COLE LUMPKIN PLAYS ZAPPA

THE UNIVERSE BY EAR - S/T

• the universe by ear: s/t
      (2019, cd, switzerland, sireena sir 2197)

Imagine a band releasing an excellent first, eponymous album in 2017. Two years later, that very same band releases their second album. Also eponymous.
A trend has been set.

The Universe By Ear, a trio with the most predictable line-up that one can imagine : guitar, bass and drums. The music, however, is quite something else.
Driven by Stefan Strittmatters guitar lines, the songs receive extra power from Beni Bürgin's firm drumming and Pascal Grünenfelder's pounding bass playing.
Add blending vocals and you get the unique sound of The Universe By Ear.

Powerful, melodic guitar-oriented songs with a slight hint of cosmic psychedelica. My cup of tea.

The album presents 12 tracks and has been made available on CD and on vinyl.
Out on Sireena records.

Check it out!

Here's their Bandcamp page :

MOO-AH

mOO-aH is a little festival that is held in Corby, UK, every two years (or so).
Organised by Andrew Greenaway and Uncle Ian, it's all about the music of Frank Zappa.

This year's edition was my first Moo-Ah and I liked it.

Friday :

• Absolutely Frank
• Gabby Zappa Busk
• The Muffin Men
• Treacherous Cretins

Absolutely Zappa was pretty good, Gabby Zappa Busk was fun, and The Muffin Men were awesome.
However, a day of travel with the obligatory cancelled trains, bus drives, diversions and a taxi ride did take its toll as we were getting pretty tired after the Muffin Men show and went back to the hotel, skipping the Treacherous Cretins concert.
All the concerts were broadcast live on German Rockradio (from Hamburg) by Klaus and Steffen, which also means that recordings  could / should / might turn up sooner or later.

Here's a recording of the broadcast of the Treacherous Cretins gig :

Saturday

• Fred Händl
• London Zappa Collective
• Voodoo Room
• The Progfathers
• Pygmy Twylyte

Saturday kicked off with Fred Händl. Solo keyboard in his typical puzzling and cryptic style. Loved it. The London Zappa Collective was rather disappointing but we were put back on track with Voodoo Room who performed the music of Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix. Powertrio. They rocked. Next up, The Progfathers performed the music of Yes, Vandergraaf, King Crimson,... Not really my cup of tea (except for the KC pieces) but the rest of the audience loved it. And then there was Pygmy Twylyte. Young, enthusiastic, and nailing it. Very impressive.

In all, a nice weekend, not taking into account the hassle going home with, again, cancelled trains, a taxi from Luton to London to be able to catch the Eurostar, and another cancelled train in Belgium...

Personally, I would prefer to see two or maybe three bands on one evening. Emphasize on the quality.
But we did have a great time, so thanks again to the Moo-Ah crew.

PIERRE VERVLOESEM'S LATEST RELEASE

Available from today :
https://off-recordlabel.blogspot.com/2019/03/opv014-pierre-vervloesem-artiste-belge.html

LA CASA MURADA MOONJUNE SESSIONS VOLUME 1

MoonJune Records just released La Casa Murada MoonJune Sessions, Volume 1,

SNARKY PUPPY - IMMIGRANCE

• snarky puppy: immigrance
      (2019, cd, usa, ground up music)

I'm not really counting, but if you include the "17" 4LP live box, last year's "Shanktank" 10", and the marvellous "2015 World Tour" 32CD box set, this just might be release number 15 for Snarky Puppy!! Bring out the candle!!
Released about two weeks ago.
Magnificent..

"Immigrance", the new Snarky Puppy studio album, is all about movement. “The idea here is that everything is fluid, that everything is always moving and that we’re all in a constant state of immigration,” explains Michael League.

Here's a sample, also displaying the wonderful artwork of Zeycan Alkis, who did the artwork for the album cover.

DANNY ELFMAN WEEKEND IN PARIS SEPTEMBER 2019

from
https://dangerousminds.net/comments/1967_frank_zappa_linda_ronstadt_radio

When Matt Groening hired Danny Elfman to write the theme for The Simpsons, he gave him a mixed tape of songs that he wanted the music to sound like: The theme from The Jetsons, some of Esquivel’s “space age bachelor-pad music,” a teach-your-parrot-to-talk record, selections from Nino Rota’s Juliet of the Spirits soundtrack and this unused Frank Zappa-produced radio commercial for Remington electric shavers that features the vocal stylings of none other than a young Linda Ronstadt.

The future queen of country rock is nearly unrecognizable here, speeded-up, multi-tracked and sounding like she’s just taken a hit off a helium balloon. At the end, Zappa tells listeners that the Remington electric razor “cleans you, thrills you… may even keep you from getting busted.”

It's that very same Danny Elfman that became the composer of soundtracks like "Batman" and "Alice".

Saturday, September 14, l'Orchestre National d'Ile-de-France, directed by John Mauceri, will perform the music Danny Elfman wrote for "Alice In Wonderland".
Also on the 14th, the Berlin Philharmonic Piano Quartet will perform pieces by Danny Elfman.
And on September 15, it'll be "Batman" by the Brussels Philharmonic
All at the Philhamonie de Paris.

And just in case you want to hear Zappa's "Remington Electric Razor" ad again :

WALT FOWLER

Walt Fowler can be heard on Andy Summer's "Green Chimneys" album from 1999.
A tribute to the music of Thelonious Monk.
Beautiful !

