FLAT EARTH SOCIETY - ORFEUS - INTEGRALE VERSIE

 As expected, following yesterday's "De Liederen", Flat Earth Society now also released the complete version of their "Orfeus" theatre show.

JING CHI - JING CHI

• Jing Chi: Jing Chi
      (2001, cd, USA, tone center)

Jing Chi was a fusion trio that released three records between 2001 and 2004, plus another one in 2017.
Featuring Jimmy Haslip on bass, Robben Ford on guitar & Vinnie Colaiuta on drums.

I received a digital download of their first album a couple of days ago, and I have had it on standard rotation (between the other albums that I listened to).
Excellent !!

-- info & such: Philippe Lamoot

DOUBLE BILL : KAMEEL + MOJO AND THE KITCHEN BROTHERS

I was very impressed by a recent gig by Kameel, the Belgian jazz / rock trio.

They have another gig coming up next February, opening for Mojo And The Kitchen Brothers.
In Retie, BE.
21/02/2025

https://www.eventbrite.be/e/tickets-kameel-mojo-the-kitchen-bothers-1976642896112

Kameel

Mojo And The Kitchen Brothers

-- info: Philippe Lamoot

FLAT EARTH SOCIETY - ORFEUS - DE LIEDEREN

The Flat Earth Society has just released "Orfeus - De Liederen", the songs from the recent theatre performance which was a collaboration between composer Peter Vermeersch and actor Koen De Graeve.

In Flemish / Dutch !!

 

THE YOCKAMO ALL-STARS - DEW DROP OUT

New Orleans / Mardi Gras / Rhythm and Blues band The Yockamo All-Stars released their "Dew Drop Out" album in 1998!

I have to agree with my buddie Till who pointed out to me that when the trombone enters the 'Jambolero' piece, it resembles Frank Zappa's arrangement of Ravel's 'Bolero'.
Check out that trombone !

That being said, "Dew Drop Out" is a fun album.
Recommended listening.

• Yockamo All-Stars: Dew Drop Out
      (1997, cd, --, rykodisc)

Together with John Boutté, The Yockamo All-Stars released "Cubanismo In New Orleans / Mardi Gras Mambo".

Also very enjoyable.

• John Boutté And The Yockamo All-Stars: Cubanismo – Mardi Gras Mambo
      (2000, cd, USA, hannibal)

Here's 'Jambolero':

ALLAN HOLDSWORTH - I. O. U. LIVE

• Allan Holdsworth: I.O.U. Live
      (1997, cd, --, outer music)

Filling gaps in the Allan Holdsworth discography...
Released in 1997, "I. O. U. Live" was actually recorded in concert in Japan in 1984. It presented pieces from the "I. O. U.", "Road Games", and "Metal Fatigue" albums.

In 2018, "I. O. U. Live" would get re-released as a CD / DVD package called "Live In Japan 1984" by the Manifesto record label.

Allan Holdsworth on (breathtaking) guitar, Chad Wackerman on drums, Jimmy Johnson on bass, and Paul Williams on vocals.
Personally, I'm more in favor of the instrumental stuff, but this is a great album.
If you have the choice, go for the Manifesto release (with the DVD !!).

BRETT SPIVEY - DIE WEIHNACHTSMASCHINE

Die Weihnachtsmaschine (The Christmas Machine)
- A Holiday Tribute to Kraftwerk

brand-new release by Brett Spivey

NEW BANDCAMP RELEASE BY MIKE KENEALLY

"MKAF ‘03"
Mike Keneally & Friends
Live Adventures in Europe

COMING TO BANDCAMP
THIS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5!

The album will only be added to Mike's Bandcamp page on Friday:

https://mikekeneallymusic.bandcamp.com/

Mike added:

What is MKAF ‘03? Here’s some background:

Since the early ‘00s, concurrent with my Beer for Dolphins activities and the other stuff I get involved with, I’ve also had what I guess you could call my European Power Trio, consisting of me, Jaan Wessman (who lives in Finland) on bass, and Schroeder (who lives in Germany) on drums. We play when we can – three years ago we did the Zappanale Festival in Germany, and last year we played a few shows in Finland. I dearly love any opportunity to play with these guys – it’s a very special, and not widely known, part of my life and music.

Since 2016 we’ve been called The Mike Keneally Report, but when we started doing shows in 2002, and up until 2004, we were called MIKE KENEALLY & FRIENDS.

ZAPPANALE PREVIEW

Added to the Zappanale line-up:

German kraut rockers Agitation Free

Portugese band The Brothers Of Invention

Dutch / German collaboration The Filthy Brillos

= Fred & Armin of the Jeff Hollie trio & Sebastian, Sascha & Flo from the HuSos.

German band Die Miserablen Husos

ASTRAL MAGIC

 Astral Magic is a relatively new project by Santtu Laakso.
Santtu is the bass player for psychedelic space rock band Dark Sun.
His Astral Magic project comes from the same stable.

Kicked off by some home recordings during the covid-19 lockdown, Santtu has released over 40 albums up until today.

Here are the albums that I enjoyed / am enjoying today:

"Cruising The Celestial Highways" (2024)

"Shadows Over Jupiter (Remixed)"

"Strange Sensation"

"Mind Melt Machine EP"

ANTON ROOLAART - THE BALLAD OF GENERAL JUPITER

• Anton Roolaart: The Ballad Of General Jupiter
      (2026, cd, --, moonjune records)

With Anton Roolaart's "The Ballad Of General Jupiter" to be released in early January, the MoonJune Records label is already making one track available as a teaser.

Multi-instrumentalist Anton Roolaart was born in Teheran, Iran, and moved to the USA with his family at an early age. 
In 2007, Anton released his first album, "Dreamer', followed by a second one, "The Plight Of Lady Oona" in 2014.
In 2020, however, after living most of his life in the USA, Anton Roolaart moved to Amsterdam in The Netherlands where he continues to work on new music.

