PINK FLOYD TRIBUTE ALBUM

"Still Whish You Were Here", the new Pink Floyd tribute album :

1. Shine on You Crazy Diamond (Parts 1-5)
   Feat. Geoff Tate, Steve Hackett, Billy Sheehan, Mel Collins, Geoff Downes, Ian Paice
2. Welcome to the Machine
   Feat. Todd Rundgren, Rick Wakeman, Tony Levin
3. Have a Cigar
   Feat. James Labrie, Steve Stevens, Patrick Moraz, Rat Scabies, Jah Wobble
4. Wish You Were Here
   Feat. Rik Emmett, Joe Satriani, Edgar Froese, David Ellefson, Carmine Appice
5. Shine on You Crazy Diamond (Parts 6-9)
   Feat. Rod Argent, Steve Hillage, Ian Paice, Bootsy Collins

Welcome to the Machine  -  Feat. Todd Rundgren, Rick Wakeman, Tony Levin

MORE HIGH RES ZAPPA STUFF ON QOBUZ

 Available as high res downloads from Qobuz :

• Hot Rats
• Over-nite Sensation
• One Size Fits All
• Just Another Band From L.A.
• Studio Tan

DANIELE SEPE'S "TRUFFE" SERIES

 Daniele Sepe is offering two albums on Produzione dal Basso, a backer platform.

One of the albums, the fourth volume of"Truffe", classical music and music for movies, includes his version of FZ's 'Little Umbrellas'.

https://sostieni.link/28363

PROJECT Z - FREAK ME OUT, FRANK

• project z: freak me out, frank
      (2021, download, portugal, private release) 

Fans of the early Mothers should most definitely check out "Freak Me Out, Frank" by Project Z.
Initially, the band was known as The Chrome Plated Megaphone Of Destiny, but it morphed into Project Z. The recent Covid pandemic almost turned it into a one man project...
Project Z mastermind Pedro Miguel Silva Marques explains:
"Yes, the album is almost a one man project. Our band almost disbanded during the pandemic and i had to record what i had in storage until then. I didn't want to lose what i had learnt. The first aim of this Project Z as a band was to learn all the freak out record. I wanted to understand better the evolution that Zappa the composer had during his career. So, we proceeded to play the second record. And these 2 are the basis of this record Freak Me Out, Frank. I'm currently mixing and finishing the next record, "We're Starving, Man" a rework of "We're only in It for the money". "

For the moment, the album is available as one mp3 file, without song separation.
Pedro added that the goal is to have it released on CD some day.

If you want the mp3 file, contact Pedro at pmsmarques at netcabo dot pt
It'll cost you 15 euro, but you'll be supporting the band and you'll get some excellent music in return.

I ordered and received my copy (file) last week and I've been playing it ever since.
Great stuff !!

DWEEZIL ZAPPA AND KOFI BAKER ON THE HANGIN' & BANGIN' YOUTUBE SHOW

Hangin' & Bangin' #45 - with Dweezil Zappa and Kofi Baker

CHARLES MICHAEL - THE VIOLET ALBUM

Charles Michael released his version of FZ's 'Mom & Dad' on his "The Violet Album".

Bandcamp release.
Download only.
Track 59 on this quite lengthy album.

ARKESTRA FUNDRAISERS ON ARS NOVA WORKSHOP

from the Saturn newsgroup :

Virtual Fundraiser Honoring Sun Ra Arkestra maestro Marshall Allen

https://www.arsnovaworkshop.org/events/virtual-fundraiser-05-20-2021/

Ars Nova Workshop rallies community support following partial collapse of Sun Ra House in Philadelphia

https://www.arsnovaworkshop.org/news/ars-nova-workshop-rallies-support-following-partial-collapse-of-sun-ra-house-in-philadelphia/

FRANK ZAPPA & THE MOTHERS JIGSAW PUZZLES

Official merchandise: the Frank Zappa & The Mothers jigsaw puzzles.

OSFA, Freak Out, and We're Only In It For The Money are available as jigsaw puzzle !

http://www.zeeproductions.co.uk/index.php/rock-saws/

LALLE LARSSON'S SEAVEN DEADLY SINS

Wow.
Up until today Lalle Larsson released 4 albums and 1 DVD (Seven Deadly Sins).

A couple of days ago, Lalle put the entire "Seven Deadly Sins" DVD on YouTube.
Amazing.

