YO NO SE - MOMENTO MORI

 

• yo no se: momento mori
      (2022, lp, uk, stolen body records)

Yo No Se is a Bristol based grunge / heavy psych 3 trio. "Momento Mori" is their third full album.
Bandcamp explains that "Momento Mori" is an album of 'B-Sides" and tracks recorded during the first lockdown.

Out on the same label that has released a number of King Gizzard albums.

Rather heavy at times but I like it !

Check them out:

PRINCE AND THE REVOLUTION - LIVE

Prince's catalogue is being reshuffled and re-arranged at every possible occasion.
Yesterday, the Prince Newsletter mentions that Prince And The Revolution's 1985 Purple Rain Tour performance will be made available in a remixed and remastered edition as a 3LP/2CD/blu-ray.

Broadcast live on March 30, 1985, this concert was released on VHS in 1985. Also on laserdisc in Japan around the same time.
In 2017, it came out as part of the "Ultimate Collector's Edition of Purple Rain". On DVD.
In 2020, an audio release was made available for download and streaming.

So, in fact, this new 3LP/2CD/blu-ray "Live" release is an audio and video re-issue on different formats.
But I do have to admit that it looks pretty.

THE DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND - BUCK JUMP

• the dirty dozen brass band: buck jump
      (1999, cd, usa, mammoth records)

Buck jumping is what a horse does when it wants to unseats its rider. It's also a New Orleans style step-dance.

For The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, it means to party.
"Buck Jump" is another excellent release by The Dirty Dozen Brass Band.
A beautiful mix of funk and jazz.

Check it out :

HARDY FOX - IBBUR

• hardy fox: ibbur
      (2022, cd, austria, klanggalerie)

Hardy Fox released his music through The Residents and also using the moniker Charles Bobuck.

More recently, a number of albums have been released using his real name.
"Ibbur" is the fourth album in this series. It is soundtrack music for 'The Stone', a book that Hardy had published.

Hardy died in 2018. It was his birthday earlier this week. He would have turned 77.
Thank you, Klanggalerie, for sharing his music !

GREGG ALLMAN - SOUTHERN BLOOD

• gregg allman: southern blood
      (2017, cd, usa, rounder records)

Gregg Allman's final release.
The album presented one original piece. All the other tracks are cover versions of songs by Lowell George, Bob Dylan, Willie Dixon, Jackson Browne,...
Recorded shortly before his passing, Gregg had picked the songs because they all had a special meaning for him.

"Southern Blood" was / is a beautiful farewell.

FRANK ZAPPA & AC/DC

 The "AC/DC Maximum Rock 'n Roll" book, mentions how Frank Zappa met the band in Australia in 1976.
According to Dweezil, Frank even wanted to sign the band to his label.

-- info: Ad Hendrickx

MAURO PAWLOWSKI & INTIGE TALUURE

Intige Taluure teamed up with Mauro Pawlowski to produce another release in their "Newtons Flat Fidelity" cassette series.
Volume 4a and 4b to be more precise.

Experimental, to say the least.
Limited edition of 75 numbered copies.

Here's a picture :

DALE BOZZIO - LIFE IS SO STRANGE

• dale bozzio: life is so strange
      (2021, usa, book, cleopatra)

Dale Bozzio's career has been a chain of implausible events.
Frank Zappa, Missing Persons, Prince,... incredible stories. Fun to read. And pretty amazing as well.
The book comes with a 7" (that I haven't listened to yet).

It also includes a poem entitled "War Makes Life So Incidental (for Frank Zappa)".

BLOSSOM TOES - IF ONLY FOR A MOMENT

 

In the meantime, Blossom Toes' "If Only For A Moment" arrived as well.
As the little sticker on the album shows, it includes FZ's Amougies appearance with the band as a bonus live track.

PIERRE VERVLOESEM - NOT EVEN CLOSE - REMASTERED & REVISED

• pierre vervloesem: not even close - remastered & revised
      (2022, download, --, bandcamp)

Last year, Pierre Vervloesem remastered and revised his 2008 "Not Even Close" album.
It had been a while that I had listened to the original album so this remastered and revised edition was the perfect opportunity to get re-acquainted.
Great stuff. Love the little vocal additions. And then there's the final track, 'I Was A Teenage Z', an obvious reference to the music of Frank Zappa. Well, actually, it's not the final track as this re-issue comes with a bonus track, but you know what I mean.

Beautiful.
Check it out !

TYLER MITCHELL FEATURING MARSHALL ALLEN - DANCING SHADOWS

• tyler mitchell: dancing shadows
      (2021, cd, usa, mahakala music)

Tyler Mitchell plays the bass in the Sun Ra Arkestra under the direction of Marshall Allen.
Together with Marshall Allen, Chris Hemmingway, Nicoletta Manzini, Elson Nasimento and Wayne Smith, Tyler recorded 'Dancing Shadows', an album on which they perform pieces by Sun Ra and by Marshall Allen.

One word: Wow.

There's also a concert to be enjoyed over at YouTube:

NEW RELEASE FROM JOHN TABACCO

Open Your Eyes - by Sushi Savant

also on Bandcamp:

ANOTHER BLOSSOM TOES 3 CD SET

Blossom Toes' "We Are Ever So Clean" got a 'remastered & expanded' edition.
The 3 CD included a recording of the band's 1967/08/26 concert, where they performed Don Van Vliet / Captain Beefheart's 'Electricity'.

FRANK ZAPPA'S ZOMBY WOOF DISSECTED AND DISCUSSED ON BELGIAN RADIO ONE

 In Flemish, but an excellent episode of "Koken Met Classics" on BRT Radio 1, where Senne Guns dissects a classic. Today, it was FZ's 'Zomby Woof'.
Even if you don't speak Flemish or Dutch, you should give this a listen. Near the end, Senne 'zappifies' a well-known pop song...

A SЮR BAND UPDATE

SЮR Band's 2017 eponymous album has just made it to Bandcamp.
A fine selection of songs.
The album also presents ' Zür sün dїhhёl', a fine tribute to Magma-founder Christian Vander.

