ED PALERMO AT THE FALCON 2014 10 04

a message from Ed Palermo :

Folks, I apologize for the last minute blast. New computer with a nasty learning curve!

This Saturday night, my big band plays the Falcon in Marlboro, NY, in a show called ZODD ZUNDGREN 2- a mash-up concert of the music of Frank Zappa and Todd Rundgren. TOTALLY psyched!! The Falcon has the BEST audiences in the world and there is NO COVER CHARGE. AND they have the greatest food!

http://www.liveatthefalcon.com/#!141004/c489

AND we are streaming it live thru CONCERT WINDOW (http://www.concertwindow.com). It isn't listed on their site yet, but it will be shortly.

Now, I usually hold off on sending out the set list until AFTER  the show so as to not spoil any surprises, but this time I'm making an exception. Feast your eyes on this cavalcade of retro bliss:

FALCON-OCTOBER 4 ZODD ZUNDGREN 2

early show

• CAN WE STILL BE FRIENDS OVERTURE-rundgren
• HOT PLATE HEAVEN-zappa
• EVERYBODY'S GOING TO HEAVEN-rundgren
• OH NO-zappa (Bruce McDaniel on vocal)
• MOGGIO-zappa (organ solo by Ted Kooshian)
• LATEX SOLAR BEEF/TRAIN/WILLY THE PIMP/-zappa/buddy mlles (violin solo by Katie Jacoby)
• POUND FOR A BROWN INTRO-zappa
• BREATHLESS (part one)-rundgren
• UNCLE MEAT/POUND FOR A BROWN-zappa
• YER FAST-rundgren (Bruce on vocals)
• HARRY, YOU'RE A BEAST-zappa
• ECHIDNA's ARF (coda only)
• BALLAD OF DENNY AND JEAN (vocal)
• SOFA (vocal intro)
• GRAND WAZOO (part one)-zappa
• BIRTHDAY CAROL-rundgren (first sax solo by Ed P, second by Barb Cifelli)
• GRAND WAZOO reprise-zappa
• 50/50-zappa
• ECHIDNA (tiny snippet#2)-zappa
• BREATHLESS (part two)-rundgren
• JUST ANOTHER ONIONHEAD/CAN WE STILL BE FRIENDS-rundgren (Napoleon+Bruce on vocals)
•  WORK SONG
•  WAILING WALL-rundgren (sax solo by Bill Straub)
• ECHIDNA'S ARF-zappa
• HELLO IT'S ME/BLACK NAPKINS-rundgren/zappa (Bruce McDaniel on vocal)
• DON'T YOU EVER WASH THAT THING-zappa (organ solo by Ted Kooshian,  drum solo by Ray Marchica)
• CAN WE STILL BE FRIENDS (finale)-rundgren

late show 

• PULSE-rundgren
• REAL MAN (intro only)-rundgren
• St. ALPHONSO'S PANCAKE BREAKFAST (short segment)-zappa
• G-SPOT TORNADO-mash-up:
• a. Resolution-John McClaughlin (Mahavishnu)
• b. Jingo-Santana
• c. G-Spot Tornado-zappa
• d. Caravan-duke ellington
• e. Rockin in Rhythm-duke ellington
• OH NO-zappa (instrumental featuring Katie Jacoby)
• SY BORG-zappa (piano solo by Bob Quaranta)
• YO MAMA (interlude only)-zappa
• BLACK MARIA-rundgren (guitar solo+vocal by Bruce McDaniel, violin solo by Katie Jacoby)
• DIRECTLY FROM MY HEART TO YOU-zappa (violin solo by Katie Jacoby)
• DUST IN THE WIND-rundgren (Bruce McDaniel on vocal, sax solo by Cliff Lyons
• 21st CENTURY SCHIZOID MAN
• KIDDIE BOY-rundgren (Bruce on vocal, Ed P on guitar solo)
• A DREAM GOES ON FOREVER-rundgren (Bruce on vocal)
• MAGDALENA-zappa
• AMERICA/AMERICAN IDIOT-bernstein+green day (Bruce on vocal)
• BANG ON THE DRUM-rundgren (varied solos)
• YOU CAN CALL ME AL JEMIMA
• INCA ROADS FINALE-zappa
  
  encore
• THE LAST RIDE-rundgren (Bruce on vocal, sax solo by Ed P)   
• BROKE DOWN AND BUSTED mash-up
  a. Boat on the Charles-rundgren
  b. Broke Down and Busted-rundgren
  c. Brown Shoes Don't Make It-zappa
  d. Pretzel Logic-Steely Dan
  e. Your Spleen Perhaps-Palermo (Bruce on vocal, sax solo by Ed P)
• PEACHES EN REGALIA-zappa encore