-- info : Dirk Verschaeve

BEAT LOVE ORACLE & HARDSCORE

 Beat Love Oracle has released a second album.
Actually, it's a split CD release by Beat Love Oracle and Hardscore (both projects by Frank Nuyts)

Available from :

https://amarxe.bandcamp.com/album/dont-count-on-us

SRDJAN IVANOVIC'S BLAZIN' QUARTET - SLEEPING BEAUTY

• srdjan ivanovic's blazin' quartet: sleeping beauty
      (2021, cd, usa, moonjune)

Drummer and composer Srdjan Ivanovic was born in Paris. Nowadays, he lives in Paris.
Together with his Blazin' Quartet, Srdjan recorded "Sleeping Beauty" in November 2019.

• Srdjan Ivanovic: drums, keyboards
• Andreas Polyzogopoulos: trumpet
• Federico Casagrande: guitar
• Mihail Ivanov: double bass

Next to the original pieces, the quartet also takes on a two pieces by Ennio Morricone, including the beautiful 'The Man With The Harmonica'.

Beautiful.

In his typical style, special guest Magic Malik adds an extra flavour to 'Guchi' and 'Rue des Balkans'.
I love it.

Contemporary jazz, infused with world music and Balkan elements.
Recommended listening.

Out on the MoonJune Records label.
Available as a digital download and on CD through Bandcamp:

LOWELL GEORGE

Lowell George had recently separated from Little Feat and was touring to promote his solo LP "Thanks I'll Eat It Here". 

Sadly, Lowell passed away June 29, 1979;

• Armando Compean - Bass
• Don Heffington - Drums
• Eddie Zip - Organ
• Peter Wasner - Piano
• Fred Tackett - Guitar
• Jerry Jumonville - Saxophone
• Lee Thornberg - Trumpet
• Maxine Dixon - Backing Vocals
• Lowell George - Lead Vocal & Slide Guitar

1. Intro Jam 00:00​
2. Fat Man in the Bathtub 06:40​
3. Honest Man 11:29​
4. What Do You Want the Girl to Do 15:30​
5. I Can't Stand the Rain 20:38​
6. Easy Money 24:03​
7. Rocket In My Pocket 28:16​
8. A Apolitical Blues 31:41​
9. Two Trains 40:16​
10. Dixie Chicken 45:01​
11. Harlem Nocturne 57:46​
12. Twenty Million Things 1:02:32​
13. Willin' 1:05:42​
14. Spanish Moon 1:11:12

-- info: Danny Mathys

SEBKHA-CHOTT = PLAGIATBROS.

 a message from Sebkha-Chott

Hey boy and girls,

Former Sebkha-Chott team speaking to you! As you probably know, Sebkha-Chott has ended up in 2015 as far as live-shows are concerned and in 2019 for our last release. Still, we're going on with a new project called Plagiat since 2016, and I'm pretty sure you might enjoy it.
You can follow it here: plagiatbros.bandcamp.com,
or straight on our website (in french only, sorry): plagiat.org.

As you will see, there are video clips for every tunes we've published (or almost).
Hope you'll enjoy Plagiat's world and music!
WOII & Nots Awful Mitzahal Michel

PRINCE VAULT RELEASE ANNOUNCED

Prince - Welcome To America

Recorded in the spring of 2010 and then mysteriously archived by Prince before its release, the statement album Welcome 2 America documents Prince’s concerns, hopes, and visions for a shifting society, presciently foreshadowing an era of political division, disinformation, and a renewed fight for racial justice. The album features some of Prince’s only studio collaborations with the bassist Tal Wilkenfeld, drummer Chris Coleman, and engineer Jason Agel, with additional contributions from New Power Generation singers Shelby J, Liv Warfield, and Elisa Fiorillo and keyboardist Morris Hayes, who Prince also recruited to co-produce the album.

Welcome 2 America | Available 7.30.21 - Pre-Order Now! - https://Prince.lnk.to/W2AAY​​ Shop exclusive Prince music and merchandise at the Official Prince Store - https://store.prince.com​​

LAUGHING BASTARDS REVISITED

 A bit over a year ago, the Laughing Bastards released "Unanimal".

• Michel Mast – tenor sax
• Jan-Sebastiaan Degeyter – guitar
• Eline Duerinck – cello
• Nils Vermeulen – double bass
• Marcos Della Rocha – drums

The vinyl album (artwork by Jan-Sebastiaan Degeyter !!) presents 8 tracks. The digital download that comes with the album has one extra track.

Next to the two pieces by John Lurie, "Unanimal" presents compositions by J.-S. Degeyter and by Nils Vermeulen. It all fits together perfectly.
Playful, jazzy and cinematic.
Beautiful.