THE DIRTY DOZEN - EARS TO THE WALL

• the dirty dozen: ears to the wall
      (1996, cd, eu, edel)

The Dirty Dozen is short for The Dirty Dozen Brass Band.
On their 1996 "Ears To The Wall" release, the band takes the funky road.

Mostly instrumental.
Upbeat jazz/funk.
Nice. Very nice.

Here's the first track from the album :

 

ALEX CARPANI

From GlassOnyonPR

Italian-French Composer, Keyboardist Alex Carpani To Release Concept Album “Microcosm” Featuring Members Of King Crimson, Soft Machine, Van de Graaf Generator and Others!

 
Alex Carpani is an Italian-French composer, keyboardist, singer, producer, musicologist and artistic director. His forthcoming release “Microcosm” is a concept album about a world in miniature, opposed to macrocosm. Human beings can be viewed as an epitome of the universe, small-scale models of the universe, with all its variety and contradiction. When you think of microcosm, picture your home town inside a snow globe: the teeny tiny city is a microcosm of the one you live in. It is that place in miniature. All this is represented here with a series of slices of life, possible real-life experiences through the 12 songs of the album (11 original songs written by Alex, plus “Starless” by King Crimson, arranged by Alex).

 
“Microcosm” features guest appearances by David Cross (ex-King Crimson), Theo Travis (Soft Machine, Steven Wilson, David Gilmour), David Jackson (ex Van der Graaf Generator), Jon Davison (Yes), Bruno Farinelli (drums), Andrea Torresani (bass), Davide Rinaldi and Emiliano Fantuzzi (guitars).

https://alexcarpani.bandcamp.com/

THE ZAPPA BAND RETURNS TO THE WHISKEY A GO GO

RUSS STEDMAN

 Russ Stedman has just added "Icebox Dopey Fourteen" and "Tie Vote Algebra" to his Bandcamp page.

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CHEMA VILCHEZ

Spanish guitar player Chema Vílchez has recorded with several musicians from the Zappa Universe.

"The Dream Of The Navigator" featured Walt Fowler and Chad Wackerman.

"Music And Change" featured Vinnie Colaiuta.

-- info: Jan van Kemenade

BERT DOCKX - SAFE

Bert Dockx' second solo album, "Safe", arrived today.

After ‘Transit’, his successful solo debut, Safe is the second album Bert Dockx (Dans Dans, Flying Horseman, Ottla, Strand) is releasing under his own name.

This collection of songs and instrumentals navigates between threat and dream, between silence and storm. Unlike ‘Transit’, ‘Safe’ mainly consists of original work and just two interpretations (of The Velvet Underground & Ornette Coleman tracks). This time Dockx is not flying entirely solo either, he gets musical assistance from Loesje and Martha Maieu (Flying Horseman, Blackie & The Oohoos) and Thomas Jillings (Ottla, Linus). Koen Gisen, Ghent based producer for connoisseurs, is back at the controls. Together with them, Dockx paints a richly variegated and adventurous soundscape with echoes of his other musical projects.

We hear folk, psychedelia, ambient, introverted guitar rock, shaded jazz. Colourful vistas are contrasted with gloomy introspection. Careful listeners will also discover the narrative of a complex, painful, passionate love.

Who am I to disagree with Bandcamp  :-)

FRED HÄNDL'S UPCOMING TOUR

 Here are the dates & locations for Fred Händl's upcoming tour !!

Frank Zappa's music for solo piano, arranged by Fred Händl.

FANTAGRAPHICS TO RELEASE A BOOK ON SUN RA'S ALBUM COVER ART

https://www.fantagraphics.com/products/sun-ra-art-on-saturn-the-album-cover-art-of-sun-ras-saturn-label

Well-known for their graphic novels, the Fantagraphics publishing house will be releasing a book on Sun Ra's album cover art.

Some of the albums that Sun Ra released on his Saturn record label were hand designed. Literally.
I have heard stories about the band making drawings on blank sleeves during bus rides...

TOTAL IMMERSION - - - FRANK ZAPPA

What a day...

March 19, 2022 - Total Immersion - Frank Zappa

11am FILM Cinema 1 at the Barbican

Zappa
2020, dir. Alex Winter (129 mins)

Most people who were there had seen the documentary already at least once but for me, it was the first time on a big screen.
Nice.
I was also very happy to bump fists / shake hands (no hugs yet) with some friends that I had not seen in person for over two years.

2.30pm CONCERT Milton Court Concert Hall
Zappa: The Yellow Shark

by the Guildhall's UBU Ensemble with Vladyslava Yakovenko (mezzo-soprano), cond. Simon Wills

Frank Zappa - The Perfect Stranger

Anton Webern - Concerto for Nine Instruments

Igor Stravinsky - Pribaoutki

Edgard Varèse - Intégrales

Frank Zappa  - A selection from The Yellow Shark:

   * The Dog Breath Variations / Uncle Meat

   * Get Whitey

   * 'Be-Bop Tango

   * Outrage at Valdez

   * 'G-Spot Tornado
encore :
Frank Zappa - The Dog Breath Variations / Uncle Meat

The Guildham's UBU Ensemble is made up of students from the Guildhall music school.

A beautiful performance with some great conversations between the pieces by Andrew McGregor and Simon Wills.
Loved it (although I still think that the percussionist was missing the beat during the second part of 'G-Spot Tornado).

6pm TALK Auditorium 1, Level 4 at the Barbican
Frank Zappa expert Ben Watson in conversation with BBC Radio 3’s Andrew McGregor.

I enjoy listening to Ben Watson. The conversation he had with Andrew McGregor was fun to listen to. The questions from the audience did not really fit as they were more likely to be answered by a biographer, but still, an enjoyable talk.

7.30pm CONCERT Barbican
Zappa Goes Large
by the BBC Symphony Orchestra, cond. Brad Lubman

Igor Stravinsky

* Variations 'Aldous Huxley in Memoriam'

Frank Zappa

* 'Pedro’s Dowry'

* 'Bob in Dacron'

* 'Sad Jane'

* 'Envelopes'

* 'Mo ‘N Herb’s Vacation'

* 'Strictly Genteel'

I had expected it to be good. I had not expected it to be this good.