SLUGS SALOON

From the Saturn Newsgroup, a message by Ihor

here is an interview with "New York City native Jerry Schultz, now known as Gopal Krishna and resident in Onekaka, who it turns out opened Slug’s Saloon". a very interesting interview, and the photo of albert ayler quintet out front shows what it looked like.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/nat-music/audio/20145088/slugs-saloon

Slugs Saloon - Originally aired on Radio NZ National Music, Saturday 9 August 2014

FLAT EARTH SOCIETY

Here's Flat Earth Society with Frank Zappa's 'Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance'.

www.fes.be

A ZAPPA EXPERIENCE

NOVEMBER 8 in Lunteren, The Netherlands

Experience Zappa in the theatre:

Percussion ensemble KNA Lunteren and Zappa cover band The Foolz have joined forces to present a unique musical venture: Zappa Experience! On Saturday the 8th of November they will collectively present a theater show in the Schaffelaartheater in Barneveld. As the name implies, this show is geared entirely towards the works of composer, musician and filmmaker Frank Zappa. In a variety of set-ups a wide array of compositions made by Zappa will be performed. Prior to this musical experience renowned Zappa expert Co de Kloet will provide an in-depth lecture about Zappa's life and works. 

Percussion ensemble KNA Lunteren + The Foolz

Percussion ensemble KNA Lunteren:

The KNA percussion ensemble consists of roughly thirty dedicated musicians led by conductor Marco Ostenk. Since the year 2000 the orchestra has been preoccupied with concerts and concourses, consistently delivering musical performances of an impressive level. In 2009 the orchestra even became Dutch champion in its discipline and also partook in the World Music Concourse. Their repertoire is characterized by a large variety of styles, encompassing pop and rock, but also more blues-oriented styles of music. Now Zappa's vintage blend of jazz and rock can be added to their already broad range of skills. In sum: the KNA ensemble is not afraid to embrace variation and new challenges!

The Foolz:

Cover band The Foolz is committed entirely to the work of Frank Zappa. The band, consisting of Pedro Steneker (bass/vocals), Lex Kemper (guitar/vocals), Remco Aalhuizen (guitar/vocals), Wan Kemper (keys/vocals) and Marco Onstenk (drums), is a well-respected name amongst Zappa aficionados. In 2003 they released their live album Live from the Cherrytree. Furthermore, they performed multiple times at the acclaimed 'Zappanale' festival and also made much lauded appearances at Zappateers-organized festivals in Bradford-On-Avon and Corby.

Lecture:

Many people are vaguely familiar with the name of Frank Zappa, but only few know just exactly who he was. Hence, preceding the concert, radio presenter and Holland's most famed Zappa expert Co de Kloet will provide us with a lecture concerning the life and works of Zappa. Zappa challenged many a musical convention and in doing so merged musical styles that previously seemed irreconcilable. In an engaging fashion Co de Kloet will invite the audience into the mind of the composer, demonstrate his working method, and elucidate Zappa's socio-political brand of lyricism. De Kloet's lecture thus promises to be an inspiring experience for Zappa novices and adepts alike.

Zappa Experience:

Further into the night things will get even more inspiring as, over the course of two hours, the musicians will allow the audience a glimpse into the musical universe of Frank Zappa. Here, previously attained knowledge will be heard and seen in practice. The ensemble and the band will separately and collectively perform pieces of Zappa's work, touching on all aspects of his impressive oeuvre. Some songs of note that will be performed include: Echidna's Arf, Little Umbrellas, T'mershi Duween and What's New in Baltimore.

www.foolz.nl

(thank you Bazbo !!)