Here's more info:
https://williesaid.blogspot.com/2019/03/andy-summers-green-chimneys-music-of.html

-- info: Jan van Kemenade

FRANK NUYTS' PIANO SONATAS

Belgian composer Frank Nuyts released six album with his piano sonatas between 2012 and 2015.
Frank has just added three more albums to this series.

https://www.franknuyts.com/2019/03/19/cd-release-of-the-remaining-sonatas/

IKE WILLIS & ZAPPATIKA - HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE

• ike willis & zappatika: highway maintenance
      (2019, cd, nl, private release / zappatika)

A couple of months ago, Zappatika released a Youtube video compilation (lots of chatter and a bit of music) of the recent tour that they did with Ike Willis.
Actually, the Youtube video was a teaser for the brand-new "Highway Maintenance" album. A release that has been made available as a digital download and on CD !
Digipack. Looks great.
11 tracks. All recorded in concert.
All Zappa classics.
Ike's voice isn't what it used to be and that's a pity, but it sure is great to hear him play the guitar with this excellent band.

Ike Willis, Mark McInnes, Osman Meyredi, Joep Oosterbaan, Emile De Jonge, Sander Van Elferen.

1. intro bolero / lucille has messed my mind up
2. catholic girls
3. son of orange county / more trouble every day
4. magic fingers
5. montana / zoot allures / whippin' post
6. dirty love
7. city of tiny lites
8. outside now
9. broken hearts are for assholes
10. ike's birthday bolero
11. muffin man / goodnight

OHM IS WHERE THE ART IS

"Ohm" (Is Where The Art Is) is not just the title of a piece by The Residents, it's also the name of an illustrious label that started making CDR's available in 2015 with obscure recordings by The Residents.
Pretty expensive, in the true bootleg meaning of the word.

Housed in a jewel case with actual pictures as front and back side, the CDR's carry a glued label.
I bought the four 'pre-'Residents recording a little while ago.
The sound is very good.
Rumour has it that the recordings are sourced from a set of reels that were stolen from The Residents' archives.

In case you're wondering what the album covers look like, here's all four of them :

• the residents: the ballad of stuffed trigger
      (2015, cdr-bootleg, --, ohm) = the 1969 demo album with extras

• the residents: rusty coathangers for the doctor
      (2015, cdr-bootleg, --, ohm) = the 1970 demo album with extras

• the residents: the warner bros. album
      (2015, cdr-bootleg, --, ohm) = the 1970 demo album with extras

• the residents: baby sex
      (2015, cdr-bootleg, --, ohm) = the 1971 demo album with extras. This one includes The Residents' / Snakefinger's version of Frank Zappa's 'King Kong'. Re-released on a couple of official albums later on.

NEW ANIMATION PROJECT BY CARL KING

Kickstarter project : That Monster Show
by Carl King.

Read all about it here:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/carlking/that-monster-show-animated

SATANIQUE SAMBA TRIO

Next September, the Satanique Samba Trio will present their new album during a couple of concerts.
At least two of these concerts will take place in Belgium !!

DERYA YILDIRIM AND GRUP SIMSEK

Psycho-pop from Derya Yıldırım and Grup Şimşek

PUNKY'S WHIPS

Did someone say 'Punky's Whips' ?

from Glass Onyon PR

Rock Legends ANGEL Signs New Record Deal With Cleopatra Records

Legendary rock band ANGEL has just signed a Record deal with Cleopatra Records and will start recording in April 2019. Original members Punky Meadows and Frank Dimino along with current member Danny Farrow have written 14 brand new songs for the album which they describe as very diverse ranging from songs that are very Melodic with real strong hooks to much heavier songs that contain great melodies and will have the classic Angel sound. This album will appeal to all ANGEL fans of every era and previous albums.

NEW MÖRGLBL ALBUM

"The Story Of Scott Rötti", new album by Mörglbl 88

RESIDENTS COVERVERSIONS AT KLANGGALERIE

from the Klanggalerie website:

We have two fantastic cover albums of Residents material out: the first one is Stuck Bad, The Darkening Scale's version of The Residents' Duck Stab EP. (TDS is of course, David Janssen of Renaldo and The Loaf's side project).
The other is The 180Gs a cappella version of The Commercial Album. All 40 songs, no instruments, only voice.

ZAPPATIKA ALBUM OUT ON CD

The new Zappatika album is out on CD.

"Highway Maintenance"

Yes boys and girls, here is our spanky new CD and we are happy to say YOU can now have one all for yourself !
To order just log in to your Paypal and send a measly 10 bucks/euros/quids to zappatikamerch@gmail.com
(add 2 bucks for postage in Europe/UK or 4 bucks for USA/Canada) and our tiny elves will get that sucker out to your letterbox with remarkable elvish efficiency !

SINISTER SISTER PLAYS BARTOK

This Friday, 29/3, Sinister will be performing the music of Béla Bartók in Charleroi, BE.

At the Palais de Beaux-Arts.

http://www.pba.be/fr/saison/29-03-2019/

RAGINI TRIO FEAT BOJAN Z AND SAWANI MUDGAL

Dutch TV show Vrije Geluiden : Ragini Trio with special guests.

Nathan Daems - baritone sax
Marco Bardoscia - double bass
Lander Gyselinck - drums
Sawani Mudgal - voice
Bojan Z - piano

Listen to the new album here:
https://soundcloud.com/user-922379275/sets/peace-the-new-jazz/s-OnbSB

ZAPPA SPIELT FÜR BACH

The warm-up for Zappanale #30 will (again) take place in Hamburg where Fried Dähn, Napoleon Murphy Brock, Chris Garcia and The Monk will perform in concert at the St.Katharinenkirche.

JOHN TABACCO AND NIGEY LENNON

John Tabacco recently released "The Second Arrangement", a set of 6 Steely Dan tunes, performed by John Tabacco, Nigey Lennon, and others.

GOOD GOD

1970's jazz-rock/fusion band Good God featured Bob Martin as guest musician. We got to know him as Robert 'Bobby' Martin when he joined Zappa's band.
The album includes a cover version of Frank Zappa's 'King Kong'.

