NEW RELEASE FROM PANZERPAPPA

Panzerpappa just released "The Panzerpappa Avant Rock Calendar 2025".

 “It is a common tradition in Norway is to present a small surprise or gift each day of December until Christmas, in the form of an Advent Calendar. Panzerpappa has this year provided their own spin to this tradition by presenting one track from the extensive back catalogue each day accompanied by a video. This is only the second time the band has done this kind of thing, the first time in almost 10 years. This time, each band member chose 5 favourite tracks from the catalogue. And now on Christmas Eve, as a gift to our listeners, we present the collection as a compilation album on Bandcamp. You can pay as little, or as much, as you like. It is all up to you. Please, enjoy the music and Merry Christmas.”

THE RUDY SCHWARTZ PROJECT - ASS AND HAMMER - SUNHINE SUPERSHITS VOLUME 2

• The Rudy Schwartz Project: Ass And Hammer - Sunhine Supershits Volume 2
      (2025, cdr-on-demand, USA, private release)

Released in January 2025, the Rudy Schwartz Project's "Ass And Hammer - Sunhine Supershits Volume 2" is another brilliant album by Joe Newman.

Otherworldly versions of classic pop tunes, and more.
Brilliant.

Check it out :

Available as a Bandcamp download / streaming album and as a CDR-on-demand (although the latter options might end soon).

BLANCK ZAPPATH IN CONCERT NEXT APRIL

Blanck Zappath, performing the music of Black Sabbath and Frank Zappa

ATHENA JADE GOSSETT & ANDRE CHOLMONDELEY - CAROLINA HARDCORE ECSTASY

'Carolina Hardcore Ecstasy'
by Athena Jade Gossett & Andre Cholmondeley

MARBIN TOURDATES

KIMONO DRAGGIN' HAS A NEW ALBUM OUT !!

 "I Can't Believe It's Not Music"
The brand-new album by Kimono Draggin'

Also check out the 'Willie Get's Tortured'.
Yes, it is what you think it is.

From 2009 already.

GERRY FIALKA'S ZAPPATISTASALON #5

ZappatistaSalon#5 "Frankie with freakin fringe on top - 85 years of The Big Note"

Enter the bizarre world of Gerry Fialka.

TREACHEROUS CRETINS' 2025 ZAPPANALE PERFORMANCE IS UP ON YOUTUBE

For those of you who missed yesterday's premiere:

Treacherous Cretins, featuring Robert Martin
Live at Zappanale 2025

20 YEARS OF STUDIO DAN

Studio Dan celebrated its 20th anniversary at the Porgy & Bess club in Vienna, Austria, earlier this year.

The entire show is up on YouTube.

Scrolling through the show, I stumbled upon a Frank Zappa piece around 1h and 33 minutes into the recording.
Not really a surprise, and (!!) an excellent performance / arrangement of 'Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance', followed by a fine version of 'What's The Ugliest Part Of Your Body?', and more...
A beautiful set of Zappa pieces.

ALEX HARVEY 21 CD BOX SET ANNOUNCED

Announced for next April on the Madfish record label:

A COMPREHENSIVE 21 CD BOXSET OF CONCERT PERFORMANCES FROM THE SCOTTISH LEGENDS, INCLUDES 144-PAGE HARDBACK BOOK, RARE MEMORABILIA, SIGNED BAND PHOTO, REPLICA PROGRAMME + MORE

One of the pieces that's being released on this box is called 'King Kong'.
Not the Zappa piece, but a cover of the Max Steiner piece (for the movie), previously released on Alex Harvey's "Rock Drill" album.

Alex did, however, cover 'Willie The Pimp' on "The Joker Is Wild".

DWEEZIL ZAPPA - DWEEZIL ZAPPA PLAYS APOSTROPHE (') LIVE

• Dweezil Zappa: Apostrophe Live
      (2025, download, --, reward music platform) 

This might just be the best release of 2025.
Dweezil Zappa with his Zappa Plays Zappa band in concert in 2010.
Performing the entire "Apostrophe (')" album.
Featuring FZ as an on-screen special guest on 'Cosmik Debris', and featuring George Duke as special guest on 'Uncle Remus'.

It doesn't get much better than this.

I watched the concert video yesterday. Completely overwhelmed...
Today, I enjoyed one of the bonus videos (the Thomag Nordegg interview). Very nice.

Two options: download, or streaming for one week.
I would have preferred a blu-ray, but I guess this download thing will be the future...

MORGAN ÅGREN, JIMMY ÅGREN & TINA AHLEN - - - WATERMELON IN EASTER HAY

Morgan Ågren released this on YouTube when FZ would have turned 80.

Morgan Ågren (drums), Jimmy Ågren (guitar), and Tina Ahlin (harmonica).

A beautiful performance of one of FZ's signature pieces.

JAKE REICHBART - - - VILLAGE OF THE SUN

'Village of the Sun' (Frank Zappa)
solo fingerstyle guitar
by Jake Reichbart

ALLMAN BETTS FAMILY REVIVAL + AMANDA PEARL SHIRES + DWEEZIL ZAPPA

Allman Betts Family Revival + Amanda Pearl Shires + Dweezil Zappa

“Whipping Post” 12/20/25 LA, CA

The Allman Betts Family Revival is an annual concert tour led by Devon Allman and Duane Betts, sons of Allman Brothers legends Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts;
They performed in L.A. on the 20th of December.

ALIENO DEBOOTES' FZBBQ EPISODE 16

Bootes Invisible Radio - FZBBQ 2025 - The Dynamite Show episode 16

A NEW PIECE BY EIDON

'Solo un momento'
by Eidon

 

NEWS FROM TREACHEROUS CRETINS

A message from Treacherous Cretins

Alreety alrighty hey… welcome to the Winter news.