ZACH BROCK - PURPLE SOUNDS

• zach brock: purple sounds
      (2014, cd, nl, criss cross jazz criss 1366 cd)

Zach Brock recorded 'Twenty Small Cigars' on his "Purple Sounds" album, next to pieces by Dizzy Gillespie, Django Reinhardt, Charly Parker and some original compositions.

Nice.
A fine addition to The Others Of Invention, people performing or recording the music of Frank Zappa.

FREAK KITCHEN - COOKING WITH PAGANS

• freak kitchen: cooking with pagans
      (2014, cd, usa, the laser's edge le1070)

Album number eight for Mattias Eklundh's Freak Kitchen project.
Since 2002, next to Mattias Eklund, the trio features Christer Örtefors on bass and Björn Fryklund on drums.

This sure is heavy stuff, but it's also very funny. Both musically and lyricwise.

PRINCE - LOTUSFLOW3R

• prince: lotusflow3r / mplsound   * * * bria valente: elixer
      (2009, 3cd, usa, npg records)

Supplying data to the United Mutations Archives, I added Prince's "Lotusflower" album. It's a 3 disc set that presents two Prince albums ("Lotusflower" and "MPLSound") and one disc by Bria Valente entitled "Elixer".
Funky, psychedelic and fine guitar playing.

CLASSICA ORCHESTRA AFROBEAT ENSEMBLE

franktomatozappa mentioned the Classica Orchestra Afrobeat ensemble a couple of days ago.
A fine discovery:

https://soundcloud.com/classicafrobeat



CLASSICA ORCHESTRA AFROBEAT is a chamber ensemble composed of 12 italian musicians, most of whom are from the European classical tradition and boast international acclaim as soloists and ensemble players. Together with an ensemble of "cultured" instruments (woodwind, strings, harpsichord) and other captivating folk instruments such as the Italian bagpipe, the ocarina and African percussions, the orchestra expresses a unique freshness and originality.

The first album, "SHRINE ON YOU, FELA GOES CLASSICAL" ("Sidecar/Goodfellas 2011), is a beloved hommage to Fela Anikulapo Kuti, recorded live in the XIX sec. theater of Russi, Ravenna. It features Fela's son Seun Kuti and Africa 70's guitarist Kologbo. Live acts during past years included Glastonbury 2013.

The adaptation of Bembeya Jazz's "REGARD SUR LE PASSE" represents the second chapter in the orchestra's production. Recorded live at Alighieri Opera House, during prestigious Ravenna Festival in 2013, it's a musical epic opera about the story of the last African Emperor, Samory Toure, who fought against colonialists at the end of XIX sec. Directed by Marco Zanotti, this original adaptation of a traditional mandingo piece of history features griots Sekouba Bambino and Baba Sissoko, in the roles respectively of lead singer and narrator.

A MESSAGE FROM ZAPPATIKA

a message from Zap Mcinnes :

24 Sept.2014 -

Zap Mcinnes : "following a little suggestion from one certain Mr Ike Willis,after completion of a very nice tour earlier this year, we ZAPPATiKA'ns have been hot on the search for "the right guy with the right fingers" to join our merry band on tour merry highway to certain Hell !

Well, now we finally gots 'im ,my precious !
Meet FRED HANDL ,a writer,critic,philosopher and of course,damn fine pianist who hails from The Hague in The Netherlands.

Fred is a through and through Zappa Freak and has long been working with Franks' music. He is actually currently arranging a whole album of FZ scores rearranged for Solo Piano !

Fred and the chaps are hard at it in the Rehearsal Room and he will hopefully be ready to join the band on stage later this year.

FLAT EARTH SOCIETY UPDATE

Flat Earth Society has just released "FESXLS", a box with two new FES albums and one X-Legged Sally sampler.
And if that wouldn't be enough to convince you, the set also offers downloads for 7 Flat Earth Society and 5 X-Legged Sally albums.

Official presentation at Jazz Brugge on October 2, 2014.

Available through the Igloo label, from the FES website (www.fes.be) or at concerts !

Flat Earth Society is still touring with their Zappa tribute program, "Terms Of Embarrassment".
A must-see.