Such an enormous orchestra, and playing so tight.
Perfect staccato lines, perfect dynamics, lovely percussion,... Loved it.

I did realise that I'm not familiar enough with some of these pieces. I guess I need to dust off some of the classical Zappa albums.

A review:
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/mar/20/total-immersion-frank-zappa-review-a-suitably-eclectic-day-long-tribute?fbclid=IwAR0iNd6ZpIz1WBt907qcGA3SycVvq9UjOuaIGHbMhod1ZNW6MG4E3sF_gCQ

FS3

FS3 is:

• Florian Kasper - Drums
• Gerald Kiesewetter - Bass
• Joe Doblhofer – Guitars

Their latest album is called "Cats 'n' Strats" and features Jan Zehrfeld as a guest musician on one track !

www.joedoblhofer.com

SUN RA - DISCO 3000 (EXPANDED)

The Sun Ra puzzle continues with the Bandcamp release of "Disco 3000 (Expanded)".
Those familiar with the 2 CD set from 2007 will notice that this expanded version has one additional track called 'Jazzisticology'. The piece is taken from the 1978 "Sound Mirror" album, a Saturn label release.

Here's what the liner notes say:
Some minor adjustments and refinements have been made to the recordings in spots, and some audience applause has been trimmed. One bonus track has been added. That tune, "Jazzisticology," recorded on the same Italian expedition, was originally issued on the 1978 Saturn album SOUND MIRROR, along with one other track from the trip, "Of Other Tomorrows Never Known." Art Yard included the latter work on their expanded release of MEDIA DREAMS, and it will be included on our forthcoming digital edition of that album. (The title track of SOUND MIRROR originated from an unrelated New York or Philadelphia studio session.)

FRANK ZAPPA - LIVE AT FILLMORE EAST & RAINBOW THEATRE

A couple of days ago, both of the vinyl sets ("Live At Fillmore East" and "Rainbow Theatre") of FZ's "Mothers 1971" got released.
The digital version has been made available as well.

-

The 8 CD Box Set is coming soon.

I'm listening to the digital version while I'm typing this. (The box sets haven't arrived yet)
'Billy The Mountain'...
Fun.

ARTHUR BARROW ON BANDCAMP

 Arthur Barrow has been adding more music to his Bandcamp page.

The most recent additions are from his 1991 "Music For Listening" album.

https://arthurbarrow.bandcamp.com/music

MATS & MORGAN - LIVE 40! - THE VIDEO

What better way to come home from the Zappa festivities in London than to find a Mats & Morgen concert waiting on your hard disc. Especially since I had a nice chat with Hans Annéllsson about this Swedish dynamic duo.

Is this what they call decompressing? Or am I recompressing after the dull train ride?

The audio album was released earlier this month and the video streaming followed last week.
As I wasn't home to catch the stream, I was glad to learn that the video would be made available for download afterwards.
The link arrived in my mailbox on Friday.
Quite a surprise as it was a total of 9 Gigabyte (!!) as a zip file. Good of Morgan to mention it in the message as I needed twice the space as to unzip this monster. Had to move some stuff to an eternal hard drive but it was worth it.

Beautiful!  BEAUTIFUL!!

'Sylox' !!  'Akash' !!  Breathtaking.
I guess I'll be listening to 'Akash' first thing every morning the coming week. What an amazing piece of music.
And I haven't even mentioned the guest appearances by Kriter Jonsson (guitar!!), Tommy Tordsson and Henrik Linder (both on bass) during 'Palstug' and again during the 'Baaderpuf' encore. 

Recommended listening. (of viewing if you go for the video).

SPINIFEX SINGS

In 2022, Spinifex shows the back of its tongue with SPINIFEX SINGS, featuring the amazing vocalists Priya Purushothaman from Mumbai and Björk Nielsdottir from Iceland. Combining free jazz, polyrhythmic punk-rock and rigorously composed structures with ancient and contemporary Tamil and Icelandic poetry, Spinifex Sings will venture into the territories of song, lyrics and the primal scream.

• Björk Níelsdóttir & Priya Purushothaman - vocals
• Tobias Klein - alto saxophone
• Bart Maris - trumpet
• John Dikeman - tenor saxophone
• Jasper Stadhouders - guitar
• Gonçalo Almeida - bass guitar
• Philipp Moser - drums

25 March Bimhuis Amsterdam, NL

26 March Lokerse Jazzclub Lokeren, BE

27 March O.666 Oostende, BE

21 - 27 July Portugal tour, CD recording

30 Nov - 4 Dec, tour in the Netherlands

ONE SHOT DEAL

Several musicians from the Zappa Plays Zappa band are getting together to perform Frank Zappa's music.
This is not a new band or a strange variation of an existing band. It's just a one shot deal.

NEW JETHRO TULL BOOK(S)

from GlassOnyon PR

New Jethro Tull Two-Volume Book ‘Spin Me Back Down The Years! A Comprehensive Guide to the History and Pre-History of One of the Greatest Rock Bands of the 1960’s, 70’s and Beyond!’ Now Available For Pre-order

Much to the excitement of Jethro Tull fans worldwide, a new two-volume book ‘Spin Me Back Down The Years! A Comprehensive Guide to the History and Pre-History of One of the Greatest Rock Bands of the 1960’s, 70’s and Beyond!’ written by Pat Kent is now available for pre-order!

“As a lifelong Jethro Tull fan I was approached to consider writing a book about the band at a press conference for the dance group Pan’s People in 2014. The publisher at the time was looking for a book of around 200 pages. It didn’t take long to realise that would not be sufficient to tell the story of a band that was soon to span 50 productive years playing around the world and selling well in excess of 60 million records. The book has been a labour of love for the three of us, myself, Charlie Kenney and Erin Ward, dedicated to a band that has provided the soundtrack to our lives.” – Pat Kent, author

Book Editions

The books are unofficial documents containing a fan’s eye view of the history of the band looking at the contributions of the musicians as a collective. They also contain a compendium of memorabilia, photographs and a worldwide discography.