Originally released on vinyl and later on CD.
If you want to read a bit more about it, here's a link :
http://surfingtheodyssey.blogspot.com/2019/03/good-god-1972-good-god.html

-- link : Jan van Kemenade

SNARKY PUPPY TO PERFORM IN EINDHOVEN, NL

A new data has been added to the Snarky Puppy tour later this year :

November 2, 2019, Snarky Puppy at the 'Muziekgebouw' in Eindhoven, NL.

https://www.muziekgebouweindhoven.nl/nl/agenda/1802/So_What%27s_Next_presents/Snarky_Puppy

MARC MOULIN TRIBUTE

The West Music Club big band pays tribute to Marc Moulin's Placebo.

Not to be confused with the Placenta band (another excellent tribute to Marc Moulin's 1970's jazz-rock ensemble), here's the West Music Club big band's latest album :
"West Music Club Plays Placebo".

Out on Igloo Records.

NEW ALBUM BY L'ECLAIR

"Sauropodo" by L'Eclair.
Check it out !!

NIK TURNER RELEASES NEW ALBUM

from Glass Onyon PR

HAWKWIND Co-Founder NIK TURNER Boldly Goes Into THE FINAL FRONTIER!

Los Angeles, CA - After suiting up as the Space Gypsy in 2013, blasting off on an epic Space Fusion Odyssey in 2015 and enjoying Life In Space in 2017, pioneering musician/songwriter Nik Turner is now set to venture to the outer reaches of space rock with his awe-inspiring new studio album The Final Frontier! Picking up where his last album left off, Turner brings another set of psychedelic freak-out grooves that will take listeners on a journey they won’t soon forget! Standout tracks include the album opener “Out Of Control,” a super-collider of rollicking psych rock that unites saxophone and guitar in spectacular fashion, and the dramatic space ballad “Interstellar Aliens.” Once again joining our intrepid traveler Turner is Nicky Garratt of UK Subs and Hedersleben, Jürgen Engler of Die Krupps, and Jason Willer of UK Subs and Jello Biafra’s band as well as special guest appearances by Hawkwind alumni Simon House and Paul Rudolph. Available on CD in a digipak case as well as a gorgeous limited-edition yellow vinyl in a gatefold jacket! The Final Frontier will be in stores everywhere starting March 8.

THE ED PALERMO UPDATE

Two Special Performances of

“AMERICANA"

A Musical Tribute

The Ed Palermo Big Band celebrates the music of

Frank Zappa, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young,

Joni Mitchell, Samuel Barber, Aaron Copland and more!

Saturday, April 13th

with Napoleon Murphy Brock

The Falcon

1348 Rt. 9W Marlboro, NY

Showtime 7:30pm

Monday, April 22nd

The Iridium

1650 Broadway (corner of W. 51 St.), NYC

8:30PM - One set only

​

BRUSSELS PHILHARMONIC PERFORMS HOLST'S "THE PLANETS" WITH VISUALS BY NASA

Flagey (Brussels, BE) is hosting a performance of Holst's "The Planets" by The Brussels Philharmonic and the Vlaams Radio Koor

19:30 - Music talk: Thomas Hertogs
19:30 - Meet the artist: Stéphane Denève and Sander De Keere

Kaija Saariaho, Asteroid 4179 : Toutatis
Gustav Holst, The Planets with visuals by NASA

With The Planets – An HD Odyssey, the audience embarks on a musically and visually bewildering journey. Gustav Holst's beautiful and at times The Planets served as the inspiration for this production, with images by NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The result is a musical trip through our solar system, on a big screen.

THE ORACLE OF OUTER SPACE

The Oracle of Outer Space: EPISODE ZERO! (FULL EPISODE)

FULL EPISODE ! Starring Dweezil Zappa, Jon Schnepp (Metalocalypse), Joanie Brosas, LeeAnna Vamp, Mike Keneally, Ebony Amber, Clarke Wolfe, and more!

MONIKA ROSCHER BIG BAND UPDATE

Monika Roscher Big Band,
Upcoming concerts

March 27, 2019 Köln, Philharmonie, lit.COLOGNE (Literatur-Festival)
April 13, 2019 Freiberg, Freiberger Jazztage
April 19, 2019 Stuttgart, Theaterhaus Jazztage
April 20, 2019 Veitsbronn, Halle 96
May 04, 2019 München, Lange Nacht der Musik, Carl-Orff-Saal
May 31, 2019 Bonn, Jazzfest Abschlusskonzert
November 30, 2019 Nürnberg, Hubertussaal

SUN RA - SOLO PIANO AT WKCR 1977

• sun ra: solo piano at wkcr, 1977
      (2019, download, --, bandcamp)

Another Sun Ra recording found its way to Bandcamp.
This time it's a Sun Ra solo piano performance from 1977, recorded at WKCR radio.

9 tracks.

THE POODLE DIARIES

• the poodle diaries - a guide to the live music of frank zappa
  by w.surface
      (2015, book, usa, private release)

I don't know if I mentioned this book before but as I just pasted its cover into the United Mutations Archives, I thought I should mention it here as well.
"The Poodle Diaries" lists all the known concerts by Frank Zappa and The Mothers (Of Invention).

A bit like FZShows over at Zappateers.
http://www.zappateers.com/fzshows/index.html

Here's the Poodle Diaries website :
http://www.poodlediaries.com/

ARF DOSSIER VOL.99

the arf-dossier no.99 - March 2019

incl.

• the hot platters heaven from the arf office
• eine reise nach l.a. by wolfhard kutz
• the rare pictures gallery
• the fine but unauthorized cd kaleidoscope
• the vinyl bootleg releases
• news from belgium - live from United Mutations
• ullis ecke

NEW SNARKY PUPPY ALBUM

Released yesterday.
Or the day before yesterday.
Anyway, it's out and it's called "Immigrance".

RESIDENTS NEWSFLASH

Next to the B.S. album (Record Store Day), The Residents are scheduled to release a deconstructed version of Eskimo. It will be a 2LP/CD set and the album cover looks very promising !!

https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/the-residents-eskimo-deconstructed-40th-anniversary-2lp-cd-set/

"B.S." album cover.

"Eskimo Deconstructed" album cover.

