations of The Beatles for several years, skillfully editing on his laptop previous bit and pieces of Ortega’s work, demonstrating to him what could be done, reaching out to Ortega in Spain, Ortega happily agreeing, the rest now history.

PIERRE VERVLOESEM HAS A NEW ALBUM OUT

• pierre vervloesem: saint-guy
      (2020, download, --, bandcamp)

I don't have a clue where Pierre gets his inspiration but one month after his "Haines" album, he's back with something completely different.
"Saint-Guy" combines crazy melodies and sounds with unusual rhythms.

Maybe the name comes from La Danse de Saint-Guy (also known as the St.Vitus dance) :
a disorder characterized by rapid, uncoordinated jerking movements primarily affecting the face, hands and feet.

Check it out on Bandcamp, and dance to it !

SNARKY PUPPY - IMMIGRANCE EXTRAS

The Immigrance Extras LP features six of Snarky Puppy's digital-only released tracks from the Immigrance recording session;

NEW RELEASE FROM ANDREAS SCHAERER

New release from Andreas Schaerer with Luciano Biondini, Kalle Kalima & Lucas Niggli :