BAREND TROMP UPDATE

"Odd Time Concepts", the latest album by Barend Tromp is available on Bandcamp.
Check it out !

In 2025, Barend Tromp took a bold leap into rhythmic experimentation with his third album, Odd Time Concepts, released on 7D Media—the U.S.-based label founded by visionary King Crimson alumnus Trey Gunn. Across eleven tracks, the album explores a wide range of time signatures, from the familiar 3/4 to the more adventurous 13/16 and 21/8.

Featuring four drummers, including progressive rock icon Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson, Stick Men), the album also showcases a standout Warr guitar solo by Trey Gunn on the track “Madhuvanti.” Despite its complex structures, Odd Time Concepts remains remarkably accessible, maintaining a strong sense of groove and clarity throughout.

With each new project, Barend Tromp continues to push the boundaries of composition and technique, creating music that is both innovative and emotionally resonant. His fearless approach offers a fresh perspective on contemporary instrumental music, captivating both musicians and listeners alike.”

PSYCHEDLICA

Peter Sijnke (who wrote a book on Frank Zappa in the (Dutch) Rockklassiekers series a little while ago), joined forces with Marcel Koopman to write "Psychedelica", a book about bands that expand awareness.
I haven't read it (yet), but it should include a 16-page article on Captain Beefheart !

 

NEW BANDCAMP RELEASE BY MEN & VOLTS

"Wholesome Guitars Becalm Humans"

 

DWEEZIL ZAPPA AT THE BRIDGE GUITAR FESTIVAL - PART THREE

Sunday, June 1, 2025

Part three - evening session:
Dweezil Zappa & Metropole Orkest

performing the music of Dweezil & Frank Zappa

  Dweezil Zappa: guitar
  The Metropoloe Orkest, cond. Jukka Iisakkila

special guests:
  Zach Tabori: lead vocals

  Kurt Morgan: vocals

1. intro
2. The Adventures Of Dindoo
3. Filthy Habits
4. Echidna's Arf (Of You)
5. The Lost Zappa Song
6. Electric Hoedown
7. Shampoohorn
8. Truth
9. RDNZL
10. Punky's Whips
    
    encores
11. Funky 15
12. Uncle Remusa

It was an excellent show.
No goosebumps or emotional moments (although that might have been caused by the onion/curry soup I  had at noon...), but still an excellent show.
Dweezil used the SG for most pieces and it had a bit of a flat sound which was a pity (in my opinion), but some great solos. 

I've seen YouTube (and other) video recordings of most of the pieces.
Here's a small selection:

'Filthy Habits'

'Echidna's Arf (Of You)'

Re-listening, it shows how spoiled we Zappa fans are.
'Echidna's Arf' performed by a 60-piece orchestra...

'The Lost Zappa Song'

A bit of a strange story when your uncle shows you a melody or chord progression from something he heard over 50 years ago. But it turned into something nice.

'Electric Hoedown'

B-side of a 1986 7".

'Punky's Whips'

With Zach Tabori. WOW !!

The show got recorded, so we'll probably get a broadcast, at least of parts of it.
 

DWEEZIL ZAPPA AT THE BRIDGE GUITAR FESTIVAL - PART TWO

Sunday, June 1, 2025

Part two - morning session:

Frank Scheffer's documentary (from 2002) on Frank Zappa: "Phase II"

Introduction by Frank Scheffer.

We had already seen this excellent documentary, but the Nat Lab in Eindhoven was the perfect location.
Great seats, a huge screen and superb sound,.. plus an introduction by the man himself.

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DWEEZIL ZAPPA AT THE BRIDGE GUITAR FESTIVAL - PART ONE

Sunday, June 1, 2025

Part one - morning session:
Dweezil Zappa interview by Co De Kloet.
Nothing new or shocking, but it was nice.

-

JIM PONS - - - THE LEAVES

Here's a nice piece on The Leaves (& Jim Pons), who also played bass in Frank Zappa's band at a certain moment in time.

https://urbanaspirines.blogspot.com/2025/06/the-leaves-hey-joe-1966-all-good-thats.html

-- link: Jan van Kemenade
 

BETTER RULES FOR THE TRANSPORT OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

Valentina Scheldhofen Ciardelli is asking our support.

She's asking for better rules for the transport of musical instruments.

Read all about it here:

https://www.change.org/p/rules-for-the-transport-of-musical-instruments

Your signature and an optional 3 euro will support this petition !

PANZERBALLETT ON VINYL

Next to the CD edition, Panzerballett's latest album, "Übercde Oeuvre" has also been released on vinyl !!

https://panzerballett.de/product/panzerballett-ubercode-oeuvre-lp/

And so is the band's "Hart Genossen" album. (That's the one with the Zappa Medley(s) on it)
It should be available from the Panzerballett shop real soon.
Or you can already order it from Act Records website
https://www.actmusic.com/en/hart-genossen-von-abba-bis-zappa/ACTLP-9664-1

BAREND TROMP

From 7D Media:

Guitarist/Bassist/Composer Barend Tromp To Release New Album “Odd Time Concepts” on June 6, 2025

Barend Tromp is a guitarist, bassist, and composer from the Netherlands whose music transcends borders and genres. With a background as diverse as his sound, Barend studied classical guitar at the Conservatory of Tilburg and attained a masters in Music Science at the University of Amsterdam. His passion for musical exploration led him to India and across Europe, where he studied the sitar under renowned masters. These influences — from Western classical to Indian raga — deeply inform his bass playing, resulting in a distinctive, genre-defying style.

Blending the rhythmic intricacy of slap bass with melodic and harmonic elements borrowed from guitar and sitar traditions, Barend has developed a voice all his own. In addition to his performance work, he’s a dedicated educator, teaching at various music schools and serving as a long-standing contributor to the Dutch bass magazine De Bassist. He is also the author of two guitar books and the acclaimed two-volume instructional series Next Level Slap Bass, widely respected for its innovative approach.

Barend’s music is as eclectic as it is original — a fusion of jazz, funk, world music, 70s progressive rock, electronic textures, and 20th-century classical influences. Yet, despite the complexity of these elements, his compositions remain grounded in groove and emotional resonance.

In 2021, Barend released his debut solo album Six Against Four, in which he showcases his multi-instrumentalist skills by both writing and performing all parts himself. The following year, his imaginative concept album Juvenile Fish Tales was released by Subcontinental Records (India). Inspired by a childhood book about marine life, the album features eleven instrumental tracks — each representing a different fish — and includes a special guest appearance by legendary American bassist Michael Manring. The project was met with widespread acclaim for its creativity and execution.

In 2025, Barend takes a bold leap into rhythmic experimentation with his third album, Odd Time Concepts, released on 7D Media — a U.S.-based label founded by visionary King Crimson alumnus Trey Gunn. Each of the album’s eleven tracks explores a unique time signature, ranging from familiar meters like 3/4 to more adventurous odd time signatures such as 13/16 and 21/8. Featuring four drummers, including progressive rock icon Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson, Stick Men), the album also includes a standout Warr guitar solo by Trey Gunn on the track “Madhuvanti.” Despite its experimental nature, the album remains accessible — maintaining groove and clarity throughout.

With each project, Barend Tromp continues to push the boundaries of composition and technique, crafting music that is both innovative and deeply expressive. His work resonates with musicians and listeners alike, offering a fresh and fearless perspective on contemporary instrumental music.

Here's 'Calcutta Zoo' from 2020