The recording of a rehearsal of Jon Lurie's 'The Birds Near Her House" will give you an idea of what the band sounds like
Check it out :

Available from Michel Mast (https://www.hamsessions.be/)
or from the Vynilla Record Shop in Ghent, BE. (https://vynilla.be/shop/)

RESIDENTS RSD RELEASE ANNOUNCED

Event: RSD DROPS 2021
Release Date: 6/12/2021
Format: LP
Label: Cherry Red/MVD
Quantity: 1300
Release type: RSD Drops 2021 Jun 12th

The Residents: LeftOvers Again!?!

Side A: Rusty Concentrate / Woopy Snorp RDX / What? / The Idiot Bastard Son of ‘What?’ / Primal Satisfaction / A Visit From Barry

Side B: Loser = Weed RDX / Satisfaction RDX / Ow Bout That (Vocal) / Mourning Glories RDX / Eight Thumbs To Hold You / Crumbling Mountain Sketch / We're A Happy Family RDX / Piano / Fragment 3 / Shut Up RDX / Cosmetics For Reality (Vocal)

DANS DANS - NAIAD

From the upcoming Dans Dans album.

The trio will do a livestream concert from the Ancienne Belgique in Brussels on April 21:

https://www.abconcerts.be/en/agenda/dans-dans/a105J000001wka1QAA

SCHILZ - FREUNDIN

• schilz: freundin
      (1992, lp, ger, private release) 

German graphic artist and musician Alex Schilz released a couple of  LP's as a DIY artist.
His 1992 "Freundin" album got issued in a limited edition, each album cover illustrated by Alex Schilz, resulting in different artwork for every copy.
The above picture was taken from discogs.
My copies have black and white drawings with a black felt-tip pen.

Side two of the album includes Schilz's version of Frank Zappa's 'Trouble Every Day'.

Alex Schilz - - - Corona Blues

GRUPPO SPORTIVO - TOPLESS 16

• gruppo sportivo: topless 16
      (2004, cd, nl, pias)

The story from the liner notes tells that Hans Vandenburg found the "Topless 16" sampler at a local record store at a young age. Unfortunately, the sleeve did not carry the LP. As the record store owner could not locate the actual LP, Hans got the album cover for free. The album cover wound up on his bedroom wall and he never got to hear the music.
Years later, jump to 2004, Hans and his Gruppo Sportivo bandmates decided to compose the music to the album cover.

"Topless 16" offered 16 imaginary songs by Gruppo Sportivo, inspired by the original song titles and band names.

I love it.

NEW ALBUM BY MAHOGANY FROG

MoonJune Records says:

Mahogany Frog's 'In The Electric Universe' is the seventh studio album (third on MoonJune Records) by Canadian instrumental electro-psychedelic outfit based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Six years in the making, the recording illustrates a foray into forms of sonic searching previously unexamined by the group. Building from approaches in orchestration captured on their 2012 effort SENNA, the group aims to create infinitely morphing waves of sound that transcend conventional perceptions of instrumentation, while simultaneously offering melodic and rhythmic closure. Utilizing the gradual unfolding of themes, extensive repetition, textural layering and crunchy, downbeat-heavy grooves, the tunes invoke a listening experience that is trance-like and hypnotic. The extensive employment of synthesized arpeggiators, often detached from the rhythm and irresolute in tempo, generate warm and disorienting backdrops to otherwise approachable structures. Tape loops and tape delay are used experimentally, highlighting decay and fragmentation. The compositions serve as foundations for melodic layering, tonal examination and deconstruction, resulting in a dynamic and colorful collection of music rich in expression, playfulness and resolve.

THE RESIDENTS - FREAK SHOW

• the residents: freak show
      (2021, 3cd, uk, cherry red)

The Cherry Red Records label has re-issued The Residents' "Freak Show" album.
Originally released in 1990 (on CD, on LP and even as a picture disc), the record has now been released as a 3 CD set including singles, live material and even rough mixes of the work-in-progress.

Beautiful.

NEW ALBUM BY THE ARISTOCRATS

The new Aristocrats album,"Freeze! Live in Europe 2020," got captured across Spain in February 2020.

Guthrie Govan - Bryan Beller - Marco Minnemann

 To be released next month.

PIERRE MOERLEN'S GONG

Pierre Moerlen's Gong released "Downwind" in 1979.
The album is getting a re-mastered and expanded CD reissue.