RESIDENTS BOBBLEHEAD

Couldn't resist.
Mine's #776

The Residents iconic 'Classic Eyeball' is now available as a bobblehead.
This figure is limited to just 1000 hand-numbered units, stands at 7.5' tall, and is made of a high quality polyresin.
Comes in a full color box.

MARIANO ALVAREZ

Mariano Alvarez is the lead singer for Bestiaplanete, a rock band from Argentina.
Funk, rock, Zappa,... It's all there.

Check them out :
https://bestiaplanete.bandcamp.com/album/la-holoturia-venusina

Mariano will be staying in Brussels, Belgium, next April and he's looking for opportunities to perform.
He'd like to perform a set of bluesy Zappa songs with a band, or with a guitar player and/or keyboard player. Next to Zappa, he's also in for a set of songs including 'Mustang Sally', 'Got My Mojo Working', 'Rawhide',...

Interested ? Or know anyone who might be ? Drop me a line and I'll get you in contact with Mariano.

MOLTEN PENGUIN RELEASES EP ON SOLIDUDE RECORDS

Solidude Records has just released the first EP by Molten Penguin !

Digital release on iTunes, vinyl available from Solidude Records.
https://soliduderecords.com/

Featuring Pieter Claus (Sinister Sister) on marimba and vibes, Jan Ghesquière (Altertape, Sinister Sister) on guitar, Dries Geusens (Nordmann) on bass and Jonathan Callens (Altertape, Humble Grumble) on drums.

Check it out !!

MUFFIN MEN TOURDATES

Just a small reminder...

MICK ECKER'S "ZAPPA'S GEAR"

Mick Ecker's book, "Zappa's Gear" can be pre-ordered through amazon :

https://www.amazon.com/Zappas-Gear-Amplifiers-Keyboards-Equipment/dp/1540012026

To be released next July.

Here's more info :
http://www.zappasgear.com/

MORE INTIGE TALUURE ON BANDCAMP

Intege Taluure's 2017 cassette release "Newton's Flat Fidelity part 2" has been made available on Bandcamp !
For "Part 2", Intige Taluure teamed up with Plus Instruments.
Beautiful.
Always nice to have a digital copy floating around...

2nd part in the Newton's Flat Fidelity cassette series. a project started by Intige Taluure. For each cassette we collaborate with another artist. In this case: Truus De Groot from Plus Instruments.Cassette only release in a hand numbered edition of 75 copies.

KING LEGBA & THE LOAS

On March 22nd 2019 Czar Of Crickets Productions will release the new album BACK FROM THE DEAD from voodoo garage rock'n'rollers KING LEGBA AND THE LOAS.

After serious health issues of the lead-singer, songwriter and guitarist Tobi Glanzmann, the band is literally back from the dead.

The album contains a raw and powerful brew which stretches from bluesy garage rock to psychedelic and stoner. Album produced by Tomas Skoksberg (Hellacopters, Entombed, Backyard Babies).

PHOENICIAN DRIVE TOURDATES

March Tourdates for Phoenician Drive

3.3 OFFENBACH - Hafen 2
4.3 KOLIN - BAR Pod Hodinama
5.3 BUDAPEST - Drei Raben
6.3 ZAGREB - Klub Mocvara
7.3 LJUBLJANA - Channel Zero
8.3 BOLOGNA - Mercato Sonato
9.3 MARGHERA- Super Saor
14.3 BORDEAUX - Psych Fest 2019
15.3 LIMOUSIN - L'Echaravel
16.3 NIORT Al - Le Camji
17.3 FELLETIN - La Petite Maison Rouge
20.3 NANTES - La Scène Michelet
21.3 RENNES - Antipode
22.3 PARIS - Olympic Café

SPINIFEX

The new Spinifex album, "Soufifex" got presented at the Bimhuis in Amsterdam recently :

Spinifex SOUFIFEX live at the Bimhuis 18 January 2019

JIM GORDON AND JOHN GUERIN

Jim Gordon can be heard on this Albert Hammond album :
http://60-70rock.blogspot.com/2019/03/albert-hammond-1973-free-electric-band.html

Jim Gordon and John Guerin both recorded with David Wagner:
http://silveradoraremusic.blogspot.com/2012/11/david-wagner-dba-crow-1972-great-us.html

-- info: Jan van Kemenade

SUN RA AND HIS ASTRO INFINITY ARKESTRA - PATHWAYS TO UNKNOWN WORLDS

• sun ra and his astro infinity arkestra: pathways to unknown worlds
      (2019, cd, usa, modern harmonic mhcd-084)

2019 has been good to Sun Ra and Arkestra fans. Next to the "Monorails & Satellites" collection and the "WUHY 1978" radio show recording, a third release can be enjoyed.
"Pathways To Unknown Worlds" originally got released in 1975. On vinyl.
In 2000, a couple of tracks could be found on the Evidence released "Pathways To Unknown Worlds + Friendly Love" compilation.
And now, finally, in all its splendour, on CD.

Excellent.
An excellent album in a pretty package. Liner notes by Brother Cleve.
A perfect warm-up for the upcoming European concerts.



Here are the tour dates

Sat April 27th., Budapest, Hungary, Trafo
Sun April 28th., Viena, Austria, Porgy and Bess
Tue April 30th., Brussels, Belgium, Bozar
Sat May 4th., Mannheim, Germany, Alte Feuerwache
Sun May 5th., Kassel, Germany, Theater Stubchen
Thu May 16th., Liege, Belgium, Jazz a Liege
Fri May 24th., London, U.K., Union Chapel
Sun June 2nd., Berlin, Germany, Berlin Jazz Experiment

WILLIAM ELLIOTT WHITMORE - KILONOVA

• william elliott whitmore: kilonova
      (2018, cd, usa, bloodshot records bs265) 

American blues and folk artist William Elliott Whitmore released his 9th album in 2018.
Next to some original work, William Elliott also recorded a number of covers. The most impressing one is his version of Captain Beefheart's 'Bat Chain Puller'.

