BILLY JAMES - NECESSITY IS

Billy James published his "Necessity Is..." book in 2001.
I recently got hold of the 2005 re-issue. (See the above picture)
It will look good alongside to the original edition.

Another revised re-issue that I'm looking forward to is Andrew Greenaway's "Zappa The Hard Way".
If you want to avoid additional custom handling costs, you should be able to order it locally. Or order it from a company that takes care of the IOSS import taxes.

PETER STUART - PROPELLER

• Peter Stuart: Propeller
      (2001, cd, Germany, ulftone music)
      (2001, cd, USA, loud mouse music)

You might wonder how a melodic, pop record by former Dog's Eye View frontman Peter Stuart lands on the radar here at United Mutations. The answer, as always, lies in the family tree. Flipping over the liner notes of Stuart’s 2001 solo debut, Propeller, reveals a familiar name tucked neatly into the backing vocal credits: Moon Unit Zappa.

Released a bit over twenty years ago...

VARIOUS ARTISTS - SXSW LIVE VOL. 2

• Various Artists: SXSW Live Vol. Two
      (1994, cd-promo, usa, sxsw sx002cd9)

The "SXSW Live Vol. 2" promotional CD presented live recordings from 14 different artists.

The liner notes say:

“This CD is dedicated to the memory of Frank Zappa”
(FZ had passed away a couple of months before the release of this CD)

CABALLERO REYNALDO'S NEW ALBUM INCLUDES A FRANK ZAPPA PIECE

 Caballero Reynaldo (Luis González) is celebrating his 64th birthday by releasing an album entitled "64".

Download / streaming from Bandcamp, but also out on CD.
Next to the original tunes, "64" presents 'When I'm Sixty-Four' (Lennon, McCartney) and 'Let's Make The Water Turn Black' (F. Zappa).

JUNE TYSON - SATURNIAN QUEEN OF THE SUN RA ARKESTRA

• June Tyson: Saturnian Queen Of The Sun Ra Arkestra
      (2019, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)
      (2019, cd, USA, modern harmonic mhcd-014)
      (2019, lp, USA, modern harmonic mh-8014)

It is no secret that June Tyson was the glowing, celestial heart of the Sun Ra Arkestra. While Herman Poole Blount (Sun Ra himself) and John Gilmore provided the cosmic philosophy and foundational acoustic fire, Tyson gave the Arkestra its human—and superhuman—voice. Released by the archival wizards at Modern Harmonic, "Saturnian Queen Of The Sun Ra Arkestra" is the definitive, multi-vinyl/CD retrospective that Tyson has long deserved.

For the United Mutations community (and seasoned Ra collectors), this compilation is an absolute treasure trove. It spans her incredible tenure with the Arkestra from 1968 until her passing in 1992. It is not just a best-of compilation; it is a meticulously curated testament to a vocalist who could pivot from standard big-band jazz phrasing to avant-garde space chants in the blink of an eye.

What makes this Modern Harmonic release essential is the inclusion of rare, unreleased takes and live recordings where Tyson’s presence is palpable. Her performance on 'Enlightenment' is a masterclass in cosmic theater, showcase-singing alongside John Gilmore with a chemistry that sounds as vibrant today as it did decades ago.

As expected from Modern Harmonic, the packaging is top-tier. It features gorgeous, rare archival photographs of June in her full, magnificent Arkestra regalia—looking every bit the Saturnian Queen. The extensive liner notes provide crucial historical context, detailing her entry into the Arkestra via Marshall Allen and her evolution into the band's wardrobe designer, choreographer, and multi-instrumentalist (her violin work on select tracks is a haunting bonus).

Saturnian Queen Of The Sun Ra Arkestra is a mandatory addition to the Sun Ra shelf. It rescues June Tyson from the margins of liner notes and rightfully places her on the throne as the matriarch of Afrofuturism.

The album was difficult to get hold of when it got released in 2019. I'm glad that I finally caught up and got hold of the CD recently.

Highly recommended. Space is still the place, and June Tyson is our guide.

EMPERICAL - LIKE LAMBS: TO THE SLAUGHTER

• Emperical: Like Lambs: To The Slaughter
      (2026, cd, --, whirlwinds recordings)

The award-winning UK jazz vanguard, Empirical, returns with a new album entitled "Like Lambs: To The Slaughter". Following the relocation of long-standing vibraphonist Lewis Wright to the US, the core trio of Nathaniel Facey (alto sax), Tom Farmer (double bass), and Shaney Forbes (drums) has adapted beautifully into a shape-shifting unit. For this expansive project, they have enlisted long-time collaborators Ivo Neame on piano and David Preston on guitar, forming a stellar quintet that navigates the album's dense textures with sheer brilliance.

The foreboding album title refers to the surrender of our individual autonomy. According to composer and drummer Shaney Forbes, the phrase "Like Lambs: To The Slaughter" represents entering a dangerous situation completely unaware, mirroring how modern society surrenders independent thought and an inner voice to the comfort of mass consensus, algorithms, and fragmented media manipulation.

Musically, the record is an uninterrupted, multi-part suite that mirrors this heavy philosophical weight. It bridges the gaps between post-bop, fiery free jazz, and contemporary classical arrangements.

-- info: Danny Mathys

NEW RELEASE BY MEN & VOLTS

• Men & Volts: At The Square Root
      (2026, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)

Only two weeks after releasing "Tramps In Bloom", David Greenberger is making another Men & Volts album available on Bandcamp.

This time, it's a live concert from 2022 to which the liner notes add:
This is an expanded line-up of the band performing all the songs from the then newly released EP, Amber Supreme, and more.

NEW RELEASE FROM GOOSE

• Goose: 2026/08/19 WAMU Theater, Seattle, WA
      (2026, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)

Going for the long-term jam band treatment as a remedy for the current political chaos in the world.

Another fine show by Goose.

A J. M. SMIG UPDATE

In case you've been wondering what J. M. Smig has been up to lately...

From J. M. Smig :

My laptop arrangement of John Cage's "4'33" is now available at

Sheet Music Plus: www.sheetmusicplus.com/en/product/4-33-23859318.html
Sheet Music Direct: www.sheetmusicdirect.com/se/ID_No/2099829/Product.aspx

TWO ALLAN HOLDSWORTH LIVE ALBUMS TO BE RELEASED IN NOVEMBER

Each album will be released as a blu-ray + 2CD set (and at least one of the two also as a 4 LP set).

The first album got recorded at Yoshi's on Friday 29/09/2006 and the second on Saturday 30/09/2006.

Featuring Allan Holdsworth plus Alan Pasqua, Jimmy Haslip, and Chad Wackerman !