EAGERLY AWAITED RE-PRESS FOR THIS CLASSIC ALBUM BY PIERRE MOERLEN’S GONG FEATURING MIKE OLDFIELD, STEVE WINWOOD & MICK TAYLOR BOOKLET WITH RESTORED ARTWORK, PHOTOS & LINER NOTES.

FRANK ZAPPA - NEWS FROM THE SHARK

• frank zappa: news from the shark
      (2021, dvd-bootleg, germany, erektion records)

Remember DVD-bootlegs?
In 2009, the Erektion Records label released "News From The Shark", a wooden box that contained a dvd, a booklet, a pin and (!!) a wooden shark.
A tribute to the Ensemble Modern and their performance of FZ's "Yellow Shark", presenting the tv-broadcast of the 1992 Frankfurt concert plus parts of the press conference and of rehearsals.
It got released in a limited edition of 50 copies.

More recently, the DVD got re-released as a digipack.

I intro

    1. overture (alte oper frankfurt, september 17, 1992) - interviews: frank zappa, gail zappa 9:02

II rehearsals at joe's garage, los angeles july 1991 & fabrik, frankfurt july 1992

    2. 9/8 objects (joe's garage july 1991) - interview: ali n. askin 1:16
    3. roland's big event / strat vindaloo (joe's garage july 1991) - interview: frank zappa 1:09
    4. master ringo (joe's garage july 1991) 3:24
    5. t'mershi duween (joe's garage july 1991) - interview: ali n. askin 2:20
    6. struwwelpeter experiences (fabrik frankfurt july 1992) - interview: frank zappa 1:01
    7. amnerika (joe's garage july 1991) - interviews: ali n. askin, pierre boulez, gail zappa 2:24
    8. i like that one (fabrik frankfurt july 1992) 0:53

III 9. press conference frankfurt july 21, 1992 5:31

IV the last rehearsals - alte oper frankfurt september 16, 1992
    10. dio fa (joe's garage july 1991) 2:37
    11. food gathering rehearsals (alte oper frankfurt, september 16 1992) 12:16
    12. the minutes before ... 1:40

V the yellow shark at alte oper, frankfurt september 17, 1992 part 1
    13. dog / meat 6:16
    14. be-bop tango 3:09
    15. food gathering in post-industrial america 1992 5:20

VI the intermission & the yellow shark in berlin & vienna
    16. amnerika (philharmonie berlin, september 22, 1992) - incl. moon zappa's quote 3:05

VII the yellow shark at alte oper, frankfurt september 17, 1992 part 2
    17. welcome to the united states 6:36
    18. pound for a brown 3:54
    19. g-spot tornado 6:50

VIII sources
    20. envelopes (the ensemble modern - musik triennale köln 2000) 3:32

THE RESIDENTS - OZARK

• the residents: ozark (the missing bunny boy songs)
      (2021, 2lp, usa, secret records)

In 2008, The Residents began an ambitious project entitled The Bunny Boy. At its heart it was an episodic web series, with installments premiering on YouTube and the Residents official site three days a week. This project lead to a studio album (The Bunny Boy) and a soundtrack of the music used in the videos (Postcards From Patmos) which were both released only on CD. The project went on to be a world tour and even more videos. As the story evolved more songs were written for a Bunny Boy follow up and were released as the limited edition CD, Arkansas. But there were still lots of more song sketches and video music so that lead to a download only album called Ozan. Confused yet? Just wait. THEN in 2011 Arkansas and Ozan were combined with an additional 4 tracks to create a very limited edition CDr.... OZARK! So here we have all those Arkansas / Ozan / Ozark Bunny Boy tunes finally gathered onto a limited edition double LP to go with your Bunny Boy Live double LP. That's a lot of crazy guy in a bunny costume.

Secret Records released "Ozark" as a 2 LP set. Limited edition on coloured vinyl.
Also available as a download through Bandcamp.

DIETMAR BONNEN

From the upcoming "The Others Of Invention - Volume 3" book :

Dietmar Bonnen’s “Lieder Book” compilation series collected material from 40 years of performing and recording with various ensembles. The common element on the “Lieder Book” series was that all the tracks featured Dietmar Bonnen on vocals.

"Volume I" : Bonnen’s version of Frank Zappa / Jeff Simmons' 'Lucille Has Messed My Mind Up' was taken from the 1996 “Watermelon In Easter Hay” album.

“Volume II” in Dietmar Bonnen’s “Lieder Book” compilation series included the Bonnen ensemble’s version of FZ’s 'Trouble Every Day’, taken from the 2000 “You Can’t Judge A Record By It’s Cover” album.