Out on Bandcamp, LP and CD.

THE BEASTS COVER FRANK ZAPPA

http://www.noise11.com/news/the-beasts-are-still-here-to-honour-the-beast-of-bourbon-20181128

The Beasts are Still Here to honour the Beast of Bourbon
by PAUL CASHMERE on NOVEMBER 28, 2018

Without Spencer P. Jones and Brian Henry Hooper there is no more Beasts of Bourbon but in their honour there is The Beasts.

Founding members Tex Perkins, Kim Salmon and Boris Sujdovic together with longtime members Tony Pola (since 1990) and Charlie Owen (since 1996) have taken to the studio to record one more album ‘Still Here’.

Brian Hooper’s illness kept him from the sessions and Spencer P. Jones only made it in for one song. The music world now mourns their loss. Brian’s song ‘What The Hell Was I Thinking’ is included on the new record. There are also covers of Frank Zappa’s ‘The Torture Never Stops’ and Warren Zevon’s ‘My Shit’s Fucked Up’.

FZ88 --- A VISUAL DOCUMENTARY OF ZAPPA'S FINAL TOUR

• fz88
  by sergio albonico and andrew greenaway
      (2019, book, uk, wymer)

"FZ88" takes a look at Frank Zappa's 1988 tour in words but especially in pictures.
Beautiful shots by Sergio 'Milo' Albonico (what a guy and what a career !!), lots of quotes from the musicians, and some excellent comments by Andrew Greenaway.
128 pages in one big hardback book.
Limited to 500 copies.
Comes with three large photo prints.
I love it !

https://www.wymeruk.co.uk/webshop/collector-s-items/fz88/

FRANK ZAPPA FAQ

• frank zappa faq
  by john corcelli
      (2016, book, usa, backbeat books)

Sometimes I do judge a book by its name or its cover and that's the reason that I hadn't picked up "Frank Zappa FAQ". I imagined it being some sort of mix of various articles that happened to be floating around on the internet.
My mistake.

"Frank Zappa FAQ" is an interesting book about the various aspects of Frank Zappa's musical output, alumni and FZ's musical legacy.
Well-written by John Corcelli.
Foreword by Ed Palermo !

KLOOT PER W & MAURO PAWLOWSKI - INSIDER / OUTSIDER

• kloot per w / mauro pawslowski: insider / outsider
      (2019, cd, uk,  jezus factory records)

Kloot Per W's latest album "Inhale Slowly And Feel" got released on the Star Records label. It was Kloot Per W's tribute to the music of The Velvet Underground and featured Mauro Pawlowski as a special guest.
It seems like the duo had fun as they just released a complete new project: "Insider / Outsider", an excellent album that brings out the best in both artists.

The download version of the album is available. The CD (and k7) will be released later this month.

SUN RA AND HIS SOLAR ARKESTRA - ART FORMS OF DIMENSIONS TOMORROW

• sun ra: art forms of dimensions tomorrow
      (2018, cd, uk, grey scale gsjgz001cd)

Last year, the UK-based Grey Scale record label re-released Sun Ra's 1965 "Art Forms Of Dimensions Tomorrow" album.
The disc has one extra track, 'Chicago Southside', compared to the original release.

"Art Forms Of Dimensions Tomorrow" did get an earlier CD release in 1992 on the Evidence record label, combined with the "Cosmic Tones" album but I don't know if that one's still available.

The album, plus the the bonus track, did get a digital Bandcamp release in 2014. Some of these Bandcamp releases do get released on CD and on vinyl by the Cosmic Myth label, but for some reason, "Art Forms" is not (yet) included in this list.
So Grey Scale is filling the gap...

Superb album, by the way.

SONTAAG TO RELEASE HAWKWIND'S SILVER MACHINE

from Glass Onyon PR

International Rock Collective Sontaag Release Hawkwind Cover “Silver Machine” feat. Nik Turner!

Featuring Killing Joke's Youth, Dave Barbarossa of Adam And The Ants/Bow Wow Wow and ex-Hawkwind legend Nik Turner!


New York/London - International rock collective Sontaag, whose conceptually ambitious, eponymous debut album (a sonically cinematic, cross-generic space opera) arrived into the progressive firmament to critical acclaim in 2014, are finally set to re-establish contact with our much-troubled earthly realm.

On March 15th, 2019, Sontaag return with a fiercely contemporary interpretation of Hawkwind's iconic 1972 hit, “Silver Machine.” The Sontaag crew on this particular mission finds core creatives Richard Sontaag (guitars, keyboards, producer) and Ian Fortnam (vocals and guitar) joined by Killing Joke's Youth on bass, Dave Barbarossa (Adam And The Ants/Bow Wow Wow) on drums and ex-Hawkwind legend Nik Turner on sax.

“Silver Machine” is mixed by Youth.

Design and photo montage by Julie Cunnah. Thanks to Kevin Nixon.

“Silver Machine” is available through Cleopatra Records via all digital platforms and also comes in radically remixed form courtesy of Sontaag's fellow travellers in outer and inner psychedelic space, The Orb.

SUN RA & HIS ARKESTRA - THE SPIRIT OF JAZZ COSMOS ARKESTRA

• sun ra & his arkestra: the spirit of jazz cosmos arkestra at wuhy, 1978
      (2019, download, --, bandcamp)

We're about to take a trip. Not a psychedelic trip but a sensation. A soul, mental, spiritual, musical trip.

Sun Ra and his Arkestra on Philadelphia WUHY-FM Radio in 1978.
Music and interviews.
Digital release on Bandcamp.

Wowie Zowie !!


-- info : Danny Mathys

MARBIN - ALABAMA SOCK PARTY (BOOTLEG)

• marbin: alabama sock party (bootleg)
      (2019, download, --, bandcamp)

Dynamic duo Marbin just released a recent concert recording through their Bandcamp page.