2026 Dates Announced!

We are pleased to announce our dates for 2026. We’ll be back once again to deliver a dynamite show celebrating the work of Frank Zappa.

2026 marks 60 years since the release of Frank’s debut album with The Mothers of Invention, Freak Out! In the 27-year career that followed, Frank’s prolific output totalled 62 albums, with dozens more released posthumously since his passing in 1993.

The Conceptual Continuity Tour promises to celebrate the depth and breadth of Frank’s vast body of work, with the Cretins crafting a setlist that takes the audience through every era of his sound — from the late‑1960s psychedelic Mothers of Invention to the progressive, politically charged material from his final 1988 tour. Expect your favourite Zappa classics, plus a generous helping of deep cuts — including tracks never before performed live, even by Zappa himself.

Dates:

• 25th May - LONDON - The Lexington
• 26th May - BIRMINGHAM - Hare & Hounds
• 27th May - NEWCASTLE - The Cluny
• 28th May - SHEFFIELD - Sidney & Matilda
• 29th May - CARDIFF - The Earl Haig
• 30th May - BRIGHTON - The Brunswick
• 20th June - TAVISTOCK - The Wharf

Germany: Heubacher Zappa Nacht

We are delighted to have been invited to perform at the last ever Heubacher Zappa Nacht in October, alongside another great Zappa band: The Dangerous Kitchen.

It’s currently our only foray into Germany in 2026, so it would be wonderful to see as many of our German friends (and those from further afield) as possible.

🎃 Halloween 2026

We will be playing three Haloween shows in October. It has become a staple of the Treacherous Cretins calendar and we can't wait to do it again next year, and we are delighted to bringing the show back to the world famous Cavern Club in Liverpool.

• 27th October - LIVERPOOL - The Cavern Club
• 30th October - WINCHESTER - The Railway
• 31st October - LONDON - The Finsbury

Happy birthday: Zappadan - Zappanale performance premier!

Tonight (Sunday 21st December) at 8:30 pm UK time we will be premiering the video of our Zappanale show perfomed earlier this year. Join us on our YouTube channel, get on the chat with fellow Zappa fans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvH7qDtQ0bc

It has become an annual event for us to celebrate Frank's birthday and the end of Zappadan. We started the tradition in 2020 during lockdown celebrating what would have been FZ's 80th... so let's celebrate his 85th!

We absolutely loved performing in Germany. Perfect summer vibes surrounded by so many of our friends - it was the most recent gig we played with Robert, so is especially poignant for us all in light of his recent health issues.

We hope you can join us for our virtual gig tonight, celebrate FZ's birthday and relive the Zappanale concert!

And finally…

We’ve had a wonderful 2025. Thank you again for all your support. We love playing this music, and it’s only possible because of you.

ANDREAS RAUSCH

 Checking out the latest entry in the Lambiek Comiclopedia !

"Andreas Rausch"

(by Kjell Knudde)

https://www.lambiek.net/artists/r/rausch_andreas.htm

PHILIP SANDERSON'S RESIDENTS TRIBUTE

A tribute to The Residents, by Philip Sanderson.
Out on CD, on the Klanggalerie record label.

"From a secret mountain top location a number of tracks by the Residents were broadcast into the far reaches of outer space with the hope that they might be received and understood by an Interplanetary Intelligence (IPI). As the tracks traveled across space and time the signals collided and combined with other musical broadcasts: opera, swing, fuzz rock, barbershop, etc till by the time the broadcast was received it was a veritable Shark Fin Soup – a mutant musical cornucopia played in ways even the Residents might not expect. The whole thing was reflected back to earth and captured one night on short wave by Philip Sanderson (Snatch Tapes/Storm Bugs). The tracks were then dis-arranged and with the help of the The Snatch Tapes Swingers, The Brontochorus and not least Chef D’Orchestre Arthur Ingot put down on disc for your listening pleasure."

SOFT MACHINE'S "MAN IN A DEAF CORNER" ANTHOLOGY GETS A RE-ISSUE

Originally released in 2001, the "Man In A Deaf Corner" Soft Machine anthology 2 CD set is getting a re-issue on the Floating World record label.

DWEEZIL ZAPPA PLAYS ZAPPA

 A message from Dweezil:

Hello Everyone,

Happy Holidays! I have something very special to share with you. One of the greatest experiences I've ever had playing my dad's music on stage was back in 2010 and it was captured on video. It's finally available for you to see and hear.

Frank Zappa’s Apostrophe (’) — his first gold record and the biggest commercial success of his career, reaching the Top 10 on the Billboard 200 — has become one of the defining albums in his entire catalog. It was my favorite as kid and Nanook's fur‑trapping saga and the wild intervallic leaps of "St. Alfonzo's Pancake Breakfast" imprinted on me in a way that few records ever have. Showcasing my dad's fearless guitar work, brilliant arrangements, and sharp humor, Apostrophe is the ultimate gateway into the world of ZAPPA music.

Now, for the first time, you can experience a full live performance of Apostrophe (’) as a concert event from my band.

https://www.dweezilzappa.com/concert

ROBIN VERHEYEN - LIFTOFF

 Kicking off the the day with Robin Verheyen's "Liftoff" album.

• Robin Verheyen: tenor and soprano saxophone
• Drew Gress: double bass
• Billy Hart: drums

Vibrant and energetic.

