December 2026, 'Musicon', The Hague, NL
Tuesday, August 4, 2026
"ZAPPA & CO", OCTOBER 30 AT DOMICIL IN DORTMUND, GERMANY
The Zappa Orchestra Hamm is giving a special concert with a number of guest performers at the Domicil. Alongside the magnificent music of the master Frank Zappa, the programme will also feature music by Prince, Stevie Wonder and others. The Zappa Orchestra Hamm comprises 30 professional musicians, all of whom are or have been associated with the Hamm Municipal Music School. The orchestra was founded in 2015 to mark the music school’s 75th anniversary by Bernd Kortenkamp, a great admirer of Frank Zappa’s music. After a few years’ hiatus, they have been performing regular concerts again since 2023. The large ensemble’s repertoire includes more than 30 Zappa songs. No Zappa fan should miss this special concert. Tickets are available for €20.80 from numerous ticket outlets.
"FREAK OUT !"
In 1966, Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention released the album that started it all. Sixty years later, the Freak Out! 60th Anniversary Edition is officially unleashed and ready for pre-order.
The brand-new 60th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition presents 5 CDs of material, featuring the newly remastered 1966 stereo mix, a previously unreleased pre-master mix, the long-awaited mono master mix, The Mothers live at The Fillmore, 1966 rehearsals, demos, rarities, vocal reference mixes, session outtakes, and a cornucopia of bonus material. It’s the mother lode of mother lodes.
In addition to that glorious monstrosity, the Blu-ray contains ATMOS, 5.1, and high-res audio options. The set is rounded out with an expanded booklet with rare photos, new essays, a very special new section of even more “Relevant Quotes,” and an original double-sided fold-out Freak Out! Hot Spots Map.
Also available on a 5LP Box Set, as well as a multi-colored 2LP vinyl edition. Arrives everywhere on September 25th.
FREAK OUT! WITH JOE TRAVERS AND JOHN POLITO
Frank Zappa - Freak Out! 60th with Joe Travers and John Polito
THE PLASTER CASTER BLUES BAND - THE PLASTER CASTERS
- The Plaster Caster Blues Band: The Plaster Casters
(1969, lp, USA, blues time)
(2024, lp, Russia, --)
“The Plaster Casters” album by The Plaster Caster Blues Band did not include the actual Plaster Casters Of Chicago (Cynthia Albritton and her assistant(s)) but was a group of session musicians improvising on a number of blues themes.
The album included ‘You Didn’t Try To Ball Me (Dedicated To Frank Zappa)’, a track that also got released on the B-side of their only 7” single release.
The LP got re-released in 2024 on a Russian (?) label.
MADLIB - ROCK KONDUCTA PART 2
- Madlib: Rock Konducta Part 2
(2014, lp, USA, madlib invazion)
(2023, lp, USA, madlib invazion) – smoke vinyl
American DJ, music producer, multi-instrumentalist, and rapper Madlib, released a follow-up to his 2013 ”Rock Konducta Pt. 1” album in 2014.
"Rock Konducta - Part 2" included :
- 'Galactic Supermaket' - sampled Lumpy Gravy pt.2 (FZ)
and - 'Stürmischer' - sampled Apostrophe (‘) (FZ, Bruce, Gordon)
In 2023, "Rock Konducta - Part 2" got re-released on smoke vinyl.
Monday, August 3, 2026
MICHAEL MOORE UNIVERSE QUARTET - LISTEN !
- Michael Moore Universe Quartet: Listen !
(2026, download / streaming, -, ramboy recordings)
Starting the day with the latest album by the Michael Moore Universe Quartet is always a pleasure. Reed master Michael Moore, a crucial component of the ICP Orchestra, has delivered another beautiful album, "Listen !".
Michael Moore's warm, melancholic alto saxophone tone, combined with Guillermo Celano's guitar lines are joy to listen to.
On the Bandcamp page, Michael adds:
The rather presumptious title, the 'Universe' quartet, has to do with it being an exploration of my universe. It's a repertoire band, these guys are ready and willing to play anything I give them, and I am grateful for that.
My intent is, rather than break new ground, to explore older forms and make enjoyable music.
The advantage of being DIY one's whole life is that you have total freedom from commercial pressures; I can follow my muse anywhere, and this is where it has taken me!
The result is a beautiful album.
Take the album title as a strong recommendation and "Listen !":
-- info: Danny Mathys
Sunday, August 2, 2026
SUN RA AND HIS INTERGALACTIC SOLAR ARKESTRA - SPACE IS THE PLACE - MUSIC FROM THE ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK
- Sun Ra And His Intergalactic Solar Arkestra: Space Is The Place - Music From The Original Soundtrack
(2023, 2cd+dvd+blu-ray)
Having the "Soundtrack To Space Is The Place" album that got released on the Evidence record label in 1993 as well as the "Space Is The Place" movie on DVD, the 2023 "Space Is The Place" box set was always pushed backwards on my priority list.
Our recent visit to Hamburg was going to solve this inconvenience. The "Space Is The Place" box set was moved from the bottom to the top of my priority list, together with some other recent Sun Ra albums.
Unfortunately, as things turned out, I wasn't able to find a copy. Out of the four Sun Ra releases on my list, I only found one. Too bad.
Unfortunately, as things turned out, I wasn't able to find a copy. Out of the four Sun Ra releases on my list, I only found one. Too bad.
I had no choice but to resort to trying to find and to placing an order online. That wasn't easy either. It seems like this box set is close to becoming sold out.
After a bit of a search, earlier this week, the "Space Is The Place - Music From The Original Soundtrack" box set finally arrived.
Two CDs in one digipack: “Space Is The Place” (modern harmonic mhcd-267), plus another digipack with the "Space Is The Place" DVD and blu-ray, and a booklet. All in one nice little box.
Two CDs in one digipack: “Space Is The Place” (modern harmonic mhcd-267), plus another digipack with the "Space Is The Place" DVD and blu-ray, and a booklet. All in one nice little box.
I've only listened to the CDs and the sound is great. I'm very happy with the second disc, presenting unreleased material that got recorded at the same sessions.
The box was also released with three LPs replacing the two CDs.
But this CD/DVD/blu-ray box set is great as well.
Recommended. Especially if you don't have the previously released soundtrack or the movie.
But this CD/DVD/blu-ray box set is great as well.
Recommended. Especially if you don't have the previously released soundtrack or the movie.
"It's after the end of the world. Don't you know that yet?"
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