On "The Ballad Of General Jupiter", Anton does not hide his admiration for early nineteen seventies progressive rock music.
Eight tracks. Seven fine original compositions plus Jon Anderson's 'Yesterday And Today' (which fits great).

Blending rich musical textures with evocative and lyrical storytelling, The Ballad of General Jupiter is a collection of sonic tales — snapshots of imagination, emotion, and resilience. With echoes of David Bowie, Pink Floyd, early Genesis and Caravan, Roolaart paints vivid musical portraits shaped by imagination, introspection, and social consciousness as he explores not only personal themes, but also broader reflections on a world grappling with chaos, greed, and injustice.

If you're in or around Amsterdam on December 13th at Teatro Munganga, don't miss Anton Roolaart's acoustic concert. In addition to occasional local shows, Anton will be on a short tour of Benelux and Northern France in 2026, and he will perform at the 4th MoonJune International Festival in Teramo, Italy, in July 2026.

"The Ballad Of General Jupiter" will be out on CD, on LP and on Bandcamp in January 2026.
I was fortunate to give the complete album a listen and this one got a thumbs up from me.

Check out 'Star Child' on Bandcamp.

NEW RELEASE BY CHANAN HANSPAL

Chanan Hanspal's latest album, "Space Nordic", features Mike Keneally !

GUITAR WORLD INTERVIEW WITH MIKE KENEALLY

EXCELLENT Guitar World interview with Mike Keneally.
Talking about playing in Frank Zappa's band, but also discussing performing with Dweezil Zappa, Steve, Vai, XTC,...

 

J DILLA'S "DONUTS" ALBUM GETS ANOTHER RE-ISSUE

J Dilla's "Donuts" album celebrates is 20th anniversary in a couple of months.
Which translates into another re-issue of this excellent album.

The Donuts Audiophile Edition is lacquer cut at Bernie Grundman and manufactured at Fidelity Record Pressing - 2LP 180g vinyl at 45rpm. Deluxe art printed Stoughton jacket.

And here's one of the reasons why I like J Dilla: 'Mash', sampling Frank Zappa.

STICK MEN ON TOUR

Stick Men kicked off their West Coast 'Brutal' tour in Vancouver. 

• Tony Levin - Chapman Stick
• Markus Reuter - touch guitar
• Pat Mastelotto - drums, electronics

 

NEW SAMPLER : JOIN THE BAND! EARLY DAYS AND FAVORITE BLUES OF LITTLE FEAT

• Various Artists: Join The Band! Early Days And Favorite Blues Of Little Feat
      (2025, cd, Japan, oldays records)

The band members' musical history prior to the band's formation and the blues numbers they covered are all on this one disc!

So it's not Little Feat, but the music that influenced them, and music by the bands some of the members played in before they joined Little Feat.
Including The Factory with Lowell George, and The Mothers Of Invention, featuring Roy Estrada.

1.Join The Band / John Davis & Group
2.Smile, Let Your Life Begin / The Factory
3.No Place I'd Rather Be / The Factory
4.Trippin' Out / Something Wild
5.Why Don't You Do Me Right / The Mothers Of Invention
6.Forty-Four Blues / Howlin' Wolf
7.How Many More Years / Howlin' Wolf
8.You'll Be Mine / Howlin' Wolf
9.Wang Dang Doodle / Howlin' Wolf
10.Lonesome Whistle / Hank Williams
11.Framed / Coasters
12.Can't Be Satisfied / Muddy Waters
13.They're Red Hot (Hot Tamales) / Robert Johnson
14.You're Taking Up Another Man's Place / Mable John
15.That's A Pretty Good Love / Big Maybelle
16.Last Night / Little Walter
17.It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry / Bob Dylan
18.Going Down In Louisiana / Joe Hill Louis
19.Big Road Blues / Tommy Johnson
20.My Daddy Was A Jockey / John Lee Hooker

-- info: Jan van Kemenade

JUPITER ORBIT ESCAPE

Jupiter Orbit Escape - Mehr!

With Chato Segerer on the guitar !!

"MUSIC ACROSS" WITH GERNOT FRIEDBACHER

The "Music Across" radio show.
Every first Monday of the month, at 21h00

RADIO ORANGE - ORANGE 94.0
https://o94.at/radio/sendereihe/music-across/
https://cba.media/podcast/music-across

Produced by Gernot Friedbacher

Episode 130 – Zappanale 2025 #1 – "Music Outside The Norm – On the 85th birthday of Frank Zappa – December 1, 2025, 21h00

From 17 to 20 July 2025, the 34th Zappanale took place in Bad Doberan on the Baltic Sea.

Music Across was there again and interviewed all the musicians, which will be featured in several Music Across broadcasts along with live recordings from the concerts. Among the artists were Zappa alumni Bobby Martin and Ray White, and, believe it or not, 92-year-old Don Preston, who made music history with Frank Zappa's ‘Mothers of Invention’. And it is no coincidence that this programme is being broadcast for the first time in December, as Frank Zappa would have celebrated his 85th birthday on 21 December 2025. In this first programme about Zappanale 2025, you will hear interviews and music from British musician Geoff Pointer, alias Turbulator, who has spent most of his life in Australia, the Berlin Federal Police Orchestra, German-born composer Stefan Hakenberg, who lives in Austria, Zappa alumni Ray White and Bobby Martin, the Treacherous Cretins from Great Britain, and French musician Clémence Manachère, who lives in Germany. 

NACHO PICASSO

Another Frank Zappa sample.
'Treacherous Cretins' !!
Listen to Nacho Picasso's 'Voices In My Head'.
The final track on his "AntiHero Vol. 1" album.