EMMA RAWICZ - INKYRA

• Emma Rawicz: Inkyra
  

      (2025, cd, --, act 8018-2)

It's only a couple of days ago that I mentioned Emma Rawicz, sharing the YouTube video of a concert she did with Gwilym Simcock, as well as linking it to the YT concert recording of The Lovers Of Invention.
And yesterday, I got notified that Emma has a new album out: "Inkyra".

Beautiful.
Featuring Emma Rawicz (Sax), Gareth Lockrane (Flute, Piccolo), David Preston (Guitar), Scottie Thompson (Keyboards), Kevin Glasgow (Bass), Jamie Murray (Drums), this is an exiting modern jazz album.
I'm very happy with the digital copy that I received.

Recommended listening !!

Here's Emma's discography:

1	Emma Rawicz: Incantation     (2022, cd, --, private release)
2	Emma Rawicz: Chroma     (2023, cd, --, act 9973-2)
3	Emma Rawicz, Gwilym Simcock: Big Visit     (2025, cd, --, act 8014-))
4	Emma Rawicz: Inkyra     (2025, cd, --, act 8018-2)

-- info: Danny Mathys

DR. JOHN - LIVE AT THE VILLAGE GATE

• Dr. John: Live At The Village Gate
  

      (2025, 2cd, USA, omnivore recordings)

The Omnivore Recordings record label has just released "Live At The Village Gate", a 1988 live recording by the late Dr. John.

Beautiful songs, sung with his characteristic rough, raspy voice.
Nice.

The album features Lou Marini (Tenor Sax) and Ronnie Cuber (Baritone Sax), names that we've come across on the "Zappa In New York" album.
Also linked to the Zappa universe: 'Mess Around' was written by J. Stone and Ahmet Ertegun, the latter being the Atlantic Records co-owner and maybe even the inspiration for FZ to name one of his kids Ahmet.

https://omnivorerecordings.com/shop/live-at-the-village-gate/

-- info: Danny Mathys

"FRANK ZAPPA'S BIRTHDAY" WILL BE CELEBRATED AT BURGERS IN EINDHOVEN, NL

Sunday, December 21, 2025
at 'Burgers' in Eindhoven, NL

 

ZAPPA & CO - - - DECEMBER 20, 2025 - - - IN HAMM, GERMANY

Zappa & Co am 20.12.2025 in Hamm, Germany

The Hamm Municipal Music School invites you to its musical end-of-year concert at the Kurhaus Hamm on 20 December 2025. Four large ensembles – the symphony orchestra, the wind orchestra (SBO), the Galaxy Guitar Unit and the Zappa Orchestra Hamm – will join forces to create an evening that showcases the diversity of the music school.
While the first part of the concert will present the wide range of classical and contemporary music with Georges Bizet's ‘Carmen’ in the version by Rodion Shchedrin and other contributions from the various ensembles, the second part will focus on a special theme: the music of Frank Zappa.
The Zappa Orchestra Hamm, which has attracted attention far beyond the city limits since its founding in 2015, once again brings the musical world of Frank Zappa to the stage – powerful, humorous, moving and unique in its sonic impact. The programme is complemented by energetic funk and jazz influences from Cory Wong and Prince.
As in 2023, dancers from the music school will accompany selected pieces with choreography. The combination of a large ensemble, unusual repertoire and dance interpretation makes this part of the concert a highlight of the evening – and a format that is rarely experienced in this form.

In 2025, Hamm will celebrate 50 years as a city – and the concert evening will bring this special year to a festive musical close. Shortly before Christmas, the music school will present the city with the premiere of the new Hamm song by composer Tjark Baumann, which was written for the two city anniversaries in 2025 and 2026. The song has been rehearsed and recorded since August by numerous students and teachers from the music school. It will be released in early 2026, accompanied by a specially produced video by Enrico Taubmann. A touching tribute to the city and its people.
More than 180 performers from the music school's four ensembles will take to the stage together on this evening. The mix of classical, rock, jazz and funk creates an extraordinary setting for a concert that, shortly before Christmas, once again shows how lively and diverse the music scene in Hamm is.
With a varied programme, strong musical accents and an energetic finale, the music school sends its audience into the Christmas holidays with good feelings. The concert begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are available in advance at the Kurhaus, at the WA, at the Insel am Bahnhof and at the box office for €15 regular and €8 reduced.

HARDY FOX

 It looks like PBA Galleries in San Francisco has items from Hardy Fox up for auction.

Go to "https://pbagalleries.com/"
and search for "Residents" and "Hardy Fox".

JEFF MORIS TEPPER HAS A NEW ALBUM OUT

Sure, it has been a while since his days with Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band, but Jeff Moris Tepper is still making music.

His latest album is called "A Hand Carved Life".

According to my data, his (solo) discography looks like this:

1	Moris Tepper: Big Enough To Disappear     (1994, cd, USA, candlebone records / proper records)     (2024, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)
2	Eggtooth: Sundowner     (1995, cd, Japan, polystar records)     (2024, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)
*	Moris Tepper: Moris Tepper     (1995, cd ep promo, UK, smash corp tep a)
3	Moris Tepper: Moth To Mouth     (2001, cd, USA, candlebone records)     (2024, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)
4	Moris Tepper: Head Off     (2004, cd, USA, candlebone records)     (2024, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)
5	Moris Tepper: Stingray In The Heart     (2008, cd, USA, candlebone records)     (2024, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)
6	Moris Tepper: A Singer Named Shotgun Throat     (2010, cd, USA, candlebone records)     (2024, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)
7	Moris Tepper: Building A Nest     (2024, cd, USA, la societé expéditionnaire)     (2024, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)
8	Moris Tepper: A Hand Carved Life     (2025, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)