October 2

Jazz Brugge

October 4 

Stadsschouwburg Sint-Niklaas i.s.m. De Casino

November 14

Chassé Theater, Breda, Nederland

November 15

De Spil, Roeselare

December 12

Paradox, Tilburg, Nederland

HANS ANNELLSSON UPDATE

Hans Annéllsson has a new album out : "Prog Idas"
It's a download or CDR-on-demand release and it's available from CDBaby (where you can also listen to all of the tracks)

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/hansannellsson12

Track 8, 'Black & Blue', features Mats Öberg and Morgan Agren !!
"Prog Idas" also includes Hans Annéllsson's 'Letter To Frank', a short tribute to Frank Zappa.

BLESSED RELIEF ART EXPO

Painter Emo Verkerk and sculptor Luk Van Soom are teaming up for an expo that will show their recent work.

For both of them, Frank Zappa was the subject of one of their recent pieces, hence the title of the event.

DUAL EXHIBITION
Emo Verkerk & Luk Van Soom
Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 October
Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 October
Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October

each time from 14:00 to 18:00 h

location : Pruimenstraat 4, 2310 Rijkevorsel, Belgium

LIVE ALBUM BY THE TUBES ANNOUNCED

Various sources have announced a live album by The Tubes.
It will be released on the Sonic Boom label and has to be classified as one of those twilight zone (official / unofficial) albums.

The recording is taken from a radio broadcast from a 1976 concert.
This show can already be found on quite a number of bootlegs... "Darted In My Own Armchair", "Live In America", ...

It includes The Tubes performing Don Van Vliet's 'Gimme That Harp Boy'.

• the tubes: don't touch
      (2014, cd, uk, sonic boom)

ARISTOCRATS RESIDENCY IN SAN PEDRO

THE ARISTOCRATS
FOUR-NIGHT RESIDENCY AT ALVAS SHOWROOM
SAN PEDRO, CA, USA

• Thursday, January 29, 2015, 8:00pm
• Friday, January 30, 2015, 8:00pm
• Saturday, January 31, 2015, 7:30pm
• Sunday, February 1, 2015, 5pm

JOE SATRIANI WORLD TOUR CONTINUES

Joe Satriani "Unstoppable Momentum"
World Tour 2014 - Mexico/South America Leg
(Joe Satriani, Mike Keneally, Bryan Beller, Marco Minnemann)
(For full details and ticket purchase links, please visit Joe Satriani's official tours page)

Sep 20 - Metropolitan Theatre - Mexico City, MX
Sep 23 - Parque Salitre Magico - Bogota, CO
Sep 25 - Movistar Arena - Santiago, CL
Sep 27 & 28 - Gran Rex Theatre - Buenos Aires, AR
Oct 01 - Citi Bank Hall - Sao Paulo, BR
Oct 03 - Net Live Brasilia - Brasilia, BR

WE ARE THE OTHER PEOPLE

"We Are The Other People" is the title of the book that celebrates 25 years of Zappanale.
A book, filled with pictures, data, reviews, thank-you-notes, and much, much more.

Here's the promo video :

CAL SCHENKEL

Cal is offering some amazing stuff through his website.
Check it out:

http://ralf.com/galerie/

ARNO & THE SUBROVICKS - A EUX JE MONTRE MON DERRIERE

• arno & the subrovnicks: à eux je montre mon derrière
      (1994, cd5", france, delabel 892732-2) - incl. 'hot head'  (van vliet)

Arno Hintjens released his impressive "Water" album with his Arno & The Subrovnicks band in 1994.
I recently found out that the excellent coverversion of Captain Beefheart's 'Hot Head' that can be found on "Water", also got released as part of the "A Eux Je Montre Mon Derrière" single.

Here's a live version from 1992:

JAMES LAWLESS - I CAN HEAR YOU BREATHING! LIVE SNACKS!

• james lawless & the ratbastard orchestra: i can hear you breathing! live snacks! volume one!
      (2012, cdr-on-demand, usa, amazon / banned records)

Here's another James Lawless release.
"I Can Hear You Breathing" is a collection of live recordings, including two Zappa compositions: 'Let's Move To Cleveland' and 'Nite School'.

As James Lawless & The RatBastard Orchestra is a one-man band, James Lawless uses pre-recorded backing tracks with bass, drums, piano, guitars and backing vocals.
The lead vocals and lead guitar is performed live.

Data have been added the Others Of Invention section over at the United Mutations Archives.