The history covers the pre-Tull days of Ian Anderson, Jeffrey Hammond, John Evans, Barrie Barlow and Glenn Cornick’s involvement in those early lineups in Blackpool of ‘The Blades’ and the 'John Evans Band' through Mick Abrahams and Clive Bunker’s time in and around Luton in ‘McGregor's Engine’; as well as chronicling Martin Barre’s progression through various bands and musical styles in ‘The Noblemen’, ‘The Motivation’, ‘The Penny Peeps’ and ‘Gethsemane’ before fate, chance, luck and talent brought them together in the eventual guise of ‘Jethro Tull’.

The book will be released in three editions, each containing two volumes. The standard edition will be available in hardback and paperback.

Volume One - ‘Spin me back down the years’ - a history of the band as recounted by Pat Kent with contributions from Charlie Kenney, Erin Ward and other fans who detail some of their recollections. Lengthy interviews with Martin Barre and Dee Palmer and further input from Peter John Vetesse, Don Airey, Eddie Jobson, Andy Giddings, Clive Bunker and more.

Volume Two - Volume Two - ‘The Boy Scout Manual’ - will contain, additional images of rare memorabilia, photographs, many previously unseen, selected from our own collections, as well as from renowned photographers across the years, including, Carl Dunn, Joe Astromowicz, Tom Holsclaw, Chris Fenger and Martin Webb. This volume will also incorporate biographies of some of the key members, and an insight into the post-Tull art work of Jeffrey Hammond along with a comprehensive look at the worldwide singles collection of Charlie Kenney along with other discographies and listings of filmed performances.

The Deluxe Edition

Same as above but it will come in a presentation box housing two 12”x12” volumes along with reproduction handbill, poster, passes and photographic memorabilia. The edition will also contain a vinyl pressing of an acetate belonging to Clive Bunker of a 1968 recording featuring ‘Clive Bunker & Friends’.

The editions are available for pre-order through Gonzo Multimedia via the online Music Glue website now: https://www.musicglue.com/jethro-tull-spin-me-back-down-the-years-by-pat-kent/

For more information:
https://www.spinmebackdowntheyears.com

ANDREAS SCHAERER CONCERT DATES

A message from Andreas Schaerer:

We look forward to sharing our music with you again!

 LIVE, on STAGE with sweat, unreasonableness and a good shot of adrenaline.

WITHOUT WIG: 

let's dance on the stage of the ELBPHILHARMONIE Hamburg. 

Wed, March 16: Hamburg DE

WITH WIG: 

or with a complete symphony orchestra and our dear Maestro Chiacchiarini 

Sat, April 2 Theater Winterthur CH, 

Thu, April 28 Philharmonie Reutlingen DE

WORLD PREMIERE 

Michael Wollny & Andreas Schaerer DUO

Sun, May 15 BERN CH, bee-flat

…in addition:

19th March A NOVEL OF ANOMALY City Club Pully CH
April 14th HILDEGARD Festival Theaterhaus Jazztage , Stuttgart DE
April, 30th HILDEGARD Zweisimmen Jazz , Zweisimmen CH
17th of May with KALLE KALIMA Jazzknatine , Lucerne CH
May 18th OUT OF COUNTRY Socmus , Neuchatel CH

ED PALERMO BIG BAND CONCERT DATES

March 28, 2022 - Iridium, NYC

Aril 2, 2022 - The Falcon, Marlboro, NY

April 25, 2022 - Iridium, NYC

ARTHUR BARROW IS RELEASING MUSIC ON BANDCAMP

Former Zappa band member (and clone meister) Arthur Barrow is releasing music on Bandcamp.
Material that has previously been released on his albums, as well as new stuff !

PIERREJEAN GAUCHER UPDATE

Yvon Rossier released "Des Vies De Dingues", an album on which Pierrejean Gaucher plays the guitar.

DWEEZIL ZAPPA'S DEMO FOR WIGGY

Wiggy is a type of guitar amp by Peavey.
In 2005, Dweezil Zappa recorded a two-track demo for Peavey, using the Wiggy amp.
The two tracks featured Dweezil Zappa and Blues Saraceno.

01 - Wiggy World  (D.Zappa)
DZ: all guitars * Blues Saraceno: bass & drums

02 - Wiggy Shuffle (D.Zappa)
DZ: guitars (left) * Blues Saraceno: lead guitar (right), bass & drums

THE RETURN OF MATS ÖBERG'S BANDCAMP UPDATE

Next to "Only Live" and "So Very Mats", Mats Öbergs "In The Moment" is also being released on Bandcamp.
Originally released (CD) in 2006.

NORAH JONES - NOT TOO LATE

• norah jones: not too late
      (2007, cd, usa, blue note)

Norah Jones' third studio album got released in 2007.
Some bluesy pop songs on a Monday morning.

SUN RA AND HIS ARKESTRA - OMNIVERSE (EXPANDED)

The Modern Harmonic record label re-released Sun Ra's "Omniverse" album in 2021.
Compared to the original 1979 release (on Sun Ra's Saturn label), the remastered re-release offered two bonus tracks.

This very same re-mastered re-release has now become available for streaming and digital download through Bandcamp.

INTIGE TALUURE HAS A NEW ALBUM OUT

Experimental, DIY duo Intige Taluure is about to release "Poep De Disco".
A limited edition vinyl album.

Release concert on March 27 at CC Muze in Heusden-Zolder, BE (a shared bill with Mauro Pawlowski).
This gig will not only see the release of "Poep De Disco", but other releases have been announced for the same event...

MATS ÖBERG'S BANDCAMP PAGE

 Mats Öberg's Bandcamp page is getting updates.

Both the 2010 "So Very Mats" and the 2013 "Only Live" albums (originally issued on CD on the Moserobie label) are now available for streaming / as digital download on Bandcamp.

Two excellent albums, if I may say so.
Check them out.