PEDRO LADROGA

For another Frank Zappa sample, check out 'Ke Kiere Ase (Ke Kie)' on Pedro LaDroga's "Hologram" EP.
From 2014.

J.M. SMIG - ZAPPACRITE: IV. ERRS A PARENT

November 27, J.M. Smig wrote: 

Finally managed to sneak in a few breaks from the real world to revise "Zappacrite" for the first time in over a year. Still far from finished but I managed to add an extra minute to the fourth movement, "Errs a Parent". 

Still unfinished, this updated version got added to the “Apostolatus” album, replacing the shorter February piece.

DWEEZIL ZAPPA

• Dweezil Zappa: Leather Turkey
      (2025, download, USA, reward music platform)

For Thanksgiving 2025, Dweezil Zappa updated his 2022 “Leather Turkey” release. He explained:

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! LEATHER TURKEY

Delicious treats for your ears right here!

I have updated "Leather Turkey" to include more songs. It features a rare mash-up, "Twinkle Tits" mixed with "Dupree's Paradise" in Oslo on 11-25-19 with the Norwegian wind Ensemble. "Heavy Duty Judy" from the Rox-Postrophy tour, Live in St. Louis from 2024. There's also a suite of songs Live from Vienna in 2018.

Zappa Plays Zappa with the Norwegian Wind Ensemble
[1] 2019 11 25 Oslo, Norway

Zappa Plays Zappa
[2] 2024 St. Louis
[3] 2018 Vienna, Austria

01. Twinkle Tits & Dupree’s Paradise [1]
02. Heavy Duty Judy [2]
03. Call Any Vegetable [3]
04. Tell Me You Love Me [3]
05. Dog Breath [3]
06. Dog Meat [3]
07. Sleep Napkins [3]

Available from Dweezil Zappa's website.
https://www.dweezilzappa.com/

MOSAE ZAPPA FESTIVAL

This weekend, Heerlen will be the place to be as it's time for another edition of the MOSAE ZAPPA festival.
All venues are to be found in and around the center of Heerlen.

Friday
19h00 at Café Bluff

• Documentary
• A Quiz
• The Disco Boyz (DJ set)

Saturday

11h00 at the Betahuis

• Shut Up And..., a discussion with Michel Delville (The Wrong Object) and Tim Op Het Broek

13h00 at Pat's Tostibar

• Fred Händl

19h00 at the Nieuwe Nor

• Uncle Meat (Zappa tribute)
• Heath
• Orange Claw Hammer (Captain Beefheart tribute)
• Enjaku YoYo 

Sunday

11h00 at the Nieuwe Nor Café

• Record Fair
• The Disco Boyz (DJ Set)

15h00 at Outpoet

• H_U_T._

-

-

PAPIR - IX

Danish trio Papir has a new album out: "IX".

Instrumental rock.
Nice !!

• Nicklas Sørensen - guitar
• Christian Becher Clausen - bass
• Christoffer Brøchmann Christensen - drums

THE DAVE PIKE SET - NOISY SILENCE - GENTLE NOISE

• The Dave Pike Set: Noisy Silence - Gentle Noise
      (2025, cd, Japan, mps / solid records cdsol-3515)

Originally recorded and released in 1969, The Dave Pike Set’s “Noisy Silence – Gentle Noise” has been re-released several times.
This (very) recent Japanese re-release on the Solid Records label comes with an obi.

Dave Pike’s quartet featured Dave Pike (vibraphone), Volker Kriegel (guitar), Hans Rettenbacher (bass), and Peter Baumeister (drums).

The album included FZ’s ‘Mother People’ in an arrangement by Volker Riegel.

THE CHEMISTRY SET - THE TRAGIC FRIDGE MAGNET

'The Tragic Fridge Magnet' is (one side) of the brand new Double A-Side single from The Chemistry Set. The other A- Side is 'STP.'

Released as a limited-edition coloured vinyl on December 19th 2025 by Fruits de Mer records. 

Digital release, with bonus track (extended version of STP) will be released on Bandcamp on January 15th 2026.

Thanks to Drain Hope for the incredible videos.

P&C The Chemistry Set 2025/26

EIDON - JAMMEE 2

Jammee 2
by Eidon

ANOTHER A.I. ALBUM COVER FOR A FRANK ZAPPA RELEASE

I mentioned the "Rock N' Roots Of Frank Zappa (clear vinyl LP)" earlier today.

Look at that album cover.
Something's definitely wrong with that picture.

 

RAOUL PETITE - NI VIEUX NI MAITRE

• Raoul Petite: Ni Vieux Ni Maître
      (2020, cd, France, cannibal pigs / private release)
      (2020, cd promo, France, cannibal pigs / private release)

Raoul Petite’s « Ni Vieux Ni Maître » got released on LP and on CD. The CD carried several bonus tracks, including the Frank Zappa-inspired ‘Music is The Best’.

Two editions of this album exist: the standard digipack release and a promotional cardboard sleeve edition.

MERIDIAN ARTS ENSEMBLE - PRIME MERIDIAN

• Meridian Arts Ensemble: Prime Meridian
      (1995, cd, The Netherlands, channel crossings)
      (1995, cd promo, The Netherlands, channel crossing)

The Meridian Arts Ensemble's "Prime Meridian" album is a must-have for any fan of Frank Zappa's music.
The album presented 6 fine Zappa pieces, in an arrangement of Jon Nelson.

02. Peaches En Regalia
03. Let’s Make The Water Turn Black
04. Oh No (I Don’t Believe It)
05. Igor’s Boogie
06. Eat That Question
07. Echidna’s Arf (Of You)

Next to the standard jewel case release, there's also a promotional version in a cardboard cover.
Very happy with it.