JAMES LAWLESS & THE RATBASTARD ORCHESTRA - PASSED PROGRESSIVELY THREE

• james lawless & the ratbastard orchestra: passed progressively three
      (2011, cdr-on-demand, usa, amazon / banned records)

James Lawless released the third volume of his "Passed Progressively" series in 2011 as a CDR-on-demand album.
The album presents mostly cover versions, including Zappa's 'Filthy Habits', 'Dancin' Fool' and 'Peaches En Regalia'.
James plays all the instruments, but it's the organ that plays all of the melody lines.

LITTLE VILLAGE

There's a 'new' album scheduled to be released by Little Village.
Little Village featured Ry Cooder, John Hiatt, Nick Lowe and Jim Keltner.

New album is to be called "The Action In Frisco" and the recording is taken from a 1992 radio broadcast.

DWALMACAT 581

this week's Dwalmacat radio show :

http://www.mixcloud.com/Dwalmacat/dwalmacat-581/

• NEBIJUSUS SAJUTU RESTAURESANAS DARBNIKA - ?
• MADE FOR TV – So afraid of the Russians
• FRANCE GALL – Jazz à gogo
• FANTOMAS – Night of the hunter (remix)
• FRIEDMAN & LIEBEZEIT – Trittbrettfahrer
• JAY PHLITMAN & KIM KANG – Million monsters / Bored
• DEVO – Come back, Jonee
• LIARS – Mess on a mission
• ACHWGHA NEY WODEÏ – La brousse
• OPAL – Magick power
• BECK – Nicotine & gravy
• R. STEVIE MOORE – You and me / Jesus Christ
• SHE TALKS SILENCE – Vanished vacances
• THE GO! TEAM – Titanic vandalism
• CRASH COURSE IN SCIENCE – Pompeii spared
• DEATH AMBIENT – Prophecy

THE RESIDENTS - MOLE SHOW

• the residents: mole show
      (2010, cd+dvd, usa, ralph america)

This is the CD/DVD set that got released in 2009 as a part of the "Mole Show DVD Bag Set".

When Ralph America went out of business in 2010, copies of this CD/DVD set got sold seperately.
Even more copies (from The Residents' vaults) showed up about a month ago.

The original "Mole Show DVD Bag Set" got released in a limited run of 400 numbered copies.
The CD/DVD set that I have, is also numbered ( /400) so I'm guessing that these weren't extra copies but that they were taken from the "Mole Show DVD Bag Sets" that didn't get sold.

Here's a recording from a Spanish TV broadcast from 1983:

COWBOYS FROM HELL - BIG FISH

• cowboys from hell: big fish
      (2012, cd, ger, double moon dmchr71107)

Fans and freaks had to wait five years for the second Cowboys From Hell album.
"Big Fish" presents 9 original pieces from the Swiss trio (and one Pantera coverversion).
Lots of energy, weird tempos and electronic madness.
It was my pal Charly who called Christoph Irniger the Jimi Hendrix of the saxophone and he was right. As always.

I saw the band in concert at the Zapperlot! Festival last August.
They headlined day three playing a lot of material of "Big Fish".
They were great. One top of that, there was this superb moment when Christoph quoted Zappa in one of his pieces. Goosebumps.

Anyway, "Big Fish" is an amazing album.
It's essential listening !

Here's 40 seconds. Imagine what 40 minutes will do to you!

BRONSON SUPPLIES - BLUE CHIPS

• bronson supplies: blue chips
      (2012, cdr, usa, reebok)

Bronson Supplies brings together American rapper Action Bronson and producer Party Supplies.
They have been making mixtapes called "Blue Chips".

On their first collaborative "Blue Chips" mixtape (from 2012), they sample Frank Zappa's 'Tell Me You Love Me' in their 'Expensive Pens' track.

Here it is :

MICHAEL HEDGES - BEYOND BOUNDARIES

• michael hedges: beyond boundaries
      (2001, cd, usa, windham hill records 01934-11612-2)

The late Michael Hedges recorded and released Frank Zappa's 'Sofa no.1' on his "Oracle" album in 1996.
The "Beyond Boundaries" compilation album also includes Michael's version of the Zappa composition, but this time in a live version.

Nice. Very nice.

Data have been added to The Others Of Invention, artists performing the music of Frank Zappa.