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DEVIN TOWNSEND - THE PUZZLE

• devin townsend: the puzzle
      (2022, 2cd+blu-ray, europe, hevy devy records)

Devin Townsend in the liner notes: "The Puzzle" is not meant to be an album. It is meant to be a musical and visual synopsis of the most messed up and stressed out period in my (our) recent history. 2020 and the Pandemic affected us all in one way or another and like many of us, I found myself isolated and having to find a way through the storm."

This 2CD/blu-ray set presents 'The Puzzle' (highly orchestrated), 'Snuggles' (dreamlike) and a lot of multimedia files.
Participants include Mike Keneally, Steve Vai, Mattias IA Eklundh, Tina Ahlin, Morgan Agren, Jonas Hellborg, and many more.

"The Puzzle" got issued in different editions. Both audio discs were also made available on vinyl, and there's also a box set that comes with a USB-stick.
I'm quite happy with my 2CD/blu-ray set. 'The Puzzle' and 'Snuggles' are great and I haven't even begun to investigate the blu-ray...

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-

-

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THE SMALL TOWN BAND / LEN UDOW / BOOGUS / MOE MARSHALL

• the small town band / len udow / boogus / moe marshall: the small town band / len udow / boogus / moe marshall
      (1974, lp-promo, canada, radio canada international)
  

Welcome to the wonderous world of The Others Of Invention.

This promotional LP got issued by Radio Canada International and featured Boogus (real name Scott Cushnie) performing FZ’s ‘Take Your Clothes Off’.

LALALAR

 Meet Istanbul-based trio Lalalar.

The brainchild of three of Turkey’s most active and innovative alternative artists – Ali Güçlü Şimşek, Barlas Tan Özemek and Kaan Düzarat

Out on Les Disques Bongo Joe.
lalalar.bandcamp.com

FLOCK

New album by new band Flock !
Stunning album artwork !!

Flock = Bex Burch (Vula Viel), Danalogue (The Comet Is Coming, Soccer96), Sarathy Korwar, Al MacSween (Maisha) and Tamar Osborn (Collocutor).

Out on the Strut Records label.

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THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND - AN EVENING WITH THE ALLMAN BROTHERS - 2ND SET

• the allman brothers band: an evening with the allman brothers band - 2nd set
      (1995, cd, usa, epic)

"2nd Set" followed the Allman Brother's 1992 "First Set" release.
Where "First Set" focussed on the 1991 & 1992 concerts, "2nd Set" presented live material from 1992 and 1994.
Including classics such as 'Soulshine', In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed' and 'Jessica'.

Love it.

Greg Allman and Warren Haynes, 2014.

RAOUL PETITE TOURDATES (INCLUDING ZAPPANALE)

 Raoul Petite tourdates :

• 26 mars 2022 - Vaison la Romaine (84) – Festival après les Vendanges
• 9 avril 2022 - Soutien à Rosmerta – Avignon (84)
• 30 avril 2022 - Festival Soft’R – Sauveterre de Rouergue (12)
• 20 mai 2022 - La voulte sur Rhône (07) – Festival Crashmusette
• 1 juillet 2022 - Meaux (77) – Festif l’Art
• 2 juillet 2022 - Festival Complètement Barges – Barges (21)
• 7 juillet 2022 - ZicZak Festival Aix-en-Provence (13)
• 9 juillet 2022 - Trad’in Festival – Embrun (05)
• 16 juillet 2022 - Bad Dobberan (DE) – Festival les Zappanales
• 29 juillet 2022 - Courlans (39) – Festival Rock’n Horses

ARF DOSSIER NO.111

Issue #111 of the Arf Dossier, the Arf Society's newsletter / magazine hit my mailbox last week.

the arf-dossier no.111 - 2022/03
incl.

• leserpost
• the hot platters heaven from the arf office
• the greenaway essays - zappa's london
• the rare pictures gallery
• the fine but unauthorized cd kaleidoscope
• the vinyl bootleg releases
• news from belgium - live from United Mutations
• ullis ecke
• info behind the photo(s)

MATS & MORGAN UPDATE

The brand-new Mats & Morgan release, "Live 40 !" is already available through Bandcamp.
It's a streaming / digital download-only release.
https://morganagren.bandcamp.com/album/live-40

Buying the album will also give access to the video, which will be streamed on March 16 at 22h00 CET.
(with replay being available for 48 hours).

THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND - AN EVENING WITH THE ALLMAN BROTHERS - FIRST SET

• the allman brothers band: an evening with the allman brothers - first set
      (1992, cd, usa, epic)

"An Evening With The Allman Brothers - First Set" caught Greg Allman's band in concert in 1991 and 1992.

With Greg Allman, Warren Haynes, Dickey Betts, Allen Woody, Jaimoe, and Butch Trucks.

The album got released in 1992.

If there's any doubt, this album will most certainly convince you that The Allman Brothers Band was a a live band.

MATS & MORGAN - LIVE 40!

I received the following message from Morgan Ågren's Bandcamp page :

MORGAN ÅGREN just released Live 40! by Mats/Morgan, check it out.

“Dear all, here is the album download of Mats/Morgan "Live 40!" - The upcoming livestream of the same content will be aired MARCH 16 at: CET22:00 on bandcamp. Stream-link here:

morganagren.bandcamp.com/merch/mats-morgan-live-40?

And again; the livestream ticket will include the album download, and the album download will include the livestream video in case you miss the livestream date. You will receive a download link shortly after the livestream. ($9 in total) I forgot to mention that we had some cool guests that joined us at the end of this concert, our original magical bass player Tommy Tordsson, another great bassist: Henrik Linder and guitar hero Krister Jonsson. - D I G ! !

Peace please // Mats & Morgan”

MARUTYRI - CREATION OF THE INVISIBLE

• marutyri: creation of the invisible
      (2017 cd, nl, challenge records)

Dutch jazz / fusion ensemble Marutyri released "Creation Of The Invisible" in 2017. It was their second album after having released "Inner Movements" in 2016.