Recorded at a live show on February 2nd, 2019 at Heartwood Soundstage in Gainesville, FL.
All the songs are brand new and were never recorded before. They're scheduled to appear on Marbin's next album. credits

Danny Markovitch - saxophone
Dani Rabin - guitar
Everette Benton Jr. - drums
Jon Nadel - bass

Enjoying it at this very moment. A perfect way to start the day.

PRINCE - A SYMPHONIC TRIBUTE

Thursday, March 21, 2019
PRINCE - A SYMPHONIC TRIBUTE
by the Noord Nederlands Orkest, Boris en Jennie Lena
at Tivoli Vredenburg, Utrecht, NL

That's the same NNO orchestra that did a Frank Zappa tribute (with Dweezil Zappa) last year !

https://www.tivolivredenburg.nl/agenda/prince-a-symphonic-tribute-21-03-2019/

COR VAN DIEJEN'S BOOK GETS A SEQUEL

Last year, Cor van Diejen presented "Een Modder Van Inventie", a book (in Dutch) with ponderings and thoughts by Cor van Diejen on the subject of Frank Zappa's music.

The book will get a sequel.
It might be called "Een Harlekijneend, Gans Wit Genekt, Kwaakt" and will also includes Cor's view on Captain Beefheart.

STICK MEN TOURDATES

STICK MEN
TONY LEVIN - Chapman stick
MARKUS REUTER - touch guitar
PAT MASTELOTTO - drums, electronics

• JULY 30, TUE - ARDMORE, PA (Ardmore Music Hall)
• JULY 31, WED - NEW YORK, NY (The Iridium) (two shows)
• AUG 1, THU - NEW YORK, NY (The Iridium) (two shows)
• AUG 2, FRI - ASBURY PARK, NJ (The Saint)
• AUG 3, SAT - JIM THORPE, PA (The Mauch Chunk Opera House)
• AUG 4, SUN - CLEVELAND, OH (Beachland Ballroom)
• AUG 6, TUE - ROCHESTER, NY (Lovin' Cup)
• AUG 7, WED - PAWLING, NY (Daryl's House)
• AUG 8, THU - NATICK, MA (The Center For Arts In Natick)
• AUG 9, FRI - MANCHESTER, NH (Penuche's Music Hall)
• AUG 10, SAT - ALBANY, NY (The Linda WAMC Performing Arts Center)

Also, members of Stick Men will participate at the following events:
THREE OF A PERFECT PAIR MUSIC CAMP
with Adrian Belew, Tony Levin, Pat Mastelotto, Markus Reuter
• AUG 12-16 (MON-FRI) - BIG INDIAN, NY (Full Moon Resort)

BELEW, LEVIN, MASTELOTTO AND FRIENDS
• AUG 16, FRI - WOODSTOCK, NY (Bearsville Theater)

MAURO PAWLOWSKI

Mauro Pawlowski's latest project : Maurits Pauwels en de Benelux Calypsos.

They just released a first single : 'Zeven Lijken in Brussel - Noord'.

TROUT MASK REPLICA ON THIRD MAN RECORDS

The Third Man Records newsletter :

https://thirdmanrecords.com/news/record-store-day-2019-offerings

TEASER FOR THE NEW SNARKY PUPPY ALBUM

The second single "Bad Kids To The Back" from Snarky Puppy's new album, "Immigrance," is now available worldwide. Immigrance will be available worldwide March 15th.

Pre-order "Immigrance" and instantly download "Bad Kids To The Back":
http://radi.al/Immigrance

Pre-order Digital/CD/Vinyl in our US Store: https://store.snarkypuppy.com/
Pre-order Digital/CD/Vinyl in our EU Store: https://storeeurope.snarkypuppy.com/
See Snarky Puppy on tour: http://snarkypuppy.com/tour

THE BLUE DEVILS - THROUGH THE YEARS 80S

• the blue devils: through the years 80s
      (2004, 2cd, usa, the blue devils) 

The Blue Devils are a marching drum and bugle corps, from Concord, California, USA. They have won various awards and released various albums.
On their 1997 album "Through The Years 1984 - 1989", one can find Zappa's 'Echidna's Arf (Of You)' as performed in 1987 in Madison.
The same track got re-released on the above mentioned compilation.

NI TOURDATES

Ni is touring.

MARCH
05.03 LYON, Périscope, FR
15.03 LOUVAIN LA NEUVE, Ecuries du Biereau, BE
16.03 HOFHEIM, Jazzkeller, DE
17.03 BASEL, Renee Bar, CH
18.03 MÜNICH, MAJ Musical Monday, DE
19.03 PRAGUE, Bike_Jesus, CZ
20.03 JENA, Kassablanca, DE
21.03 HAMBOURG, MS Stubnitz, DE
22.03 BREMEN, Tor 9, DE
23.03 ZEULENRODA, Schieszhaus , DE
24.03 WÜRZBURG, Immerhin, DE
28.03 BRUSSELS, Recyclart, BE
29.03 PARIS, Cirque Electrique, FR
30.03 TOURS, Super Flux festival, FR

APRIL
12.04 BADEN, Royal Baden, CH
13.04 BERLIN, Das Hintertreffen festival, DE
14.04 MAINZ, Haus Mainusch, DE
20.04 GERARDMER, Geradm'Electric festival, FR

JUNE
07.06 TOULOUSE, TBA, FR
08.06 PAU, Le Cendar, FR

JULY
06.07 VUISTERMENS EN OGOZ, Gibloux festival, CH
27.07 BREITENBACH, Burg Herzberg festival, DE

SEPTEMBER
14.09 MONTPELLIER, Blacksheep, FR

LOWELL GEORGE AND LINDA RONSTADT - LIVE IN MARYLAND '74

• lowell george with linda rondstadt and friends: live in maryland '74
      (2018, cd, uk, roxvox, rvcd2091)

Radio show with special guests Lowell George and Linda Ronstadt.
Lowell performed a couple of songs live in the studio and talks about Little Feat, Roy Estrada and Frank Zappa, among other things.
Not the best quality, but interesting.