BANANAFISH MAGAZINE

Can't tell you much about Bananafish magazine, but the sampler that came with issue #15 in 2001 included John Crouse's 'Lapses', featuring Stanley Jason Zappa on the saxophone.

THE RESIDENTS - BUNNY BOY - LIVE IN FRANKFURT

• the residents: bunny boy - live in frankfurt
      (2021, 2cd, usa, secret records)

Busy months for Resifriends...
Cherry Red have been releasing beautiful box sets. Klanggalerie is doing a fine job with the Bobuck stuff and earlier material, Psychofon Records is putting out all this collector material, and then there's Secret Records.

Vincent Presley's Secret Records label recently issued "Bunny Boy - Live In Frankfurt", recorded in concert in Germany on December 4, 2008.
The album got released as a 2 LP and as a 2 CD set. Both numbered limited editions.
I received my CD set last week. Fabulous show. It sounds great.

UNCLE MEAT

 FZ's 'Uncle Meat' by Trumpetart.

BOB DRAKE - THE GARDNES OF BEASTLEY MANOR

• bob drake: the gardens of beastly manor
      (2019, cd, uk, rer megacorp)

I received Bob Drake's "The Gardens Of Beastly Manor" as a bonus with a recent order.
Unfamiliar with Bob Drake's work, I have to admit that I'm pleasantly surprised with this album.

22 instrumental, contemporary pieces.
All instruments by Bob Drake.
Album artwork by Peter Blegvad.

Here's a sample:

CHICKN - WOWSERS

• chickn: wowsers
      (2018, lp+cd, eu, inner ear records)

Improvisational rock band Chickn released their "Wowsers" album in 2018.
The album got released on 180 g black vinyl and on green vinyl. Both editions came with a promotional CD copy in a cardboard cover that offered the same set of tracks.

One of the tracks is entitled 'Elevational Love Of Frank Zappa'.

THE CHADBOURNE / GONZALEZ COLLUSION - IRRESPONSIBLE ROCKNROLL SHENANIGANS

• the chadbourne / gonzalez collusion: irresponsible rocknroll shenanigans
      (2021, cd, usa, cia records) 

April 2019, Eugene Chadbourne joined Aaron and Stefan Gonzalez for two concerts. The first one on April 9 at Shoeshine Charley's Big Top Lounge in Houston, TX, and the second one on April 10 at Backyard On Bell in Denton, TX.
A compilation of these two concerts got released on CD.

The album, "Irresponsible RocknRoll Shenanigans", has the trio performing a fine set of tunes including FZ's 'Who Are The Brain Police?' and Don Van Vliet's 'Click Clack' and 'Lick My Decals Off, Baby'.

1. click clack (don van vliet)
2. lick my decals off, baby (don van vliet)
3. saga of the creeks (eugene chadbourne)
4. nonaah (roscoe mitchell)
5. lucifer sam (syd barrett)
6. who are the brain police? (frank zappa)
7. summertime blues (eddie cochran, jerry capeheart)

Excellent album !!

CD (limited edition of 300 copies) and digital download are available through Bandcamp.
Mind you, the new postage rates may surprise you.

THE ARF-DOSSIER VOL.107

Volume 107 of The Arf Dossier got issued last month.
Pictures, reviews, news,... and all Frank Zappa related.
In German for the most part.
It comes with a subscription to the Arf Society.

• the arf-dossier no.107 - 2021/03
  incl.
  
  
• leserpost
• the hot platters heaven from the arf office
• the fine but unauthorized cd kaleidoscope
• the rare pictures gallery
• the fine but unauthorized cd kaleidoscope
• news from belgium - live from United Mutations
• back in time - may 17 1975 kalamazoo
• frank's recommendations
• ullis ecke
• info behind the photo(s)
• fz-beer

BOBUCK - CHUCK'S GHOST MUSIC

• bobuck: chuck's ghost music
      (2021, cd, austria, klanggalerie)

Originally issued solely through the group's now-defunct Robot Selling Device online MP3 store and credited to "The Residents' Talking Light", Chuck's Ghost Music was later reissued as a tour-only USB lanyard, and again later as a CD-R, credited partially as a Bobuck contraption, in 2012. Before his death, Hardy Fox made a new master for the album and also created new artwork. We are now happy to release this beautiful music for the first time ever on a proper CD.

Quite peculiar music to say the least.
Fragments of melodies and dreamy soundscapes.