THE LOVERS OF INVENTION

The Lovers Of Invention

will be performing at Hootananny Brixton,
support act Gabba Zappa Hey,
Thursday, December 18, 2025

Here's the concert recording from 2024 :

• Ben Vize on keyboards, backing vocals and arrangements
• Jonah Hitchens - Guitar and lead vocals
• Adam Chinery - Lead guitar and backing vocals
• James Larter - Electronic Vibraphone
• Emma Rawicz-Szczerbo - Tenor saxophone and flute
• James Wade-Sired - Trombone
• Flo Moore - Bass
• Zoe Pascal - Drums

EMMA RAWICZ & GWILYM SIMCOCK

Emma Rawicz & Gwilym Simcock

2024 06 28
Jazz Baltica

RICHARD HEMMINGS / EVIL DICK / BREAKFAST CLUB IMPROV BAND

Richard Hemmings / Evil Dick / Breakfast Club Improv band

from the upcoming "IMPOSITIONS Vol. 2" album.

FAST & BULBOUS

Fast & Bulbous will do a Frank Zappa tribute concert in Chieti, Italy, on the 21st of December !

Formed in 1991, Fast & Bulbous released ‘Memorial Barbecue’, their tribute to the music of Frank Zappa, in 1997.

Between 1997 and 2000, Fast & Bulbous participated in the most important festivals dedicated to FZ's music in Italy and Germany.

In 1999, a track from their album was included in the compilation ‘Frank you, thank! vol. 1’.

In 2003, a second (unreleased) track was included in volume 2 of ‘Frank you, thank!’

Starting from a reinterpretation of Zappa's music, Fast & Bulbous move towards a personal sound, crossing genres and languages in the original spirit of the master, moving far away from the typical imitative intentions of cover/tribute bands.

VARIOUS ARTISTS - W.E.R.F. RECORDS - 2025 WRAPPED

"2025 Wrapped", a fine way to check out the different releases on the Belgian W.E.R.F. Records label.

FIDO PLAYS ZAPPA TOURDATES

THE ZAPPANALE ADVENT CALENDAR

Check out the Zappanale's advent calendar for some concert recordings or previous Zappanale concerts, as broadcast by Rockradio.

https://www.zappanale.de/en/adventskalender-2025

and, in the meantime, take note of the 2026 festival date !

ZAPPAROSSA #2

Dates have been set for the second edition of the Zapparossa festival.

11-13 September 2026
Gelnhausen, Germany

CRANK SOME FRANK

Next Sunday, in The Hague / Den Haag, NL.
at the Musicon:

"Crank Some Frank"
Celebrating the music of Frakn Zappa.

A little festival, featuring Fred Händl and the Absolutely Frank band.

The ArF duo will not be happening, but there will be a replacement.

SPINIFEX UPDATE

Avant-garde jazz sextet Spinifex celebrates their 20th anniversary in 2025/2026, marking the milestone with a special project and album called Maxximus, featuring guest musicians for an expanded, acoustic sound, continuing their legacy of boundary-pushing improvisation that started with their 10th anniversary in 2015.

20 years and 10 albums !!

1	Spinifex Orchestra: Triodia     (2008, cd)
2	Spinifex: Hipsters Gone Ballistic     (2013, cd)
3	Spinifex: Veiled     (2015, cd)
4	Spinifex: Maximus     (2015, cd)
5	Spinifex: Amphibian Ardour     (2018, cd)
6	Spinifex: Soufifex     (2019, cd)
7	Spinifex: Spinifex Beats The Plague     (2021, cd)
8	Spinifex: Spinifex Sings     (2022, cd)
9	Spinifex: Undrilling The Hole     (2024, cd The Netherlands, trytone tt559-103)
10	Spinifex: Maxximus     (2025, cd, The Netherlands, trytone tt559-114)

The band recently performed at The Plusetage in Baarle Nassau, NL, which allowed me to complete the discography with the latest two albums: "Undrilling The Hole", and "Maxximus". Notice the double 'X' in the latter to emphasize the 20th anniversary.

Spinifex = Tobias Klein (bass clarinet/alto sax), Bart Maris (trumpet), John Dikeman (tenor sax), Jasper Stadhouders (guitar), Gonçalo Almeida (double bass), Philipp Moser (drums)/
The extended line-up for "Maxximus": Jessica Pavone (viola), Elisabeth Coudoux (cello) , and Evi Filippou ( vibraphone/percussion).

Salome Amend replaced Evi Filippou for the Baarle Nassau concert, doing an excellent job.

It doesn't get much better than this !
Check it out !!

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STÉPHANE GALLAND - KANDA

• Stéphane Galland: Kanda
      (2025, cd, The Netherlands, challenge records)

For his latest project, Stéphane Galland is collaborating with Lúcia Pires (flute, EWI & electronics) and Louise van den Heuvel (bass & chompi).

I picked up the album after the CD release concert at De Singel in Antwerp a couple of days ago.
The concert was excellent, and the CD is even better.

In the liner notes, Stéphane explains Kanda:

It is the foundational pulse from which our music grows, a sacred space where three distinct voices meet in a common exploration.
adding
Our collaboration is a celebration of symbiotic differences: a trio spanning nations, generations, and roles, united by a shared curiosity for rhythm's infinite possibilities. This diversity is our strength. It si why we delve into uneven time signatures, polyrhythms, and morphing grooves, weaving in electronics and textures to mirror the complex, rich tapestry of human connection in sound.

The result can be enjoyed in 7 fascinating pieces.
It's quite a funny contradiction: the music is rhythmically complex, yet it has a calming and relaxing effect. At least, that's how I experience it.