I wasn't familiar with Marutyri but I was fortunate to be able to give "Creation Of The Invisible" a listen earlier today.
Catchy melodies, funky rhythms, nice chords and modulations, cool horns, and great solos.
Comparisons with Snarky Puppy are not far-fetched.

Quite the discovery!!
Right up my alley.

"Creation Of The Invisible" got released on the Challenge Records label.

The band also has a Bandcamp page:
https://marutyri.bandcamp.com/

GONG - PULSING SIGNALS

• gong: pulsing signals
      (2022, 2lp, uk, kscope)

Recorded in concert during the Universe Also Collapses tour in 2019, this is Gong (obviously) without the late Daevid Allen, who passed away in 2015.

This current line-up was picked by Daevid Allen and consists of Kavus Torabi (guitar, vocals), Fabio Golfetti (guitar, vocals), Dave Sturt (bass, vocals), Ian East (flute, sax) and Cheb Nettles (drums, vocals).

Energetic & uplifting.
A fine album.

Out on 2LP and 2CD on the Kscope label.

ECHOES OF ZOO

After having released an EP in 2019, Belgian ensemble Echoes Of Zoo released their first full album in 2021. The EP (10" vinyl and/or CD) was called "First Provocations", the album (LP) "Breakout".

• Falk Schrauwen: drums
• Lieven Van Pée: double bass
• Bart Vervaeck: electric guitar
• Nathan Daems: tenor sax and nyahbingi drum

Bandcamp is also offering package deals for both, but these are without the digital download !

Recommended listening !

-

TWO POSTS ON SUN RA

 A bit of reading :

http://madshoesmusicology.blogspot.com/2022/01/sun-ra-sun-song-1956.html

http://zerosounds.blogspot.com/2014/08/sun-ra-and-his-solar-arkestra-other.html

JOHN MCLAUGHLIN AND MAHAVISHNU - ADVENTURES IN RADIOLAND

• john mclaughlin and mahavishnu: adventures in radioland
      (1986, cd, usa, relativity)

John McLaughlin released "Aventures In Radioland" in 1986.
The above album cover is from the 1993 re-issue.

I've got this on and off relationship with the music of John McLaughlin and Mahavishnu. I love the fusion jazz melodies and guitar playing and I'm a big fan of the Indian influences but I'm no fan of the machine-gun-like note-spitting. My ears like melodies and phrasing...
Anyway, when my buddy Harald told me that "Adventures In Radioland" features synclavier digital guitar, I knew I had to give it a listen.

"Adventures In Radioland" has 10 tracks.
John McLaughllin on guitar, Bill Evans on sax, Mitch Foreman on keyboards, Jonas Hellborg on bass, and Danny Gottlieb on drums.
There are indeed some amazing pieces to be found on "Adventures In Radioland" (contributed by the band members !!), and John's synth guitar playing sounds fabulous. Add the superb sax lines by Bill Evans and Jonas Hellborg's amazing electric bass and you have one great album.. 
Too bad about Danny Gottlieb's sound on the electronic drums, but that might have been an eighties thing. I don't know.

In all, a very nice listening session.

ECLECTIC MAYBE BAND - AGAIN ALORS?

• eclectic maybe band: again alors?
      (2022, cd, uk, discus-music)

"Again Alors?", the latest release by the Eclectic Maybe Band presents 8 tracks.
Common denominator Guy Segers assembled the material from different sessions and locations.
The Bandcamp liner notes give additional information:
"Using different groupings from within a large ensemble cast, which includes many well-known names, Guy has created an album where half the tracks are drawn from live improvisation in the studio and half are created from the ground up with players adding their composed or improvised parts one at a time. In both cases Guy assumes the role of master arranger, taking the improvisations as raw material and sculpting them into finished pieces."

The result is a very varied album. It guarantees quite a number of beautiful surprises and invites to multiple listening sessions.
Out on Martin Archer's Discus Music label and available through the Discus Music Bandcamp page.

https://discusmusic.bandcamp.com/album/again-alors-130cd-2022

I went for the CD (mainland Europe distribution from Berlin, so no VAT issues !!).
Next to the fact that it's nice to cherish, the CD also has detailed info for each track (participating musicians, recording session,...).
Featuring Guy Segers, Dirk Wachtelaer, Catherine Smet, Joe Higham, Michelle Delville, Martin Archer, to name just a few.
Mastered by Pierre Vervloesem!

Beautiful.
Check it out.

FRED FRITH - FREEDOM IN FRAGMENTS

• fred frith: freedom in fragments
      (2002, cd, usa, tzadik)

Twenty years ago, Fred Frith released "Freedom In Fragments" on the Tzadik record label.
The album presented 13 compositions, performed by the Rova Saxophone Quartet.
Track number seven, 'T Square Park Lark' was dedicated to Frank Zappa.
Over nine minutes long, the piece combined mother-esque melodies next to orchestrated chaos.
Quite experimental, but a beautiful tribute.

HERMETO PASCOAL

Everything is Sound: The Storied Career of Hermeto Pascoal

https://daily.bandcamp.com/features/hermeto-pascoal-planetario-da-gavea-interview

SOLIS LACUS

Sdban Records is re-releasing Solis Lacus' eponymous 1975 album !!

Solis Lacus is the cult group around renowned Belgian pianist Michel Herr, a pioneer of electric jazz in the 70's in Europe. Michel Herr rose to international prominence after winning the first prize at the jazz festival in Loosdrecht, The Netherlands, in 1971. He accompanied many European and American jazz stars on foreign tours and ran the group Jazztrack with saxophone player Wolfgang Engstfeld in Germany. At the same time, he set up his own band Solis Lacus, which consisted of Belgian musicians who had all made a name for themselves on the national jazz scene of the 1960s including Richard Rousselet and Bruno Castelluci both from Placebo. Inspired by the reigning jazz-rock sound of the day, Herr expanded his musical vocabulary and started to play electronic keyboards. Solis Lacus recorded its only album in the course of 1974 and 1975, before the members of the group headed in their own direction.