The CD got released in February and already is out of stock at the Klanggalerie shop.
Fortunately, several shops still carry the album.
Or if you want to go for the digital download :

DENNY WALLEY & HOTA FLOTA BAND

 Denny Walley: Guitar - Jimmy Ågren: Guitar

Morgan Ågren: Drums - Bass: Rolf Hedqvist

ZAPPANALE POSTPONED

 From the Zappanale Team:

Dear Zappanale fans,

First of all, we wish you all Happy Easter holidays. We want to thank you very much for your patience and your loyalty to Zappanale.

During the last few weeks and months, we have done a lot of efforts in order to make the festival happen in 2021. Unfortunately, we were unable to obtain all the necessary permits, neither from the federal government nor on state level. Consequently, it will not be possible to make Zappanale #31 happen in 2021.
Our hope that at least half of the Zappanale visitors were vaccinated and others would accept to be tested is no longer feasible due to political and legal issues.
All the reasons above lead to the result that we have to postpone Zappanale #31 for one more year.
HOWEVER, we are working for you on “Zappanale # 30.75” in July. We have as well in mind to offer unique merch products for this "special event" in order to make the collectors’ and supporters’ hearts happy. With Zappanale #30.5 we could create a great virtual connection among all of us. We will do our best to make such an experience possible again, together with you as our esteemed audience. Thank you again for your positive feedbacks, although knowing that a web based Zappanale can of course not replace a “real” Zappanale in Bad Doberan.
We are sure that the circumstances will allow us to hold Zappanale again in Bad Doberan next year. We are optimistic that musicians, you and the Zappanale Team may be able to get vaccinated and/or other options will allow everybody to visit festivals again. We are looking very much forward to celebrate the end the festival-free period together with you next year, right on the horse racing track in Bad Doberan. There is no need to exchange tickets that have been purchased for Zappanale #31. All tickets remain valid for the year 2022.
As in previous years, the festival will take place on the same weekend in July.
Zappanale # 31: 07/15/2022 - 07/17/2022
Free “Warm-Up Party” at the Kamp in Bad Doberan on July 14th, 2022.

Music is the best!
Stay healthy!
Your Zappanale Team

PROJECT Z PERFORMS THE MUSIC OF FRANK ZAPPA

Portuguese band Project Z is dedicated to the music of Frank Zappa.
The ensemble just finished recording their first album, "Freak Me Out, Frank".

It is available as a digital download.
More info soon.

And to prove that they are serious about this, they already started working on their second album, "We're Starving, Man".

R.I.P. TOM WOUTERS

Tom Wouters is no longer with us.

Rest in peace, Tom.

Flat Earth Society, with Tom on the vibraphone :

Flat Earth Society, with Tom on vocals :

FRANK ZAPPA - THE NORDIC STORIES

The excellent "Frank Zappa - The Nordic Stories" book that got released last year (in a limited numbered edition of 100 copies) has been reprinted.

Frank Zappa - The Nordic Stories is a collection of stories, interviews, anecdotes from the Nordic countries accompanied by about 250 unpublished photos that range from the first tour in 1967 to the last in 1988. Written by people who met him as fans several times by some became friends with Zappa. Photos varies from pro-shots to guerilla shots. Hardcore fans will find a lots of rarities. The book contains set lists, ticket stubs, posters and much more of curiosities. The entire Nordic region is represented, each with its own chapter.

This new and second edition of the book (300 copies) has some minor changes and corrections but also includes some extra pictures. And Hans Annéllsson's story of recording 'Penis Dimension' and getting the permission of Gail Zappa to record it. 

Great pictures and amazing stories of fans.
If you don't have a copy of this book yet, you should order your copy today.
https://www.absoluttforlag.no/

HOTEL X

Hotel X
'Barefeet' from the "Hymns For Children" album, 2003.
Written by Ron Curry.

Feat. Ron Curry (guitar), Tim Harding (sax), Kelli Strawbridge (piano), Lance Koehler (drums), Jeff Morris (percussion).

STEFAN SCHEIB'S CARTOON MUSIC

Stefan Scheib's "Cartoon Music" album got released in 2008.
Next to a couple of pieces by Raymond Scott, the album also includes one (and a half) FZ piece.

More info soon.

-- info: Filip Schepers 

TRIO GRANDE - TRIO GRANDE

• trio grande: trio grande
      (1994, cd, belgium, igloo)

Michel Massot (tuba, trombone), Michel Debrulle (drums, percussion) and Laurent Dehors (clarinet, sax) released their first album as Trio Grande in 1994.