ROCK IN OPPOSITION 2014

Later this week, the Rock In Opposition festival will take place in Cap Découverte in France.
With Doctor Nerve !!

Anyone going?

DWALMACAT 580

Last week, I mentioned the impressive new album by Rabbitoo.
Want to check out more Japanese bands? Just visit this week's Dwalmacat radio show !

http://www.mixcloud.com/Dwalmacat/dwalmacat-580-another-japan-special-by-jay-phlitman/

SHE TALKS SILENCE – Holy hands, holy voices
AI ASO – Land
TAKAKO MINEKAWA – Maxi on
TOA TEI – Terimakashi
CIBO MATTO – 10th floor ghost girl
SEAGULL SCREAMING KISS HER KISS HER – No telephone
MIILA AND THE GEEKS – Alphabed
SHE TALKS SILENCE – Walk away
CITRUS – Big day coming from northwest
A TIROLEAN TAPE – We love you
WATA – Angel
PHEW – Masao no yume
UA – Papito
TENNISCOATS – Temporacha
KAHIMI KARIE – Les leçons de Français
HARUOMI HOSONO – Smile

FROGG CAFE - BATELESS EDGE

• frogg café: bateless edge
      (2010, cd, usa, 10t records)

Do your experienced ears need a challenge? Why not feed them "Bateless Edge"?
Album number six by New York based Frogg Café got released some four years ago but that shouldn't stop you from checking it out.

"Bateless Edge"emphasizes all the things that I like about Frogg Café. Part of this might be due to the fact that guitarist Frank Camiola returned to the band. I love his guitar playing.

Frogg Café brings a mixture of prog, fusion and eastern elements. Frank Zappa never is far away.

Essential listening.

DUTCH ENSEMBLE VLEK HAS A NEW ALBUM OUT

The new (and second) CD is called "Smoking Gun" and is available through the VLEK website.

Check out the below link for samples.

http://www.vlekmusic.nl/media/

FRANK OUT!

Shortly after german band Sheik Yerbouti did their last concert in 2011, the band split up into The Grandsheiks and Frank Out!

Frank Out! is :

• Thomas Jung: keyboards, backing vocals, conducting
• Jürgen Kochler: bass, backing vocals
• George Rademacher: guitar, backing vocals
• Kai Rothfuchs: guitar, backing vocals, entertainment
• Harry Sebel: lead vocals, add. keyboards

The band performs the music of Frank Zappa and will be performing at Zappanale #26.

Wednesday, July 15, 2015, concert 'St Katharinenkirche', Hamburg, Germany.
And a couple of days later in Bad Doberan !!

THE ARISTOCRATS

About ten days ago, The Aristocrats  (Bryan Beller, Marco Minnemann and Guthrie Govan) performed one the last concerts of their recent tour.

At the P60 club in Amstelveen, NL.
September 5, 2014.

It sure looks like everyone had a great time.

Here's a video capture by Unicapb21.

- Get It Like That (Featuring the HILARIOUS RUBBER ANIMALS ACT and DUTCH RHYTHMIC AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION!)

FLAT EARTH SOCIETY ON BELGIAN NATIONAL TV

Check it out :
Flat Earth Society performing Frank Zappa's Solitude on Belgian national tv.

http://www.een.be/programmas/hotel-m/mauro-pawlowski-en-de-flat-earth-society-solitude

TOM WAITS - ASYLUM YEARS

• tom waits: asylum years
      (1986, cd, usa, asylum records)

In 1986, the Asylum Records label released a compilation of Tom Waits' first albums, his albums on the Asylum label.
This is a superb collection, including favorites like 'Ruby's Arms', 'Burma Shave', 'Martha',...

MADLIB - ROCK KONDUCTA PT 1 & 2

• madlib: rock konducta pt. 1 & 2
      (2014, 2cd, usa, madlib invazion)

Madlib recently released "Rock Konducta pt. 1 & 2", a 2CD set that celebrates psychedelic, progressive and kraut rock by mixing samples and beats.
At least two of the tracks on the second disc include Zappa samples.
I hear pigs and ponies in 'Galactic Supermarket', and 'Stürmischer' is build around 'Apostrophe'.

PRINCE UPDATE

Album covers and tracklist for the two new Prince albums have been added to the United Mutations Archives.