 

MIKE MILLER SUPER ALLSTARS IN CONCERT AT THE BAKED POTATO TONIGHT

https://www.thebakedpotato.com/events/mike-miller-super-allstars-friday-march-11-2022

 

LE SUN RA AND HIS COSMO DISCIPLINE ORHCESTRA - A NIGHT IN EAST BERLIN

Originally Sun Ra's "A Night In East Berlin" got released as a cassette on Sun Ra's Saturn label in 1986.

1. Mystic Prophecy
2. Beyond The Wilderness Of Shadows
3. Prelude To A Kiss
4. Interstellar Lo-Ways
5. Space Is The Place
6. We Travel The Spaceways
7. Shadow World
8. Rocket #9
9. Second Stop Is Jupiter

One year later, Leo Records re-released an edited version both as an LP and as a CD: LR149.

Unfortunately, Leo Records did not use the correct track titles or even track divisions. The 38 minutes  from 'A Night In East Berlin' were released as one long track where it should have been separated in a number of different tracks.

Tracks 2 to 4 are from different source.

1. A Night In East Berlin
2. Images
3. Love In Our Space
4. Space Is The Place

In 1995, Leo Records released "A Night In East Berlin / My Brothers The Wind & Sun N.9".
Again as LR149, but with the correct separation & titles.

1. Mystic Prophecy
2. Beyond The Wilderness Of Shadows
3. Prelude To A Kiss
4. Space Is The Place/We Travel The Spaceways
5. Interstellar Low Ways
6. The Shadow World
7. Rocket Number Nine
8. My Brothers The Wind And Sun N.9

Tracks 1 to 7 are from East Berlin, while track 8 is from a different location.
Don't know why Leo Records did not go for 'Second Stop Is Jupiter', also present on the original tape...

GOV'T MULE EUROPEAN TOUR DATES

 The Gov't Mule European Tour Dates :

JOE DENINZON & STRATOSPHEERIUS

From the upcoming live CD/DVD :

Joe adds:

While I look forward to all the super cool performances, recordings, and other projects awaiting me in the coming months, I write this with a heavy heart. My family is from Russia. My grandparents and their ancestors on my father's side were from Ukraine. We have many close friends from the Ukraine. Our hearts are breaking for the unprovoked invasion by the tyrant Putin and the unbelievable hardships the people of Ukraine are going through. We pray for peace and a swift end to this terrible war, for Putin to be removed from of power and punished for war crimes, and the Ukraine to be rebuilt and restored to the thriving democracy it deserves to be. We are also concerned that people in the United States and other countries do not blame Russian immigrants living among them for the invasion. People have to realize that we escaped this country decades ago because we distrusted its government and couldn’t see a future for our kids there. Most Russians I know, even the ones living in Russia who can’t speak openly about it, condemn this invasion and despise the man who started it.

AKK QUINTET

Manuel Pasquinelli's Akk Quintet.

Recorded April 10, 2016 (no edits, no overdubs)

• Manuel Pasquinelli - Drums, Composition
• Michael Gilsenan - Saxophone
• Maja Nydegger - Keys
• Markus Ischer - Guitar
• Andi Schnellmann - Bass
• Jonas Fehr - Live Visuals

from GlassOnyonPR:

Swiss Minimalistic Jazz Ensemble AKKU Quintet Release New “Live” Album

“Live” takes you on a 75-minute long musical journey and leads you into the cosmos of Swiss-based AKKU Quintet led by drummer and composer Manuel Pasquinelli (also known for his work with Sonar & David Torn). It contains five songs from different stages of the group's history, recorded at various locations between 2016 and 2020. You’ll hear the touch and character of each player, acting as a part of the ensemble to create this atmospheric, minimalistic yet livingly driving music.

Says Manuel, “Playing this music live is always an intense and beautiful experience. While not perfect, live versions often have a certain quality and spirit, which are hard to achieve in the studio. We want to share some live moments we captured on different occasions with this album, especially in this challenging time for live music. We didn’t do any editing. So you will hear truly handmade music. This album might be a good introduction to our work, and maybe one gets curious about the four studio albums we released before.”

“They take the Swiss zen maximalist/minimalist approach of Nik Bärtsch’s Ronin, Sonar, Schnellertollermeier to a different, but utterly logical conclusion. Fabulous stuff. Recommended!” - Steve Feigenbaum, Cuneiform Records

AKKU Quintet is based in Bern (Switzerland), from where they dispense a minimalistic jazz groove to great effect. Drummer Manuel Pasquinelli, who is also responsible for the compositions, founded the band in 2010. Their first concert took place in 2011. Since then, the band has released four studio albums and is playing live regularly. Their latest studio album, “Depart,” was the first one released with 7d Media. Manuel Pasquinelli is also known as the drummer of Sonar, who are collaborating with David Torn and Bill Laswell.

MESKEREM MEES

 

BEAT LOVE ORACLE IN CONCERT

Beat Love Oracle - Thursday, March 31, 2022 at the Museumtheater in Sint-Niklaas, BE

Beat Love Oracle - Friday, April 1, 2022 at the Conservatorium Aan Zee in Oostende, BE (only for students of the conservatory)

Saturday, April 23, 2022 at the Lunalia festival in Mechelen, BE, Kristien Ceuppens and Piet Van Bockstal will perform a piece by Frank Nuyts.

 

PERCUSSION UNDER CONSTRUCTION - LOCKED DOWN?

• percussion under construction: locked down?
      (2022, cd, ger, coviello classics) - 'the black page' (frank zappa)

I know, I know. I've mentioned this album a couple of times already...
Yesterday, while putting the info on the United Mutations Archives, I revisited the album again.
And although I'm repeating myself, I can only recommend you to check out this amazing release.
Not just because of the two beautiful lengthy and stretched versions of FZ's 'The Black Page" but also because of the other pieces.
Check it out !

For reference, here's the ensemble's Zappanale concert (recorded by the Zappanale Team):

DWEEZIL ZAPPA UPDATE

A recent message from Dweezil Zappa
(no link yet, so I guess it will only start next week on dweezilzappa.com)

Hello Everyone,

I hope you're all doing well. I'm reaching out to let you know that I'm premiering a new weekly series on my website called Audio Docs.