It all started with Trio Bravo (Michel Massot, Michel Debrulle and Fabrizzio Cassol), a trio that released four albums between 1985 and 1990. 
Trio Grande (Michel Massot, Michel Debrulle and Laurent Dehors) recorded five albums between 1994 and 2016).
Both Debrulle and Massot are also part of the Rêve d'Eléphant Orchestra.

Beautiful.

FLAT EARTH SOCIETY

Belgian big band Flat Earth Society is changing its name to Flat Earth Society Orchestra and celebrates the event with a new website.

https://flatearthsocietyorchestra.com/

May 28, the Flat Earth Society Orchestra will release "Boggamasta III".
On vinyl and as a digital download.
The digital download will offer two extra tracks.

Available for pre-order from May 14 on.

BURO APOSTROPHE

 
"Buro Apostrophe"

http://www.buroapostrophe.nl/about/

A Dutch business that provides info / management / marketing for cultural projects...

--   info: Jan van Kemenade

ZAPPOSTROPHE

Issue 144 of the Czech Frank Zappa Fanzine, Zappostrophe, will be released in April.
The cover will look like this :

NEW STUFF. ALBUM AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER

Belgian band Stuff.

FRANK ZAPPA ALBUMS AVAILABLE AS HIGH QUALITY DOWNLOADS

6 Frank Zappa albums have been made available in 192 kHz / 24-bit at
https://www.prostudiomasters.com/

MARKUS REUTER PODCAST #16 : MIKE KENEALLY

Markus Reuter and Mike Keneally: discussing the impact of COVID, recording, and much more.

ZAPPA AUCTION AT CATAWIKI

 

There's a Zappa auction going on over at Catawiki.

https://www.catawiki.be/a/453179-frank-zappa-veiling

It ends later today.

-- info: André Oomen

MATS ÖBERG'S ZAPPA TRIBUTE ALBUM TO BE RELEASED ON VINYL

Mats Öberg's "Frankful" album is one of the most beautiful Frank Zappa tributes I know.

The album is going to be released as a 2LP set next week.

https://matsberg.bandcamp.com/album/frankful 

ZAPPA - - - THE MOVIE

A couple of weeks ago, I received my blu-ray copy of "Zappa", the 'official movie backer edition'.

The movie itself has 10 chapters.

1. Birth Of An Artist
2. The Music Takes Hold
3. The Mothers vs. The World
4. Zappa's Rise
5. An Ear Unlike Any Other
6. Constant Flux
7. Rock Ad Roll Heyday
8. Marking Art In A Corporate World
9. Fighting Windmills
10. The Last Days

Blu-ray bonus material:

• Zappa Q&A
• Vault Nugget : FZ On The Synclavier  -  shot by Van Carlson, August 1985
• Vault Nugget: The Way It Was  -  shot by Van Carlson, 2000
• Vault Nugget: Frank And The Pig  -  Circus Krone, Munich 1978
• Vault Nugget: Haskell Wexler & Uncle Meat  -  shot by Frank Scheffer, 2000
• Movie Outtake: Mike Keneally
• Movie Outtake: Steve Vai
• Movie Outtake: Ruth Underwood
• Apostrophe (') Ad  -  1974

In the meantime, the (regular) DVD also arrived.

DVD bonus material:

• Vault Nugget: Frank And The Pig  -  Circus Krone, Munich 1978
• Vault Nugget: Haskell Wexler & Uncle Meat  -  shot by Frank Scheffer, 2000
• Apostrophe (') Ad  -  1974

RÊVE D'ELEPHANT ORCHESTRA - POURQUI PAS UN SCAMPI?

• rêve d'éléphant orchestra: pourquoi pas un scampi?
      (2010, cd, belgium, werf records)

Ten years ago, the Rêve d'Eléphant Orchestra released their third album, "Pourquoi Pas Un Scampi?".
The septet continued to confuse their audience: Is this a little big band, an enlarged ensemble, or just a group of musicians that enjoys making music?

Tuba, trumpet, flute, guitar, drums and lots of percussion,

Give it a try.