REVOLUTIONARY SNAKE ENSEMBLE - SERPENTINE

• Revolutionary Snake Ensemble: Serpentine
       (2025, cd, USA, cuneiform rune 549)

As ordering from the States is becoming almost impossible due to rising postage costs and exuberant custom handling fees, I was fortunate to see that copies of Ken Field's Revolutionary Snake Ensemble  got distributed into Europe.

Excellent music, including a fine version of FZ's 'Son Of Mr. Green Genes'.

A fine addition to The Others Of Invention.

FRANK ZAPPA - - - ROCK N' ROOTS OF FRANK ZAPPA

Another Frank Zappa related album got announced earlier this week:

Frank ZAPPA - Rock N' Roots Of Frank Zappa
(clear vinyl LP)

I'm curious to fine out what will be on it.

To be released in January 2026.

NUBIYAN TWIST & ENIOLA

Beautiful artwork & enjoyable music.
A great combination.

"Chasing Shadows"
by Nubiyan Twist and Eniola

Full album to be released in February 2026.

SPIKE JONES

From the liner notes of "The Best Of Spike Jones - The Funniest Show On Earth:
Spike was a true innovator whose comedic genius was light years ahead of this time, directly influencing such iconoclasts as Frank Zappa, Ernie Kovacs, Weird Al Yankovic, George Carlin and Billy Crystal.

• Spike Jones: The Best Of Spike Jones – The Funniest Show On Earth
      (2009, 3dvd, --, infinity)

For those who want to dive into the Spike Jones discography, here's a list of his albums
(thanks to Danny Mathys):

1	Spike Jones: Spike Jones Presents A Xmas Spectacular (1956, lp)
2	Spike Jones: Spike Jones Demonstrates Your Hi—Fi — Dinner Music For People Who Aren't Very Hungry (1957, lp)
3	Spike Jones: Spike Jones In Stereo — A Spooktacular In Screaming Sound ! (1959, lp)
4	Spike Jones And The Band That Plays For Fun: Omnibust (1960, lp)
5	Spike Jones And The Band That Plays For Fun: "60 Years Of ""Music America Hates Best""" (1960, lp)
6	Spike Jones: Washington Square (1963, lp)
7	Spike Jones: Spike Jones' New Band (1964, lp)
8	Spike Jones: My Man (1964, lp)
9	Spike Jones: The New Band Of Spike Jones Plays Hank Williams Hits (1965, lp)
10	Spike Jones And His City Slickers: Spike Jones Murders Them All (1973, 2lp)
11	Spike Jones And His City Slickers: Spike Jones Murders Again (1973, 2lp)
12	Spike Jones And His City Slickers: Spike Jones Can't Stop Murdering (1974, 2lp)
13	Spike Jones: The King Of Corn (1978, lp)
14	Spike Jones And His Other Orchestra: The Uncollected Spike Jones And His Other Orchestra — 1946 (1982, lp)
15	Spike Jones & His City Slickers: Radio Days (1990, cd)
16	Spike Jones And His City Slickers: The Radio Years Volume 1 (1993, cd)
17	Spike Jones And His City Slickers: The Radio Years Volume 2 (1993, cd)
18	Spike Jones: (Not) Your Standard Spike Jones Collection (2003, 3cd)

And another DVD you might want to check out:

• Spike Jones: Wild Music
      (2011, dvd, --, tgg direct)
  
  

FLO & EDDIE - - - HOLLYWOOD MEMORIES

• Flo & Eddie: Hollywood Memories
      (1976, tv documentary, dutch VARA television)

Broadcast as an episode of a series called Wonderland on Dutch television.
Probably in 1976.
I recently got hold of an (excellent) DVDR copy.

50 minutes, where Flo & Eddie guide the viewer through the new Hollywood.
Hilarious.
(Frank Zappa is mentioned very briefly in the documentary.)

PRINCE AND THE REVOLUTION - AROUND THE WORLD IN A DAY

• Prince And The Revolution: Around The World In A Day
      (2025, 2cd, --, npg records)

Originally released in 1985.
Monumental.

This 'deluxe re-release' presents the remastered album, an extended version (21 minutes) of 'America', and several remixes.
I went for the 2 CD set but there are a lot of options, even a picture disc.

SNARKY PUPPY & METROPOLE ORKEST - IT STAYS WITH YOU

Snarky Puppy & Metropole Orkest - It Stays With You (cond. Jules Buckley)

 

JEAN-LUC PONTY - - - 1976 11 21 'THE BOTTOM LINE', NEW YORK CITY, NY

I recently got hold of a fine concert recording, sourced from an FM broadcast, by Jean-Luc Ponty.
(from the 101 Guitars website)

"Jean-Luc Ponty - 1976 11 21 Bottom Line, NYC, NY (FM)"

Promoting his "Imaginary Voyage" album, Jean-Luc's band featured Tom Fowler (bass), Alan Zavod (keyboard), Darryl Stuermer (guitar) - all three also present on the record -, and Steve Smith (drums).

Both J.-L. Ponty and Tom Fowler had played in Zappa's band prior to 1976, while Alan Zavod would eventually join Zappa's band in 1984. I guess having played with J.-L. Ponty contributed to convince FZ to hire him.

JETHRO TULL - LIVE IN BERLIN 1985

• Jethro Tull: Live In Berlin 1985
      (2025, download / streaming, --, digital music platforms)

A 2025 remastered version of Jethro Tull's "Live in Berlin 1985" got released on digital platforms (Amazon Music, Apple Music, TIDAL, and Spotify) earlier this month.

The concert featured Eddie Jobson !