Beautiful !!
Here's a live session from a earlier this year :

"Kanda" is released on the Dutch Challenge Records label.
https://www.challengerecords.com/products/17581870284769/kanda

BERLINDE DEMAN - PLANK 9

• Berlinde Deman: Plank 9
      (2025, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)
      (2025, cd, USA, relative pitch records)

Being a music lover, I consider myself very fortunate to live in Belgium.
We still have a lively music scene, and when bands tour, as Belgium isn't that large, we get several opportunities to see them.

Just to give you an example, we caught the Flat Earth Society Orchestra twice this month. Once celebrating the 20th anniversary of Michel Mast's Ham Sessions festival in Ghent, and a second time in 'De Kern', a fine cultural center in Wilrijk nearby Antwerp.

Flat Earth Society (FES) is led by Peter Vermeersch and includes a colourful assortment of excellent musicians. One of these is Berlinde Deman.
Berlinde plays the bass tuba and is a indispensable factor in the rolling train that is FES.

In October, Berlinde released her first solo album, "Plank 9", on which she features the Serpent, a 16th century musical instrument that produces beautiful deep sounds.
It shows a completely different side of Berlinde.

Using the Serpent, her voice, and some effect pedals, Berlinde succeeds in creating a world in which light and darkness move alongside each other. Cautious, hesitant, slowly moving. Love it.

Recommended listening !

PRINCE - CHAMELEON 1-10

• Prince: Chameleon 1-10
      (2025, 10 cd bootleg box, --, playtime records)

The "Chameleon" series is a set of Prince bootleg albums that exist on vinyl and on CD.
I'm quite happy with this recent re-release that collects all 10 volumes in one box set.

Demos, outtakes, remixes, you name it...
A pretty amazing collection.
If you're into Prince, try to find this set !
Nice artwork as well.

I've only listened to the first disc so far.
Must have listened to it eight times already  :-)

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If you're looking for rare Prince material / downloads, visit the Guitars101 forum.

MEN & VOLTS - CHEER UP

David Greenberger keeps releasing music from the Men & Volts archives.
Here's the "Cheer Up EP".

 

ED PALERMO'S CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR

 

NEKTAR'S "FORTIFIED" ALBUM GETS A RE-MASTERED RE-RELEASE

From GlassOnyon PR

Nektar’s "Fortyfied" Receives Definitive Re-Mastered Re-Release After Being Unavailable for 15 Years

Nektar formed in Hamburg in 1969 and is well known for iconic progressive rock albums such as A Tab in the Ocean, Remember The Future and Recycled. After four decades of successful albums and tours, the band reformed to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Nektar’s formation.

The tour was recorded and released under the name Fortyfied. This live album was only briefly available on Roye Albrighton’s own label but has been unavailable for over 15 years. This is the first mainstream release of the recordings.

This re-mastered 2CD set features a line-up of Roye Albrighton, Ron Howden, Peter Pichl and Klaus Henatsch. This remastered re-release is endorsed by the relevant line-up of Nektar including the estate of Roye Albrighton.

GOOSE EUROPEAN TOUR ANNOUNCED

Goose have announced a European tour in spring 2026. After crossing the US with their recently unveiled spring tour and returning to Mexico for their second annual Viva El Gonzo destination festival, the indie-jam quartet will cross the ocean for eight stagings from May 22 to June 3.

Goose will embark on their new European tour with two nights at London’s Electric Brixton on May 22 and 23. From this kickoff, the band will jump to Brussels for a May 25 engagement at La Madeleine, followed by another double-header at Amsterdam’s Melkweg on May 27 and 28. The inexhaustible quartet will race to Cologne, Germany’s Bürgerhaus Stollwerck for a show on May 30, then stride into the summer with a June 1 stand at Paris’ Élysée-Montmartre before returning to Germany for a show at Berlin’s Festsaal Kreuzberg on June 3. Goose’s European sojourn will come to a close on June 5 with a set at Aarhus, Denmark’s Northside Festival.

-- info: Philippe Lamoot

CHATO UPDATE

A message from CHATO :

Here are all the last gigs of the year: 

12/12 - (Today) - Zapped - Concrete Jungle Jazz Club in Büchenbach, Germany
(sold out, but YouTube livestream)

13/12 - (Tomorrow) Jupiter Orbit Escape (duo version), Sing-in Badstraße 8 in Fürth

20/12 - Matt Craft, KI in Greven (near Münster) 

Ten years ago, I started playing bass with Matt's blues rock trio (Hendrix style). Since the band is based in Bremen and I've been living in Bavaria for a few years now, this will be my last gig with Matt, simply because we now live too far apart (I used to live/study in Osnabrück). So if you live nearby, feel free to check it out and, ideally, get a ticket in advance – the organiser will be delighted.

Best regards,
Chato

PAT PATRICK AND THE BARITONE SAXOPHONE RETINUE

The late Pat Patrick (1929 - 1991) was an American baritone saxophone player who performed and recorded with Sun Ra.
He released one album.

• Pat Patrick & The Baritone Saxophone Retinue: Sound Advice
      (1977, lp, USA, el saturn records) – incl. ‘East Of Uz’ (Sun Ra)

Originally released in 1977, "Sound Advice" would get an LP and CD reissue in 2015 on the Art Yard label.

NEW RELEASE FROM HANS ANNELLSSON

"Zenotation"
new album by Hans Annellsson

MORGAN ÅGREN RELEASED A REMASTERED VERSION OF HIS "BATTERIE DELUXE" ALBUM

A message from Morgan Ågren !