• prince: art official age
      (2014, cd, usa, warner brothers)

• prince & 3rdeyegirl: plectrumelectrum
      (2014, cd, usa, warner brothers)

SUN RA AND HIS ARKESTRA - IN THE ORBIT OF RA

• sun ra: in the orbit of ra
      (2014, 2cd, ger, strut records strut109cd)

September 2008, the Sun Ra Arkestra under the direction of Marshall Allen played a series of concerts in Tilburg, The Netherland, as part of the ZXZW festival.

Monday, Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday, the Arkestra performed at the Paradox club.

On Friday, the Clazz Orchestra (students from the Tilburg Conservatory) played a Sun Ra tribute.

Saturday scheduled a Sun Ra documentary / movie, a lecture and a concert at Paradox. The concert got broadcast on dutch national radio and got released on CD as "Live At The Paradox".

Sunday afternoon, the whole event got wrapped up by an outdoor (and free) concert at De Muzetuin.

Somewhere during the Monday concert, Marshall Allen told the audience that the Paradox concert series would be a voyage through the musical world of Sun Ra. They would be starting with some big band music from the 1950's on Monday and they would end with the more experimental material on Friday.
It was the perfect way to get acquinted with the music of Sun Ra.

Looking back at it, this was the event that turned me into a Saturnian.
I didn't go to the movie and to the lecture on Saturday, but I did catch all the concerts.
It opened my eyes and my ears.I was already familiar with some of Sun Ra's albums, but after September 2008 I decided that I wanted to hear every record that the man had ever made.

The latest addition to the Sun Ra discography is entitled "In The Orbit Of Ra" and it presents recordings by the Arkestra, as collected by Marshall Allen.

So, yes, this is some sort of compilation album, but it's a superb one.

Mastered from the original tapes and including some previously unreleased bonus tracks, "In The Orbit Of Ra" can serve both as an introduction as well as a perfect sounding compilation.

If you're still wondering how to get a taste of the music of Sun Ra, you've got two options. Go to a series of concerts, or listen to "In The Orbit Of Ra".
Out on the Strut Records label, both on vinyl and on CD.
The 2LP set includes the CDs as a bonus.

DANS DANS ON DUTCH TV NEXT SUNDAY MORNING

Belgian ensemble Dans Dans will be featured on next Sunday's "Vrije Geluiden" TV show as they will be talking about the Vlieland Festival.

Next to original compositions, the trio performs music by Sun Ra, Sonny Rollins and Ennio Morricone, just to name three...

Here's Dans Dans performing 'Yesterday Is Here' (Tom Waits)

NEW SUN RA ALBUM ANNOUNCED

The Klondike label will be releasing "3rd September 1988 Chicago".
The album will present the radio broadcast of the 1988/09/03 Chicago concert.

To be released later this month.

TOM WAITS - NIGHTHAWKS AT THE DINER

• tom waits: nighthawks at the diner
      (1975, 2lp, asylum records)

Managed by Herb Cohen, album design by Cal Schenkel.
And one of his best albums: "Nighthawks At The Diner".
Essential stuff.

TWO NEW ALBUMS BY PRINCE

The end of September will see two new releases by Prince :

Prince & 3rdeyegirl : "Plectrumelectrum"
and
Prince : "Art Official Age"

Both to be released on the Warner Brothers label, together with an "anniversary" remastered re-release of "Purple Rain" (with bonus tracks).

Reason enough to pull out another recent Prince album and to add its data to the United Mutations Archives.

• prince: mplsound
      (2009, cd, usa, npg records)

Originally released as part of the "Lotusflow3r" 3 CD set, "Mplsound" got also released as a seperate album. Somewhere in 2009.

FREAK KITCHEN

Mattias Eklundh and his Freak Kitchen band will be releasing a new album next week.

"Cooking With Pagans".

RABBITOO - NATIONAL ANTHEM OF UNKNOWN COUNTRY

• rabbitoo: national anthem of unknown country
      (2013, cd, austria, nj 624611)

Here's a fine album that got recommendedto me by my friend Till.
Rabbitoo is a Japanese quintet (guitar, sax, keyboard, bass and drums) and as far as I know, "National Anthem Of Unknown Country" is their first release.
The ensemble is led by guitarist Motohiko Ichino who also wrote most of the compositions.