SNARKY PUPPY TO PERFORM IN ANTWERP

November 4,
In Antwerp, BE
Unfortunately, standing room only...
https://www.deroma.be/kalender/780//Snarky_Puppy/

November 1,
In Utrecht, NL
*** sold out ***

Here's the other tourdates :
http://snarkypuppy.com/tour
Check them out as they're also playing some festivals !!

EDDIE JOBSON - 1971-1979 THE BAND YEARS

• eddie jobson: 1971 - 1979 the band years
      (2018, 2cd, usa, globe music)

Excellent compilation album that takes a closer look at Eddie Jobson musical output between 1971 and 1979.
It includes 'Lather' (slightly remixed) from Zappa's "In New York" / "Lather" album.

WHEN GIANTS WALKED THE EARTH

Frank Zappa gets mentioned at least ten times in the Led Zeppelin biography "When Giants Walked The Earth".
For instance, there's the origin for the Mud Shark story (actually a Red Snapper).

The  Dutch version looks like this :

FRANK ZAPPA BUYING GUIDE

• frank zappa buying guide
  by rev. keith a. gordon
      (2013, book, usa, excitable press)

The Frank Zappa Buying Guide is a 90-page book that takes a look at (and tries to grade) all of FZ's albums.
Nothing new, but interesting for those who start exploring Zappa's universe

FRANK ZAPPA E I MOTHERS

• frank zappa e i mothers
      (1981, book, italy, el topo)

Flashback to 1981 when the "Frank Zappa E I Mothers" book got published in Italy by El Topo.
160 pages. Mostly lyrics, but also some articles and even a couple of interviews. The articles and interviews are in Italian.

HARDY FOX - HARDY FOX

• hardy fox: hardy fox
      (2019, cd, austria, klanggalerie gg271-2)

Hardy Fox's released a first album as 'Hardy Fox' in 2018.
Out of print, it got re-issued by Klanggalerie with a different album cover.

Here's what Klanggalerie has to say about it :
Hardy Fox often said CDs should come out with different covers to make their packaging more interesting. He created many different covers for his albums, you can see some of them on the bandcamp versions of his releases. For his self titled debut solo album, also known as Heart, Hardy made around 15 different covers. The second edition of it will come with one of his and our favourites that didn't make it in the end....... First solo album by former Residents composer Hardy Fox after the Charles Bobuck era. An album full of minimal love songs, a portrait of the young Hardy Fox. This is what he says about this solo debut: "Here’s a new idea. How about writing a love song? Oh, you say it’s been done, maybe overdone. So why would I be so foolish as to tackle such a subject so fraught with cliches and meaningless sentiment. Probably because I am stupid. But also because I have been led around by love in some form for my entire life. That isn’t really a complaint. Seriously, there is isn’t much in the world that is as interesting as love and its many related variations: attraction, obsession, sexual fantasies, broken hearts. It is the fuel that many of our lives run on. The question remains. Why join the hoard of people trying to say something new about love? I suppose that the emotional state is, more or less, unique to each person. Each of us has our approach to dealing with and surviving the chemical and hormonally driven state of mind. For me, I am still able to love as an older gentleman, but the intensity of love always takes me back to my youth when all was new and strange. Each element that drove sexual exploits had to be explored, considered and digested. Now older, I am able to gain some objectivity to set memories to music. This album is a glimpse into my younger self. Well truthfully, probably not. It is likely yet another fantasy of an aging man, still led around by his dick."

INSOMNIO

Insomnio performed Frank Zappa's "Yellow Shark" in Amsterdam, Tilburg and Utrecht, NL, last February.

It was amazing.
Here's a snapshot of the Utrecht performance : 'G-Spot Tornado', with dancers !!

Insomnio
Ulrich Pöhl: conductor

set one

• Intro
• Dog Breath Variations
• Uncle Meat
• Outrage At Valdez
• Times Beach II
• III Revised
• The Girl In The Magnesium Dress
• Be-Bop Tango
• Food Gathering In Post-Industrial America 1992

set two

• Ruth Is Sleeping
• Amnerika
• None Of The Above
• Pentagon Afternoon
• Questi Cazzi Di Piccione
• Times Beach III
• Welcome To The United States
• Pound For A Brown
• Exercise #4
• Get Whitey
• G-Spot Tornado

HARDY FOX - 25 MINUS MINUTES

• hardy fox: 25 minus minutes
      (2019, cd, austria, klanggalerie / took gg299/took5)

Klanggalerie adds :
Hardy Fox, primary composer for The Residents, incredible solo musician, and the most lovely human being imaginable, has left this world. His last years were amongst his most prolific ever. Hardy stated on his website that he gave up composing music in 2018, but, believe it or not, only one week before his untimely death, he recorded this good-bye (mini)album to his fans. It is the most personal music ever created, a kind of diary, a stream of consciousness with fractured parts, with emotional and contextual shifts and most intimate comments. It is a requiem to himself and a farewell message to you. We think this album is not a 'commercial' release, but a kind of direct communication between him and us, so we are releasing this recording as a limited edition TOOK CD. Hardy and Walter established this label for special limited releases in 2016, and Klang will keep this label alive.

PINIOL

The Dur Et Doux record label will be releasing a Piniol poster, designed by Willy Ténia.
As a bonus, you get a 7 minute live track, Piniol in concert at Ca Fait Zizir.

https://piniol.bandcamp.com/merch/willy-t-nia-design-poster

BACKBACK - BACKO

• backback: backo
      (2009, cd, bel, el negocito records enr03)

BackBack is about to release their fourth album.
In preparation, I added the data for their second release to the United Mutations Archives.

Sublime.