Hey all! My upcoming solo album "Sorry I'm Late, I Saw a Dog" WILL finally be released a few months into 2026, can't wait, SUPER EXCITED!!! 

In the meantime, here is a new version of my debut Batterie Deluxe, remastered a few days ago, w. greeeeat sound!!! Really wanted to do a remaster of this. The order of the songs has been changed too. (Hard copies will be available in a few weeks months too) MERRY X-MAS ALL ! ! Cheers / Morgan

NEW ALBUM BY RUDY TROUVÉ

"The Rudy Trouvé Septet And Solo - 2009-2025".

Out on LP & Bandcamp.

EVIL DICK ANNOUNCED A NEW ALBUM

Evil Dick says:
Coming very soon!!! Here's the first taster:

 

SUN RA SILKSCREEN PRINT

Available from:

https://sunrastrut.bandcamp.com/merch/cosmo-dream-sun-ra-silk-screen-prints-limited-edition

SATCHVAI BAND TO TOUR NORTH AMERICA SPRING 2026

The wait is over, North America! 💥⏰
The SATCHVAI Band is thrilled to announce their upcoming North America “Surfing With The Hydra” tour with special guest Animals As Leaders , kicking off Spring 2026! But that’s not all — Joe and Steve have new music coming March 2nd with a brand new collaboration, “Dancing”. 🎸
Tickets and exclusive VIP package pre-sale begins Wednesday, December 10th with general on-sale Friday, December 12th at 10:00am local time at satchvaiband.com

• Apr 01, 2026 - Seattle, WA - Paramount Theater
• Apr 02, 2026- Portland, OR - Arlene Schnitzer
• Apr 04, 2026 - Oakland, CA - Fox Theater
• Apr 05, 2026 - Reno, NV - Grand Sierra Resort and Casino
• Apr 07, 2026 - Long Beach, CA - Long Beach Terrace Theater
• Apr 08, 2026 - San Diego, CA - CalCoast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
• Apr 10, 2026 - Mesa, AZ - Mesa Amphitheatre
• Apr 11, 2026 - Las Vegas, NV - The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
• Apr 14, 2026 - Denver, CO - Mission Ballroom
• Apr 16, 2026 - Houston, TX - 713 Music Hall
• Apr 17, 2026 - Dallas, TX - Music Hall
• Apr 18, 2026 - Austin, TX - ACL Live at The Moody Theater
• Apr 20, 2026 - Mobile, AL - Saenger Theatre
• Apr 22, 2026 - Pompano Beach, FL - Pompano Beach Amphitheater
• Apr 24, 2026 - Clearwater, FL - The BayCare Sound
• Apr 25, 2026 - St. Augustine, FL - Saint Augustine Amphitheatre
• Apr 26, 2026 - Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Live Orlando
• Apr 27, 2026 - Atlanta, GA - Atlanta Symphony Hall
• Apr 29, 2026 - Charlotte, NC - Ovens Auditorium
• Apr 30, 2026 - Durham, NC - Durham Performing Arts Center
• May 02, 2026 - Minneapolis, MNState Theatre
• May 03, 2026 - Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre
• May 05, 2026 - Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theater 
• May 07, 2026 - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium 
• May 08, 2026 - Cincinatti, OH - PNC Pavilion at Riverbend Music Center 
• May 09, 2026 - Indianapolis, IN - Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park 
• May 10, 2026 - St. Louis, MO - The Factory 
• May 12, 2026Buffalo, NY - Kleinhans Music Hall
• May 13, 2026 - Toronto, ON CA - Meridian Hall 
• May 15, 2026 - Northfield, OH - MGM Northfield Park
• May 16, 2026 - Rochester Hills, MI - Meadow Brook Ampitheatre 
• May 17, 2026 - Syracuse, NY - Landmark Theatre 
• May 20, 2026 - Boston, MA - Leader Bank Pavilion
• May 21, 2026 - Albany, NY - Palace Theatre 
• May 22, 2026 - Waterbury, NY - Waterbury Palace Theater 
• May 23, 2026 - Virginia Beach, VA - The Dome
• May 27, 2026 - Reading, PA - Santander Performing Arts Center 
• May 28, 2026 - New York, NY - Beacon Theatre
• May 29, 2026 - Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata Resort and Spa Casino 
• May 30, 2026 - Vienna, VA - Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts

BEAT TO TOUR EUROPE NEXT SUMMER

BEAT is proud to announce that we are bringing the 1980’s music of King Crimson to Europe in the summer of 2026!

Tickets for most shows go on sale to the public this Friday, December 12th (check with venues for dates and time).

TICKETS: BEAT-tour.com

08/06 London, UK @ Eventim Apollo
10/06 Paris, France @ Olympia
11/06 Dusseldorf, Germany @ Mitsubishi Electric Hall
13/06 Strasbourg, France @ Palais des Congres
14/06 Hamburg, Germany @ Stadtpark
15/06 Berlin, Germany @ Uber Eats Music Hall
16/06 Aarhus, Denmark @ Musikhuset
19/06 Munich, Germany @ Tollwood Festival
20/06 Vienna, Austria @ Wiener Stadthalle
23/06 Brussels, Belgium @ Cirque Royal
24/06 Tilburg, Netherlands @ 013
26/06 Madrid, Spain @ TBA
28/06 Barcelona, Spain @ TBA
30/06 Gardone Riviera, Italy @ Festival del Vittoriale Tener-a-mente
02/07 Pompei, Italy @ Amphitheatre of Pompeii
03/07 Bari, Italy @ Fiera del Levante
04/07 Perugia, Italy @ Umbria Jazz – Arena Santa Giuliana
06/07 Udine, Italy @ Castello di Udine
07/07 Zagreb, Croatia @ SRC Salata
09/07 Sofia, Bulgaria @ NDK Hall 1
11/07 Istanbul, Turkey @ Harbiye Cernil Topuzlu Open Air Theatre
13/07 Bucharest, Romania @ Arenele Romane’s Tent
15/07 Budapest, Hungary @ Barba Negra Music Stage

-- info: Philippe Lamoot

GOV'T MULE'S NEW YEARS RUN 2025

ARTHUR BARROW

Arthur Barrow keeps on adding music to his Bandcamp page.