Restricted to streaming, Live In Berlin 1985 may seem strange, as it doesn’t contain a single cut from the group’s then-latest record, but the special performance – featuring the temporarily returning Eddie Jobson, it’s known to aficionados as “Bach-Rock” and circulated for years in video form – celebrated Johann Sebastian Bach’s 300th birthday, so there’s logic to it.

SNARKY PUPPY & METROPOLE ORKEST - SOMNI

• Snarky Puppy & Metropole Orkest: Somni
      (2025, 2lp, --, groundup music)
      (2025, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)

Released through several digital music channels, and available as a 2 LP set on blue vinyl, Snarky Puppy's recent collaboration with the Metropole Orkest, is another amazing release.

Beautiful compositions, typical Snarky Puppy timbres, and lyrically emphasised by the Metropole Orchestra.

Brilliant.

"Somni" is the second collaborative album by Snarky Puppy — the GRAMMY-winning, genre-fluid collective led by bassist-composer Michael League — and Metropole Orkest, the Netherlands-based hybrid ensemble renowned for fusing jazz, classical, and popular music on a symphonic scale. Captured live over three nights (January 17–19, 2025) in Utrecht, the project reunites the two groups a decade after their first joint effort, Sylva — an orchestral suite released in 2015 that earned the GRAMMY for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album the following year.

"Somni" will be out as a combined CD and DVD set early next year, which I'm also looking forward to. In the meantime, I'm more than happy with the audio (and the YouTube pieces).

FRANKIE COFONE - THE SOLINA RECORD

• Francis Cofone: The Solina Record
      (2025, cd, Germany, iapetus media)

Guitarist and composer Francis Cofone creates ambient, atmospheric soundscapes.
Perfect for an early morning with a cup of coffee, or for any other moment when you need some time in seclusion.

"The Solina Record" is a collaboration between Francis Cofone and Markus Reuter, who, for this occasion played an analog Solina String Ensemble synthesizer.
It's their second collaboration, the first one being the 2024 "Space Fabric" album.

Markus Reuter added:
This album came into being almost by accident — one of those rare moments when time, space, and sound align in perfect harmony.

In May 2025, Frankie Cofone came to Berlin to record his second ambient guitar album at the legendary Hansa Studios, with me serving as producer. Over the course of the day, he recorded nearly three hours of extraordinary solo music — rich, spacious, and deeply personal.

As the night wound down, we realized we still had about an hour left in the studio. That’s when I noticed a vintage ARP Solina String Ensemble tucked away in the corner. We asked the engineer to patch it in, and without much thought or planning, Frankie and I began to play together. It was the first time I played a real Solina, and it was wonderful.

What you hear on The Solina Record is the result of that spontaneous session — a genuine, unfiltered moment of creation. The music is almost untouched, just as it unfolded that night. It holds a special place in our hearts, and we hope it will speak to yours as well.

Bandcamp release, and available on CD.
Out on the Iapetus Media record label.

ALIENO DE BOOTES' "UNCONVENTIONAL RESIDENTS IV" AVAILABLE ON BANDCAMP

The CD got released a couple of months ago on the Klanggalerie record label, and now Volume 4 of Alieno De Bootes' tribute to The Residents, "Unconventional Residents IV" has also been made available on Bandcamp.

NEW ALBUM BY DWIKI DHARMAWAN

Dwiki Dharmawan - "Anagnorisis"

New album on MoonJune Records by the Indonesian piano and keyboards icon, producer, composer, arranger, improvisor, educator, cultural ambassador.

Out on the MoonJune Records label.

PRIORY OF BRION (WITH ROBERT PLANT)

'Evil Woman' / 'Morning Dew'
by Priory of Brion with Robert Plant 

• Robert Plant - vocal
• Kevyn Gammond - guitar
• Paul Timothy - keyboards
• Paul Wetton - bass
• Andy Edwards - drums

"SONGS FOR THE DEAD" AT MAGASIN 4 IN BRUSSELS ON DECEMBER 3, 2025

Magasin 4 has scheduled an evening of (morbid) sounds and music, with Catharine Graindorge and with Berlinde Deman.

"Songs For The Dead"
Catharine Graindorge

"Plank 9"
Berlinde Deman

at Magasin 4, Brussels - 3/12/2025

https://www.magasin4.be/zoom/songs-for-the-dead/47099/

-- info: Philippe Lamoot

THE CHEMISTRY SET

Here's the brand spanking new Chemistry Set video for 'STP', a track on their Fruits de Mer 7" single that will be released on December 15th - full details here https://www.fruitsdemerrecords.com/fridge.html

FURIOUS BONGOS WORKING ON A CD RELEASE

 The Furious Bongos:
Just finished going through all the official recordings/videos, and we are definitely going to release the full show from Third Room in Asheville, NC on CD and video. The band was on point, the venue looks awesome (and the staff/crew are lovely humans), and the audience was off the hook.

Here's a nice snippet from a 2024 show:

 

PANZERBALLETT & VIRGIL DONATI - - - PICK UP THE PIECES

Recorded live in May 2025 @ BeardyMountainStudio in Pressbaum/ Vienna.
Song "Pick Up The Pieces" written by AVERAGE WHITE BAND,
performed by PANZERBALLETT and VIRGIL DONATI

A GRANDMOTHERS UPDATE !!

Reinhard Preuss (from Muffin Record Productions" says:

I started looking into the archive and decided to do it because..., long story short: THE GRANDMOTHERS aka THE GRANDMOTHERS OF INVENTION never before released studio sessions from 1993 with Jimmy Carl Black, Don Preston, Bunk Gardner, Roland St Germain, Ener Bladezipper, Linda Valdmets & Sandro Oliva will hit your Ears soon!