AUDIO DOCUMENTARY SERIES

This series offers a weekly glance into the humble musical fabric of my career. With 6 Episodes finished already, I will be releasing them every Monday at 5pm PST.

In this very casual talk format I share stories about the origins of my songs, sounds, and techniques. I also reminisce about all things music including meeting and working with musicians who've inspired me.

Hosted By Shawn Ratches

Episode One: "My Mother Is A Space Cadet"

Find out how my very first recording session at 12 years old took place and what I learned in the process. How the hell did Edward Van Halen and Donn Landee end up producing it?

JERRY HARRISON WITH ADRIAN BELEW AT ROSFEST

 ROSFEST
The Rites Of Spring Festival, Sarasota, Florida, USA

April 15 - 17, 2022

https://rosfest.org/

This year's edition of RoSFest will feature 9 bands representing a wide array of progressive and art rock music. The festival is set to kick off on Friday, April 15 at 8:30 pm, with Talking Heads guitarist Jerry Harrison, and former King Crimson guitarist/vocalist Adrian Belew, performing songs off the iconic Talking Heads album, Remain In Light, accompanied on stage by ex-members of super funk group, Turkuaz.

MATS ÖBERG UPDATE

Mats Öberg's excellent "Only Life" album got released on CD in 2013.
The ditigal download has now become available on Bandcamp.

NEW RELEASE BY THE BREAKFAST CLUB IMPROV BAND

The Breakfast Club Improv Band is one of Richard Hemmings' projects.
Their latest release is entitled "Musical Saboteurs".

DISCUS MUSIC RECORD LABEL UPDATE

The Discus Music record label is based in Sheffield in the United Kingdom.

Their Bandcamp page adds: 
The label releases leftfield rock music, free jazz, extended songform, electronics, improvised music, and other sounds which defy categorisation.

Discus Music recently released another album by the Eclectic Maybe Band !
And the even more exiting news is that European orders are shipped from Berlin, so there's no unexpected import charges!

HOTEL CALIFORNIA & ANDERE ROCK 'N ROLL VERHALEN

I haven't read it (yet), but according to my pal Ad this book by former OOR music journalist Constant Meijers mentions Frank Zappa and/or his bandmembers on several occasions.

In Dutch.
"Hotel Californië & andere rock 'n roll verhalen".

-- info: Ad Hendrickx

SUN RA ARKESTRA & SALAH RAGAB - SUN RA ARKESTRA MEETS SALAH RAGAB IN EGYPT

Discogs tells me that the "Sun Ra Arkestra Meets Salah Ragab In Egypt" album got released in 1983. It got a CD re-issue with one or two bonus tracks on the Golden Years Of New Jazz record label in 1999.

In about a month, the album will get another re-issue.
Both on LP and on CD (no bonus tracks).
On the Strut label.

Excellent !!

YĪN YĪN - THE AGE OF AQUARIUS

• YĪN YĪN: The Age Of Aquarius
      (2022, lp, eu, glitterbeat)

Two years after "The Rabbit That Hunts Tigers", Dutch band YĪN YĪN has just released their second album.
"The Age Of Aquarius" has a stronger focus on the dance beats and on the drum computer than its predecessor. Fortunately, the magic mixture of psychedelic and eastern melodies is still present.

Impressive.

Out on LP and on CD. Also available as a digital download from Bandcamp.

ZAPPA BAND ON CRUISE TO THE EDGE 2022

The Zappa Band has joined the line up for Cruise To The Edge !

Cruise to the Edge
May 2-7, 2022
Cruise to the Edge, the World’s Greatest Progressive Rock Experience, is pleased to announce the details for our 2022 journey.

https://cruisetotheedge.com/

It all happens May 2-7, 2022 aboard the Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas for our BIGGEST EVENT EVER! We have rescheduled the cruise to a larger vessel, giving us room for more Artists, additional stages, and a myriad of public spaces for our guests to hang out and enjoy.

Sails from Port Canaveral, May 2-7, 2022,

Visiting the Private Isle of Labadee and the Perfect Day at CocoCay!
Plus…two music filled days at sea!

 

THIRD ALBUM BY THE ECLECTIC MAYBE BAND

The Eclectic Maybe Band has a third album out.
Recorded in various sessions the last couple of years, with participation from a lot musicians, Guy Segers has collected enough material to put together another album.
Out on Discus Music (UK).

Featuring Guy SEGERS (bass, virtual keyboards/ drums / samples) * Carla DIRATZ (vocals, whistle) * Cathryn ROBSON (vocals) * Pierre BERNARD (flute) * Roland BINET (flute) * Stephan KÖHR (bassoon, contrabassoon) * Martin ARCHER (clarinet) * Dirk DESCHEEMAEKER (clarinet, bass clarinet) * Dave NEWHOUSE (saxophones, bass clarinet) * Joe HIGHAM (clarinet, keyboards) * Jean Pierre SOAREZ (trumpet) * Cécile BROCHÉ (violin) * Ariane PLUMEREL (violin) * Sigrid VANDENBOGAERDE (cello) * Catherine SMET (piano) * Andy KIRK (keyboards) * Kazuyuki KISHINO (ghost machine) * Michel DELVILLE (e-guitar) * Ángel ONTALVA (guitar) * Pascal VAUCEL (guitar) * Fabrice OWERZARZAK (drums)

POIL UEDA WINTER-SPRING TOUR

PoiL Ueda Winter Spring tour

go see them live!

02.03 | GENEVA | La Cave 12 | CH
03.03 I LYON I Le Périscope I FR
04.03 | BASEL | Sudhaus Basel | CH
05.03 | BRUSSELS | BRASS - Centre Culturel de Forest | BE
06.04 | LAUSANNE | Satellite | CH
07.04 | LUZERN | IG Industriestrasse | CH
08.04 | KUFSTEIN | KlangFarben Kufstein | AT
09.04 | BOURGOIN JALLIEU | Les Abattoirs SMAC | FR
04.06 | ANNECY | Le Brise Glace | FR
10.07 I TRENCIN I Pohoda Festival I SK