Here's the previously unreleased 'Alexandria':

A couple of weeks ago, Arthur also added 'Channel Frank'.
From his 1999 "On Time" album.

Arthur added:
I wrote this shortly after Frank Zappa passed away. It is a tribute to the great composer. I was honored to play in his band and record with him.

UNMATCHED

Caballero Reynaldo's Producciones Psicotropicas has made the entire Unmatched series available on Bandcamp.

26 volumes of amazing music.

https://unmatched.bandcamp.com/music

A NEW PIECE BY EIDON

'Deux Petits Rien'
by Eidon

ROBBIE SEAHAG MANGANO - SHUT UP, DON'T WORRY (SAL)

Just in time for Christmas.

Robbie Seahag Mangano (with Adam Minkoff): 'Shut Up, Don't Worry (Sal)'

THE IMPERIAL TIGER ORCHESTRA

Check out the latest release by the Imperial Tiger Orchestra.
Out on the Les Disques Bongo Joe label.

YĪN YĪN

YĪN YĪN has announced "Yatta" for January.
Pre-orders (and teasers) are on Bandcamp.

MARK WINGFIELD'S "ELEMENTAL" IS OUT

The download / streaming version of Mark Wingfield's "Elemental" album has just been released. 

If you're into instrumental guitar music, check this out:

There's also a limited CD release, in collaboration with the MoonJune Records label.

200 MOTELS PERFORMANCE IN GENEVA WILL FEATURE MIKE KENEALLY

 And even more news from Mike Keneally:

200 MOTELS in GENEVA in JUNE 2026

I’m also immensely grateful to have been invited to perform Frank Zappa’s 200 Motels in Geneva next year, as a special guest with the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, the Chœur du Grand Théâtre de Genève, the HEM percussion ensemble, and a fantastic organ/bass/drums trio called Steamboat Switzerland – myself and Steamboat will be the “rock band” for this presentation, and it’s gonna kill.

This is the version of 200 Motels that was originally performed at the Holland Festival in 2000, a legendary performance, and one which I believe incorporates much of the writing that wasn’t heard in the original soundtrack album, but which was later released on the 200 Motels: The Suites 2-CD release in 2015 (an album I really love – the version of “The Pleated Gazelle” on that album is one of my favorite recordings of Zappa music ever).

It’s happening at the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices on the following days and times:

• June 18 and 20, 2026 – 8PM
• June 21 and 28, 2026 – 3PM
• June 23 and 25*, 2026 – 7PM (*Glam Night)

The 25th is Glam Night! You gotta come on that night and get all fancied up! See you there. Here’s all the info.

https://www.gtg.ch/en/2025-2026-season/200-motels/

MORE NEWS FROM MIKE KENEALLY WHO WILL BE TOURING WITH EDDIE JOBSON NEXT YEAR

 More news from Mike Keneally's recent newsletter !

EDDIE JOBSON/U.K REVISITED in JAPAN and on CRUISE TO THE EDGE

Eddie Jobson: keyboards
Mike Keneally: guitar
Marc Bonilla: bass and vocal
Marco Minnemann: drums

• Feb. 24, 2026 — Billboard Live, Tokyo
• Feb. 25, 2026 — Billboard Live, Yokohama
• Feb. 26, 2026 — Billboard Live, Tokyo
• Feb. 27, 2026 — Billboard Live, Osaka

Not sure where the optimum ticket links to these Japan gigs are, but with a little poking around I’m sure you can find them.

Rehearsal with Eddie and Marc a few weeks ago was fantastic fun. Learning all of the Holdsworth parts from the debut U.K. has been brutally challenging, but hugely rewarding – it feels amazing to get these iconic parts under my fingers, and I can feel that it’s already had an extremely positive effect on my playing in general. I’m starting to feel like a real grown-up guitarist!

We’re also playing on Cruise to the Edge in March:

Cruise to the Edge Miami – Key West – Nassau March 4-9, 2026 (booking info is here.)

This will be my first time on the cruise in four years. I had the best time in 2022 and am really excited to be back on the boat with so many amazing acts (including Marillion, Steve Hackett, Big Big Train, Adrian Belew, Lifesigns, Stick Men, Pete Roth Trio featuring Bill Bruford, and a whole bunch more greatness). We’re playing two sets during the cruise, don’t know which days exactly yet, but the schedule will be announced at some point. See you on the boat!

The music on the original U.K. albums was a major component of my formative musical years; I really love these songs and it’s an incredible honor to have been invited by Eddie to play them with him and this fantastic band.

LISA LOEB - THE UNDERDOG E.P.

• Lisa Loeb: The Underdog EP
      (2002, cd ep, USA, artemis records)

Here's a nice little thing from a bit over 20 years ago: Lisa Loeb's "The Underdog EP".
Released in a limited (and numbered) edition of 1000 copies.
Four tracks, one of which was co-written by Dweezil Zappa, and three out of the four tracks were produced by Lisa Loeb and Dweezil Zappa.