BELEDO MECHANISM, FEATURING CHAD WACKERMAN

Beledo Mechanism - - - two great nights in So-Cal

Beledo (guitar, electric piano)
Chad Wackerman (drums)
Anthony Crawford (bass guitar)
Nick Mancini (vibraphone).

• January 14 - Los Angeles, CA (The Baked Potato, 2 shows)
• January 15 - San Pedro, CA (Alva's Showroom)

BANNED FROM UTOPIA UPDATE

A Banned From Utopia update.

With a date added for the Paradox club in Tilburg NL (4/10/2026)
And featuring Mike Keneally on guitar.

FLAT EARTH SOCIETY ORCHESTRA UPDATE

Upcoming concerts

• 20/11 Jazz Pelt, CC Palethe, Pelt, BE
• 04/12 Ham Sessions Feestconcert, De Centrale, Gent, BE
• 12/12 De Kern, Wilrijk, BE
• 13/12 Nova Express, Nona, Mechelen, BE

And there's a new album being recorded !

"Missa Asinorum"

Album release concerts

• 28/04/2026: première @ HA Concerts, Gent, BE
• 01/05/2026: BIM Huis, Amsterdam, NL
• 08/05/2026: Paradox, Tilburg, NL

THURSDAY 20/11 - - - MATS & MORGAN AT LE TRITON IN PARIS, FRANCE

Thursday, 20 November at 8:30 p.m.
MATS AND MORGAN
FEAT. HENRIK LINDER & MÉDÉRIC COLLIGNON

MATS AND MORGAN are back at Le Triton, much to our delight!

The Swedish duo was discovered in the early 1990s by the great Frank Zappa himself. We heard them in 1991 alongside Mike Keneally and Steve Vai in the Zappa's Universe project, supervised by the master himself. Since then, they have been flying solo in a stunningly virtuosic band that is restoring jazz-fusion to its former glory, thanks to compositions that are not mere pretexts for a display of technical prowess.
For their grand return to the Triton stage, they will be accompanied by Swedish virtuoso bassist Henrik Linder and the explosive troublemaker Médéric Collignon.

LA TABARÉ RIVEROCK BANDA COVERED 'WHAT'S THE UGLIEST PART OF YOUR BODY?'

Originally released on LP in 1987, Uruguayan rock band La Tabaré Riverock Banda’s “Sigue Siendo Rocanrol” album included their (Spanish) version of FZ's 'What's The Ugliest Part Of Your Body?'.
The album got re-released on CD in 1995, using different artwork.
A remastered CD reissue, using the original artwork picture, got released in 2012.

 

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-- info: Hans-Peter Schmidt

WARREN HAYNES TOUR DATES

Warren Haynes is hitting the road in 2026 with a brand new run of shows—spanning intimate solo performances and full-power Warren Haynes Band dates.

This tour gives fans two ways to experience Warren’s unmatched musicianship: the raw, up-close storytelling of the solo shows, and the electric, full-band energy of WHB returning to the stage.

HAWKLORDS - FAITH

Having released their first record in 2008, Hawklords are an offshoot of Hawkwind, with various ex-members joining and leaving the band over the years.

The recent "Faith" album still has Jerry Richards at the helm, joined by Phillip Reeves.
Plus a fine selection of guests, of course.

ANTON BARBEAU - DIG THE LIGHT

From the Bandcamp liner notes:

While sister album "Glitch Wizard" spelunked the caves of Barbeau's psyche, companion album "Dig The Light" emerges with 13 tracks of musical sunshine. Recorded at the same basement temple (before its darker twin was even complete), this album swaps introspection for connection, featuring psychedelic godfather Barry "The Fish" Melton trading licks with XTC's Dave Gregory while The Moore Brothers add harmonies sweet enough to require a dental plan.
Where "Glitch Wizard" dives inward, "Dig The Light" extends a hand outward, offering dry, intimate production that lets big themes breathe without gasping. It's the musical equivalent of finding an unexpected flashlight just as the sun sets—proof that even the master of psychedelic freak-outs knows when to guide us toward rather than away from the light.

DOCTOR DELTA - DOCTOR DELTA PLAY ZAPPA - HYDROGEN AND STUPIDITY

• Doctor Delta: Doctor Delta Play Zappa - Hydrogen And Stupidity
      (2025, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)

Doctor Delta are Giorgio Casadei and Alice Miali.
"Doctor Delta Play Zappa - Hydrogen And Stupidity" is their excellent tribute to the music of Frank Zappa and The Mothers Of Invention.

Lovely vocals, a Theremin,...
Beautiful !!

Check it out.

MARC-ANDRÉ HAMELIN - FOUND OBJECTS / SOUND OBJECTS

• Marc-André Hamelin: Found Objects / Sound Objects
      (2025, cd, UK, hyperion records)

"Found Objects / Sound Objects" kicks off with 'Ruth Is Sleeping', performed on piano, in an arrangement by Ali N. Askin.

Wonderful contemporary pieces, including the 'The Perilous Night' for prepared piano by John Cage, and 'Tip', sort of a medley / puzzle by John Oswald.
And even one by Marc-André himself.
Adventurous stuff !!

REPLICADELIC - CLINKADELIC VINTAGE SYSTEM - CONTEMPORARY HYPOCRITES

More Artificial Intelligence produced albums by L33K5P1N.
Digital download & streaming on Bandcamp, but also made available as (jewelcase) CDR album in excellent artwork (+ obi), in a limited edition of 10 copies each.

• Replicadelic: Sludge Growl
      (2024, download / streaming, --, bandcamp / l33k5p1n 84574rd5)
      (2024, cdr, Germany, l33k5p1n 84574rd5 475)

Mixing FZ's "Over-Nite Sensation" & P-Funk.
This is fun !!