• filip wauters: electric guitar, baritone guitar
• marc de maeseneer: baritone sax, tenor sax, bass clarinet
• giovanni barcella: drums

STEVE VAI - PIANO REDUCTIONS VOL.2 - PERFORMED BY MIHO ARAI

• vai: piano reductions vol 2 - performed by miho arai
      (2019, cd, usa, light without heat lwh1010-2)

The first volume of the "Piano Reductions" series got released fifteen years ago. Arranged and performed on solo piano by Mike Keneally, that first volume made me listen to Steve Vai's compositions in a different way. I loved it. It made me appreciate his music even more.

And now there's Volume 2.
Beautifully performed by Miho Arai, the listener is treated to a fine selection of classic Steve Vai compositions.
Essential listening.

And from five years ago !!

NORDMANN - NORDMANN

• nordmann: nordmann
      (2014, cd, bel, private release)

I was convinced that Nordmann's 2015 "Alarm!" album was their debut (not taking the 10" that they released one year earlier into account).
I couldn't have been more wrong as Nordmann privately released the above pictured eponymous album in 2014.
6 tracks. Modern jazz.
Just great.

-- info: Danny Mathys

JONO EL GRANDE - ARTIFICIAL STUPIDITY

• jono el grande: artificial stupidity
      (2018, digital download, --, itunes)

August 2018, Jono El Grande released his 7th album. On iTunes.
Last month, the album got re-released with a different track order, minus one track and remixed as "Artificial Stupidity (2019 Remix)".

I've been enjoying both releases today. I can't really tell what's the difference as I didn't put them next to each other, but I can tell you that I did enjoy it a lot.

CHRIS OPPERMAN - STUDIO HOUSE EP

• chris opperman: studio house ep
      (2012, digital download, --, itunes)

This 5-track EP got released on iTunes in 2012. I always figured that it would also be out on CD some day, but that didn't happen.
Anyway, a beautiful little album that includes a very fine version of Frank Zappa's 'Blessed Relief'.

Thanks to Andrew Greenaway's Spotify playlist for bringing this one back to my attention.

RECORD STORE DAY

April something. Record Store Day.
Despite the fact that Record Store Day has completely failed to fulfil its purpose, there are a number of interesting releases :

• MARSHALL ALLEN, DANNY RAY THOMPSON, JAMIE SAFT, TREVOR DUNN, BALAZS PANDI W. ROSWELL RUDD : Ceremonial Healing
  
• CAPTAIN BEEFHEART : Trout Mask Replica
  
• FRANK ZAPPA : THE GUITAR WORLD ACCORDING TO FRANK ZAPPA
  
• Acid Mothers Temple - Does The Cosmic Shepherd Dream Of Electric Tapirs?
  
• Residents, The B*** S**
  Previously unreleased, legendary pre-Residents album, an accompaniment to RSD 2018' s successful ' W***** B*** Album' . A must for REsidents fans and collectors, who have long called for its official release.
  
• JOHN CAGE MEETS SUN RA John Cage Meets Sun Ra (DVD !!)
  The never-before-seen in its entirety, visual documentation proving this avant-garde collaboration of mythic proportions did indeed occur. Recorded at Sideshows by the Seashore along the Coney Island boardwalk on June 8th, 1986 as documented on VHS by John Polizzi under the commission of event producers Rick Russo and Bronwyn Rucker. It was long believed that Cage and Ra never performed together but as you’ll see,these two shared the stage the entire time. The VHS footage has been combined with the audio master (containing several silent sections and some mic issues that occurred during the production), which breathes new life into the tiny reels of tape. The silent passages illuminate new auras when presented with the previously unseen visual component, and now over thirty years since it was recorded, you can truly experience the full spectacle. Included here is an additional audio track of commentary featuring Rick Russo. Also included in this package is a 45 RPM record documenting John Cage performing verses from his Empty Words writings while accompanied by Sun Ra. The B side features one of the two "Silent Duets" the two performed together that night.

JONO EL GRANDE

It had been a while since I'd heard something from or about Jono El Grande.

Last year, Jono El Grande released his latest album, "Artificial Stupidity".
Digital download only.
No vinyl or CD release (yet).

FRANK ZAPPA GUITAR WORLD RECORD STORE DAY RELEASE

8 000 copies worldwide

Frank Zappa – The Guitar World According To Frank Zappa (Clear Vinyl LP)

ARISTOCAMP

The rock-fusion instrumental trio The Aristocrats (comprising Guthrie Govan, Bryan Beller and Marco Minnemann) are pleased to announce The Aristocamp! A three-day music camp for fans of all ages which takes place from June 18th to 21st 2019 in Upstate New York.

https://www.aristocamp.com

THE HELIOCENTRICS

I first heard of The Heliocentrics when they collaborated with Mulatu Astatke on "Inspiration Information". Amazing.

More recently, the Strut Records label released this fine album by Orlando Julius and The Heliocentrics.

NEW ALBUM BY THE HARD RUBBER ORCHESTRA

The Hard Rubber Orchestra teamed up with Kenny Wheeler for a new album : "Suite for Hard Rubber Orchestra"

http://www.freejazzblog.org/2019/02/hard-rubber-orchestra-kenny-wheeler.html


-- info: Danny Mathys

MORE SUN RA ON BANDCAMP

A couple of older Sun Ra releases are being made available on Bandcamp :

The 1990 "Hours After" album :



The 1987 "Reflections In Blue" album :



The 1992 "Mayan Temples" album :

FRANK ZAPPA HOLOGRAM

Frank Zappa Hologram Responds To ‘Questionable Content’ In Tour Artwork.

https://www.jambase.com/article/frank-zappa-hologram-video

MONUMENTAL FOLLY

Monumental Folly has just released "Back To The Salt Mines".
A fascinating album.

Some influences on these pieces -- influences on me over the whole course of musical life that, after I had mostly completed these, I thought, “well, there is that.” First, The Residents, because the pieces began with improvisations and are unusual. Second, J.G. Thirlwell in his earlier period, because of maximalism and using the studio as an instrument. Third, The Beatles White Album, because the development of pieces came about by following them wherever they led.