Not on this album, and even a bit older: 'Let's Forget About It'.

RESIDENTS UPDATE

The Residents' newsletter:

Festive greetings from the increasingly overcrowded shared desk of The Cryptic Corporation and New Ralph Too!

You probably know that this is a time of year when The Residents tend to become nostalgic and sentimental, which isn't usually their way. Well, this year is no different - the guys are currently warm and safe, and lost in the latter half of the 1970s as they work on their forthcoming 'Eskimo' live show, which will surely be coming to a town near you over the next few months (check residents.com for dates). It's sure to be a HIT everywhere it plays, and there'll be a handful of newly written pieces of music in the mix too. They just can't resist, can they?

But today's BIG news is the announcement of a 3CD 'Evolution Edition' 'Animal Lover' release, which has been some time in the making. This one sees a slightly different approach to a pREServed release, being that the album itself had a very different gestation from any other Residents record - three or four years in the making, and mutating across several ideas and titles, the album is seen by The Residents as a sister set to 'Demons Dance Alone', and this 'Evolution Edition' tells that story, all the way from its 2001 origins. Containing over forty previously unheard demos, alternate versions and abandoned songs, and all pulled together by RENALDO M and CARLA FABRIZIO, it's everything an 'Animal Lover' fan could wish for and more.

For the collectors among you, The Residents have also provided us with some ridiculously rare collectables which will be given away to randomly selected mail order customers. Your chance to BUY AND WIN OR DIE! You can check it all out and pre-order HERE
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/the-residents-animal-lover-evolution-edition-3cd-box-set, and there's a taster track on this month's giveaway mini-album thing.

Meanwhile, The Residents continue to work on their next magnum opus album, as well as overseeing a forthcoming Bandcamp site which, we're told, will be packed with previously unheard goodies, old rarities you may have missed, curios, weird shit and everything else you'd expect from them. It's sure to be a lot of fun, but until then please accept something the guys are calling 'Things To Come Pt 2' (you may remember the original 2009 release). In there you'll find a taster or two from the forthcoming 'Animal Lover' set, a few things that will appear on the Bandcamp site, and maybe even some stuff they just found lying around on an old hard-drive and thought you might enjoy... As we all know, The Residents are givers not takers, lovers not fighters, and you can find the latest evidence of that right HERE:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/0tlow6wv8f14rrmj8tth2/AOt1_jfKrSea-MLWGoWYiJU

Please enjoy (no obligation), have a great Festivus/Christmas/Yule/Whatever, stay hydrated and we'll see you on the other side.

Your pals,
All at NRT & TCC

MIKE KENEALLY & BEER FOR DOLPHINS TO PERFORM AT THE BAKED POTATO IN JANUARY

A message from Mike Keneally

MK/BFD at the BAKED POTATO in LA on JANUARY 20/21, 2026

We’re coming back! The BFD quartet (me, Bryan Beller, Rick Musallam, Joe Travers) are returning to the Baked Potato January 20 and 21. These are immediately before the beginning of the NAMM Show in Anaheim, so if you happen to be in SoCal around then for NAMM-ish activities, you ought to come see us play.

Two sets each night! Here are the ticket links (replete with some really exciting misspellings of nearly all of the band members – part of the charm of this venue for decades now):

https://www.thebakedpotato.com/events/mike-keneally-beer-for-dolphins-january-20-2026/

https://www.thebakedpotato.com/events/mike-keneally-beer-for-dolphins-january-21-2026/

EUGENE CHADBOURNE & JIMMY CARL BLACK - THE JACK AND JIM SHOW - JACK AND JIM PLAY THE MUSIC OF FRANK ZAPPA

• Eugene Chadbourne & Jimmy Carl Black:
  The Jack And Jim Show – Jack And Jim Play The Music Of Frank Zappa
      (2002, cdr, Germany, inkanish records)

I somehow missed this when it got released back in 2002. Glad to have found a copy.

“Jack And Jim Play The Music Of Frank Zappa” was the third release in a series of tributes by Jack and Jim.
The first one was “Pachuco Cadaver”, the tribute to Captain Beefheart, and the second one was “Reflections And Experiences Of Jimi Hendrix”.

[1] from the “The Taste Of The Leftovers” CD,
recorded in Italy and Slovenia in 1995, feat. Sandro Oliva.
[2] from the “Uncle Jimmy’s Master Plan” CD
recorded during 1994-95
[3] from the “The Early Years” CD
[4] from the “Pachuco Cadaver” CD

01. I’m Not Satisfied [1]
02. My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama [3]
03. Mom And Dad [2]
04. Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance [2]
05. Love Of My Life [1]
06. Concentration Moon [2]
07. Lonesome Cowboy Burt [3]
08. Willie The Pimp [4]
09. Trouble Coming Every Day/ Oh No! [3]
10. How Could I Be Such A Fool [1]
11. Help, I’m A Rock [1]

VARIOUS ARTISTS - ART LABOE'S MEMORIES OF EL MONTE

• Various Artists: Art Laboe’s Memories Of El Monte
      (1991, cd, USA, original sound record co)

The “Art Laboe’s Memories Of El Monte” compilation album opened with The Penguins’ ‘Memories Of El Monte’, written by Frank Zappa and Ray Collins.
Released in 1991, and quite a fine collection of songs !

-

SNARKY PUPPY & METROPOLE ORKEST - - - AS YOU ARE BUT NOT AS YOU WERE

Another track from the Snarky Puppy / Metropole Orkest collaboration has been released:

'As You Are But Not As You Were'.

From the "Somni" album.