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• Clinkadelic Vintage System: The P-Gospel Comes To The World
       (2025, download / streaming, --, bandcamp / l33ksp1n b4574rd5)
       (2025, cdr, Germany, l33k5p1n 84574rd5)

No A.I. this time, but 6 experimental tracks, including a piece entitled ‘Moogfunk Zappalooza’. Experimental / improvised synthesizer parts.

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• Contemporary Hypocrites: Family Flesh & Relative Protein
      (2024, download / streaming, --, bandcamp / l33k5p1n 84574rd5)
      (2024, cdr, Germany, l33k5p1n 84574rd5 343) 

Another Artificial Intelligence production (that shifts "Uncle Meat" into a Reggae/HipHop/PostPunk thing).

ZAPPOSTROPHE 155

It seems like our buddies from the Czech Frank Zappa Fan Club have been playing with A.I. for the cover of the latest issue of their fanzine.

LINE-UP FOR THE MOONJUNE FESTIVAL - JULY 23-26, 2026

A message from Leonardo / MoonJune Records:

Today, we held a press conference in the Italian city of Teramo to announce the 25th anniversary of the MoonJune Festival.

Teramo, Italy.
July 23-26, 2026.

Tickets will go on sale in mid-January. More information next week.

• PFM Premiata Forneria Marconi
• Soft Machine with special guest Gary Husband
• Gong with special guest Steve Hillage
• Steve Hillage Rainbow Dome Musick featuring Miquette Giraudy
• Gary Husband One
• Diego Amador Flamenco Fusion Trio
• Beledo & Dwiki Dharmawan MoonJune All Stars Band featuring Gilad Atzmon, Boris Savoldelli, Yaron Stavi, Asaf Sirkis
• Dewa Budjana & Nicolas Meier
• Markus Reuter Truce
• Boris Savoldelli Psychedelic Jazz Trio
• Anton Roolaart
• Dennis Rea
• Anthony Garone
• Vittorino Curci Sax & Poesia
• Danilo Di Paolonicola Plays Charlie Parker

I H8 CAMERA - LIVE AT L'ARCHIDUC

• I H8 Camera: Live At L'Archiduc
      (2025, 2lp, Belgium, starman records)

We enjoyed I H8 Camera's concert at jazz club 'De Singer' in Rijkevorsel, BE, yesterday.
Reason enough to give the combo's most recent album a listen.

Improvised music !!
The line-up of the band is always a bit different.
The "Live At L'Archiduc" album features Rudy Trouvé, Matt Watts, Teuk Henri, Jef Mercelis, Stef Kamil Carlens, Teun Verbruggen, and special guests Rodrigo Fuenteabla Palavicino, Florian Guibert, Lennart Van Praet, Roland Van Campenhout, Seppe Gebreurs & Catherine Graindorge.

A lot of people, and a lot of notes at times, but very enjoyable !

KAMEEL

Kameel is a Belgian trio that features Patrick Steenaerts on guitar.
Worth checking out.

I bought their latest album at one of their concerts recently, but I'm also very happy with the (other) two albums that I bought on CD on-line.

"Barkas" (2020°

"Trugschluss" (2023)

THE RESIDENTS - LEFTOVERS 1970 - 1988

• The Residents: Leftovers 1970-1988
      (2025, 2cd, UK, cherry red)

The last couple of years, Cherry Red released 3 separate "Leftovers" albums:

• The Residents: Leftovers Again ?! Again!
      (2021, lp, --, new ralph too nrtlp 019 / cherry red / mvd audio) – 2021 – RSD release
• The Residents: Leftovers Again ?! Again!
      (2024, lp, --, new ralph too nrtlp 021 / cherry red / mvd audio) – 2024 – RSD release
• The Residents: Leftovers Again?! Again?! (Again)
      (2025, lp, --, new ralph too nrtlp 023 / cherry red / mvd audio)) – 2025 RSD Release

The recent "Leftovers 1970-1988" 2 CD set collects all the material (well, most of the material - at least, that's what I read on a Facebook group) that got released on the three LPs. But it also has some previously unreleased track. Oh well,... I don't mind.
A nice collection of oddities, plus some fine liner notes.

SEAN NOONAN

a message from Sean Noonan

Dear friends,

It’s been an extraordinary journey bringing together two major projects that I’m thrilled to finally share with you.

This month marks the official announcement of my new double album and world premiere The Drummer of Tedworth with the London Symphony Orchestra, alongside the upcoming Noonan Trio UK Tour this December.

THE DRUMMER OF TEDWORTH

World Premiere + Double Album Release

Album Release: February 20, 2026, Neuma Records
Sean Noonan + London Symphony Orchestra

World Premiere: March 30, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. | Milton Court Concert Hall, London
Sean Noonan + St. Paul’s Sinfonia

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Upcoming concert dates

DECEMBER 2025 TOUR DATES Dec 7 – (Sean Solo Performance in Silo) Old England, Bristol

• Dec 8 – Speakeasy, Hereford
• Dec 9 – Bank Vault, Aberystwyth
• Dec 10 – Hafan Yr Afon Car Park, Newtown
• Dec 11 – Noise Upstairs, Manchester
• Dec 13 – Book Club, Leeds
• Dec 14 – The Globe, Newcastle
• Dec 15 – Puzzle Hall Inn, Sowerby Bridge

MERIDIAN ARTS ENSEMBLE - CREDO

• Meridian Arts Ensemble: Credo
      (2024, download / streaming, --, 8bells020)

Today, I found it very relaxing to start the day with with some classical contemporary music, performed by a top brass ensemble.
Pieces by David Sanford, Joseph Haydn, Daniel Grabois (who's part of the ensemble), and Igor Stravinsky.
I'm unfamiliar with the compositions but pleasantly surprised. And I love the overall brass sound.
Can't wait to hear their upcoming album, "The Zappa House Concert", especially because it will also include some FZ pieces.

