GENE PRITSKER UPDATE

Gene Pritsker says :

Happy Summer!

I’m about to embark on a crazy busy/fun summer and would love to tell you about it.
On the 12th of July my European organization Eclectic Music eXtravaganza (EMX) performs in Berlin the 1st of 4 concerts of our mini European tour, on which I will premiere many new compositors. Here is the tour rundown:

EMX 2018 European Tour

As mention above on July 12th we play a program at Ballhaus in Berlin, Germany, in a concert called ‘New York Meets Berlin’. We then travel to Italy and perform with the EMX ensemble on July 17th at San Benedetto del Tronto in Abruzzo, Italy on July 18th we perform at the renowned Pescara Jazz Festival in Pescara, Italy, we take a short break and repeat the program on Aug. 3rd at the 2018 Outreach Music Festival in Schwaz, Austria.

The EMX Ensemble is:

Petro Krysa - violin, Franz Hackl - trumpet, Kai Schumacher - piano/synth., Mark Kostab - piano/synth., Gene Pritsker - Guitar/bass, Phil Bernhardt - drums.
With special guests joining us for various concerts including: Christoph Enzel, Michiyo Suzuki, Zachary M. Seely, Michiko Saiki and Roger Trefousse.

NEW ALBUM BY MULATU ASTATKE

"Afro Latin Soul",
on the Strut record label.

SIMON STEENSLAND - FAREWELL TO BRAINS

• simon steensland: a farewell to brains
      (2015, cd, italy, altrock alt046)

Simons Steensland's "A Farewell To Brains" is a Magma-inspired progressive rock album.
Featuring Morgan Agren on the drums and quite a lot of other guests.
I like it.

Data has been added to the United Mutations Archives.

It's out on the Italian AltRock record label, who more recently also released Simon's "25 Years Of Minimum R&B".

MATS / MORGAN UPDATE

• mats / morgan band: live 2014
      (2015, download, --, bandcamp)

• mats / morgan: put another quarter in! (archives vol.1)
      (2015, download, --, bandcamp)

The Mats / Morgan Band discography includes two download-only albums. Both of these got released in March 2015.
As they were never issued on CD, they might have been a bit neglected or overlooked by the fans.
Actually, I just added them to the Mats/Morgan discography over at the United Mutations Archives earlier today.
Anyway, they're (still) over at Bandcamp were you can buy them at your own convenience.

https://morganagren.bandcamp.com/

LA MACCHINA OSSUTA - LA MACCHINA OSSUTA

• la macchina ossuta: la macchina ossuta
      (2001, cdr, italy, private release)

In 1999, Italian band La Macchina Ossuta had contributed their version of Frank Zappa's 'I'm The Slime' to "Frank You, Thank", a Frank Zappa tribute album.
Two years later, in 2001, the band released a promo CDR with 6 tracks. 3 of the tracks had been previously released on EP's or on album. The other 3, however, were unreleased live or studio recordings. Track 2, FZ's 'More Trouble Every Day' was recorded live at Cencio's Club on April 14, 2001.

Info has been added to the United Mutations Archives.

VAN GYSEGEM, JORIS AND DE GROOTE - BOUNDLESS

• paul van gysegem, chris joris, patrick de groote: boundless
      (2017, cd, bel, el negocito records enr065)

Two years ago, the Belgian Negocito record label released two trio concerts by artist, painter, sculptor, double bass player Paul Van Gysegem.
Actually, it was one album that consisted of one CD (Paola Bartoletti, Bart Maris and Paul Van Gysegem) and one DVD (video recording with Giovanni Barcella, Eric Vermeulen and Paul Van Gysegem). Two beautiful concerts in one package.

Last year, Negocito Records added another fine release to Paul Van Gysegem's discography.
This time, the ensemble is made up of percussionist Chris Joris, trumpet player Patrick De Groote and Paul Van Gysegem on double bass.
All three musicians are well-known in the Belgian free jazz / improvised music scene. Paul De Groote even played with Paul Van Gysegem on his "Aorta" album in 1971 !!

For "Boundless", the trio got together for three separate days. One in November 2015, one in May 2016 and one in August 2016.
The result is an impressive, energetic album on which the musicians explore and communicate. Boundless, if I may say so.

Recommended listening.

Available on Bandcamp, but also on CD.
Out on Negocito Records.

ZAPPA NUMBER PLATE

A couple of weeks ago, I received part of my Zappa Movie backer stuff.
I don't remember if I already posted a picture, so here we go.
The t-shirt is nice.
So are the buttons and the number plate.

MATS / MORGAN - LIVE WITH THE NORRLANDSPERAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

• mats / morgan: live with norrlandsperan symphony orchestra
      (2018, download, --, bandcamp)

The latest Mats / Morgan release got recorded in concert with the Norrlandsperan Symphony Orchestra.
Beautiful. Only available on Bandcamp for the moment, but physical copies should appear soon.

Essential listening !!
One of the encores was 'Phylox'. Obviously inspired by the music of Frank Zappa, it even includes a short Zappa lick.

ANOTHER PHI YAAN-ZEK UPDATE

The new Phi Yaan-Zek album, "Reality Is My Play Thing", is also available with a bonus disc.

Digital copies of this bonus disc were sent earlier today so I was able to give it a first listen.
WOW !!

In case you haven't ordered this new 2CD set yet, make sure you go for the bonus (Special Edition Triple CD Set) version.
This is great !!!

Phi Yaan-Zek said :
"This is a 'Lumpy Gravy' style album of new music from the California sessions, weird out-takes, behind-the-scenes interludes and special musical surprises."
And he couldn't be more right.
The "Reality Is My Play Thing" album might be excellent, but the bonus "Play My Strange Thing" album is superb.

DEUS

The legendary first EP by Belgian band dEUS, "Zea", produced by none other than Peter Vermeersch and Pierre Vervloesem, will be re-issued as a 10" vinyl album.

Check out the Beefheart sample at the start of the track !!
"It's The Blimp !!"