The music on "National Anthem Of Unknown Country" is fascinating.
This is jazz, but not as we know it.

Catchy melodies, impressive solos,...
Air sculptures !
My cup of tea.

Check it out.

Here is a sample :

COWBOYS FROM HELL - MONSTER RODEO

• cowboys from hell: monster rodeo
      (2007, cd, italy, altrisuoni as235)

Swiss trio Cowboys From Hell released their first album in 2007. On the Italian Altrisuoni label.

I was told that "Cowboys From Hell" is the title of the fifth Pantera album. It's not unlikely that our Swiss friends are familiar with Pantera as they mix heavy rock with jazz lines.
Zappa and Panzerballet immediately come to mind.

"Monster Rodeo" is an appropriate titel for an impressive album.
I like it a lot !

Here's Cowboys From Hell at HBC, Berlin, Germany.

ZAPPERLOT 2014 - - - MÖRGLBL

French band Mörglbl was one of the reasons for me to drive to Switzerland to attend the Zapperlot! Festival.
Mörglbl played on day two: Saturday Aug 16, 2014.

I'm a big fan of Christophe Godin's guitar playing and this was a great opportunity to see him in action again.
Ivan Rougny (on bass) and Aurélien Ouzoulias (on drums) completed the trio.
They played a tight and impessive set (despite the electrical power failure break).
It was loud. Well, very loud, actually, but also very good. And funny.
These guys know how to transmit their energy to the audience.

setlist  (thank you, Chato)

• Gnocchies On The Block
• Brutal Romance
• Monster Within Me
• Mörglbl Circus
• Fidel Gastro
• Tale of Thibault
• Rude (new song/working title)
• Glucids In The Sky
• 22 oz
• Metal Khartoom
  
  encore
• Myspacebook

picture by stv

Here's a fragment from their recent live DVD.

MR. DIBBS - THE 30TH SONG

• mr.dibbs: the 30th song
      (2003, cd, usa,  rhymesayers entertainment rs030-2)

Mr. Dibbs sampled Frank Zappa's 'Little Umbrellas' from "The Grand Wazoo" on 'Rhythmic Soaring' from his 2003 "The 30th Song" album.
This is fun.
Another fine addition to The Others Of Invention.

Check it out !!

J DILLA - DONUTS

• j dilla: donuts
      (2006, cd, usa, stone throw records) 

J Dilla sampled Frank Zappa's 'Dance Contest' from the "Tinseltown Rebellion" album in his 'Mash' track on his 2006 "Donuts" album.
Info has been added to the United Mutations Archives.

Actually, the album contains some hundred or so samples.
Look here for the complete list:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donuts_(album)

And here's Jay Dee's 'Mash' with the Zappa sample.

OSTRICH VON NIPPLE - QUANTIFIES ABSURDITY

• ostrich von nipple: quantifies absurdity
      (2014, cd, ger, psychofon records)

"Ostrich Von Nipple Quantifies Absurdity" is OVN's third album. It follows "Contemplates The Cosmos" (2011) and "Plays Some Shitty Tunes" (2012).

OVN's output has a very recognisable style. Both music and artwork are very distinct. Yet, both the music and the artwork keep surprising me. Time after time.

Dark. Almost haunting.
With excellent guitar work by Nolan Cook and an unexpected appearance by Molly Harvey.
I love it.

Superb artwork, beautiful packaging & great music.
Fans of The Residents / Nolan Cook / Molley Harvey / Ostrich Von Nipple will not be disapointed.
This is a must-have !!

Go to http://www.psychofonrecords.com/  and order your copy today (as this is a limited edition of 300 copies)

There's also a collectors / "die-hard" edition (33 copies) and a 7" vinyl single with bonus material (50 copies), so don't wait too long.

ERNIE WATTS HAS A NEW ALBUM OUT

Ernie Watts, who was the saxophone player on Frank Zappa's "The Grand Wazoo" (1972), has just released a new album.
It's entitled "A Simple Truth" and it's out on the Flying Dolphin Records label.

Here's a recent live snippet from Ernie Watts with Tino Derado (piano), Rudi Engel (bass) and Heinrich Koebberling (drums).