https://listn.fm/credo/

-- info: Danny Mathys

ZAPPADAN ZAPPAJAM

Here's the link for the Zappadan Zappajam festival.
London, UK
Sunday afternoon, December 7

https://mike6891.wixsite.com/zappadanzappajam

2:30 pm Turbulator
3:00 pm Adam & his Invisible Pianist
3:20 pm MindfooD
4:00 pm London Zappa Collective
4:40 pm GABBA ZAPPA HEY!
5:00pm Closing Jam Session

MONIKA ROSCHER BIGBAND

A message from Monika Roscher :

Hey everyone,

our new live video "Future 3" is here on YouTube! 🔥
And I play a little guitar solo there;)

Have a great week,
kind regards,
Monika and the Bigband

Next live concerts:
🎸 22.11. Z-Bau, Nuremberg
🎸 27.12. Pavillon, Hanover
🎸 28.12. Jazzclub, Regensburg

L33KADELIC

L33KADELIC is another of L33K5P1N's musicial projects, where he uses Artificial Intelligance to mix and blend musical genres and/or lyrics.
L33KADELIC, being more disco oriented.
It still works, but personally, I think the P-Funk works better when you mix some Zappa in.

The albums got released on Bandcamp and made available on CDR.
The CDR versions were limited to 10 copies each. Jewel case + obi.

• L33kadelic: Everyday Trouble With The Doodie Chamber
      (2024, download / streaming, --, bandcamp / l33k5p1n 84574rd5)
      (2024, cdr, Germany, l33k5p1n 84574rd5 339) 

("Roxy & Elsewhere" in a P-Funk / Disco package)

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• L33kadelic: Minor Solutions
       (2024, download / streaming, --, bandcamp / l33k5p1n 84574rd5)
      (2024, cdr, Germany, l33k5p1n 84574rd5 358)

(More AI Zappa / disco / P-Funk)

NEW STUDIO ALBUM BY SOFT MACHINE

Coming out in March of 2026, celebrating 60 years of the legacy of Soft Machine. ‘Thirteen’. Featuring John Etheridge, Theo Travis, Fred Baker, Asaf Sirkis.

The brand new Soft Machine studio album ‘Thirteen’ has now been recorded, mixed and mastered and it is time to get it ready to send out into the world. Our first studio album since 2023’s ‘Other Doors’ and our first with new drummer Asaf Sirkis, who has made such a big impression on recent tours.

The album also features John Etheridge (now 50 years with the band!), Theo Travis, and Fred Baker. Special guests on the album include organist Pete Whittaker on two tracks and Daevid Allen on glissando guitar on one track. Of course Daevid Allen was a founding member of the band, but has not appeared on a Soft Machine recording for sixty years! So this is something very special.

Atmospheric improvisations, psychedelic free jazz, powerful jazz rock, screaming guitar, hypnotic looped alto flutes, fretless bass grooves, deep melodies and experimental electronic music, Soft Machine continues to pursue its musically ambitious, wide ranging, jazz based but without boundaries agenda in creating the most ambitious and adventurous heartfelt music we can make. The band hopes you like it as much as they enjoyed making it. With cover image by artist Esra Kizir Gokcen and design by Carl Glover.

https://softmachine.org/store13

GONG - - - STARS IN HEAVEN

From GlassOnyonPR

Legendary psych outfit Gong are back today their new single ‘Stars In Heaven’ alongside a brand new music video created by Drain Hope. The band have also teased the release of their new album which fans will see in 2026 and shared the album’s name – Bright Spirit.

“It’s such an eclectic record,” says singer and guitarist Kavus Torabi. “This is the most colourful and kaleidoscopic album so far from this incarnation of the band. There are Eastern-infused epics, long instrumental jazz-inspired sections, meditative and cosmic detours and blistering, incendiary psychedelic rock. When picking the first song to be released, it has felt as if there’s an extra weight on the choice, as if the song somehow has to represent the whole album.”

UK TOUR DATES 2025/26

GONG – UK
Nov 08 - Bedford Esquires, Bedford
Nov 14 - Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis
Nov 15 - The Boileroom, Guildford
Nov 16 - The Piper, St Leonards
Nov 25 - Norwich Arts Centre, Norwich
Nov 29 - Club 85, Hitchin

GONG & HENGE - UK
Nov 05 - The 1865, Southampton
Nov 06 - Trinity Centre, Bristol
Nov 07 - Dreamland, Margate
Nov 09 - Colchester Arts Centre, Colchester
Nov 11 - The Globe, Cardiff
Nov 12 - Exeter Phoenix, Exeter
Nov 13 - Princess Pavilion, Falmouth
Nov 19 - Crookes Social Club, Sheffield
Nov 20 - The Leeds Irish Centre Leeds
Nov 21 - Northumbria Students' Union, Newcastle
Nov 22 - Kanteena, Lancaster
Nov 23 - St Luke's Glasgow, Glasgow
Nov 26 - Cambridge Junction, Cambridge
Nov 27 - The Robin, Bilston
Nov 28 - Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
Nov 30 - Earth Hall, London

Mar 19 - Chalk, Brighton
Mar 20 - Gulbenkian Theatre, Canterbury
Mar 21 - Hangar 18, Swansea
Mar 26 - The Drill, Lincoln
Mar 27 - New Century Hall, Manchester
Mar 28 - Hangar 34, Liverpool

THE PLASTIC PEOPLE OF THE UNIVERSE - LIVE 1972

Brand-new release that takes us back to 1972: a concert by The Plastic People Of The Universe.
CD and 2 LP.
Out on the Czech Guerilla Records label.

Both include some Zappa compositions. The 2 LP's side 4 is an almost entirely Zappa set.

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