HENRY KAISER WEEKLY SOLO #51

Henry Kaiser : Weekly Solo #51 : AC/DC + Iggy + Beefheart + Canned Heat
w/Jimmy Ågren & Scott Colby

IKE WILLIS FUNDRAISER

 
Ike Willis is well known for his smooth voice and rhythm guitar playing with Frank Zappa. He has kept Frank's music alive for decades after Frank's tragic passing to Prostate cancer. Sadly Ike has fallen ill to the same aggressive cancer and desperately needs our help. He has obviously not toured in over a year due to Covid and has no funding to buy the medication needed to fight this cancer. Please contribute what you can; every little bit helps.

https://gofund.me/f380b720

PIERRE VERVLOESEM - RUDER

Belgian guitar player and composer Pierre Vervloesem is releasing one album every month.
For me, listening to Pierre's music is like a vitamin shot. It improves my (mental) health.

"Ruder", as Pierre explains in the liner notes, is a sequel to his 2005 "Rude" album.
But even if you're not familiar with the 2005 album, this new album is must-hear.

"Ruder" presents 7 instrumental, guitar oriented rock tracks that will keep you glued to your headphones.
Incomparable.
Essential listening.

 

DON KAPOT

Brussels-based trio Don Kapot has a new album out.
Vinyl, CD or digital download. All available through Bandcamp.
Released on the WERF Records label, the album is a fine introduction to this adventurous and powerful ensemble.

ALICE SARA OTT - SATIE : GNOSSIENNES : 1. LENT

Erik Satie's 'Gnossiennes" performed by Alice Sara Ott.

-- info: Harald Häring

JUICY LUCY

Next May, Beat Goes On Records will re-issue the first three Juicy Lucy vinyl albums as a 2CD set. 

It will include FZ’s ‘Willie The Pimp’, previously released on the 1970 “Lie Back And Enjoy It” album.

STEPHAN THELEN - FRACTAL GUITAR 2

• stephan thelen: fractal guitar 2
      (2021, cd, usa, moonjune)

Moonjune Records has just released Stephan Thelen's "Fractal Guitar 2" album.

Zürich, Switzerland-based composer and guitar player Stephan Thelen started recording the successor to his 2019 "Fractal Guitar" album in November 2019.
With the huge (and impressive) list of participating musicians in times of COVID, I suppose that most of the album got recorded sending files back and forth.

The result is very impressive.
Futuristic sounding, guitar-oriented, instrumental progressive rock.
My cup of tea.

Available through Bandcamp as a digital download, but also on CD.
Give it a listen !

SUN RA EXPO IN CHICAGO

Sun Ra, The Substitute Words: Poetry, 1957-72
March 26 - April 24, 2021

Corbett vs. Dempsey art gallery
Main Gallery

https://www.corbettvsdempsey.com/2021/02/25/sun-ra-the-substitute-words-poetry-1957-72/

MISSING PERSONS BOX SET

• missing persons: the album collection
      (2021, 3cd, usa, rubellan remasters)
  

The Rubellan Remasters record label re-issued the first Missing Persons albums. From the time that the band consisted of Patrick O'Hearn, Terry Bozzio, Warren Cuccurullo, Chuck Wild and Dale Bozzio.

In more recent times, Dale Bozzio has recorded and released material as Missing Persons but that's not the topic for this little 3 CD box set.
"Spring Session M" (1982), "Rhyme & Reason" (1984) and "Color In Your Life" (1986). All three remastered and with lots of bonus material.

The three discs have been released seperately, but,for the occasion, Rubellan also released them in a box package, limited to 500 copies.
Nice? Yes.
Does it sound good? Yes.
Missed opportunity? Well, yes, as I expected the 'box' to be a bit more than just a cardboard box that one can slide the CDs in. An additional booklet would have been nice...

https://www.rubellanremasters.com/online-store/Missing-Persons-The-Album-Collection-3-CDs-Box-p275577807

Anyway.
Missing Persons.

MICROTONAL GUITAR

Listening to King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard and searching for 'microtonal guitar' on Youtube, brought me to Dave Fiuczynski.

:

KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD

A little while ago, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard started the Official Bootlegger project, offering record labels the opportunity to release one of their albums as they please.

The Belgian-based Exag' Records is going for it:

We're thrilled to announce that we're taking part of the King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Official Bootlegger by offering you a unique release and sharing the profits with our EXAG Belgian artists during the crisis.

Brussels 2019
https://exagrecords.bigcartel.com/product/king-gizzard-the-lizard-wizard-live-in-brussels-19

Demos
https://exagrecords.bigcartel.com/product/king-gizzard-the-lizard-wizard-demos-vol-1-2

LES BOUCLES ABSURDES

 Jean-Pierre Jonckheere presents a new album by Les Boucles Absurdes :

"États d'Arme / Fredem"

Inspired by the art of Frédérick Meert : http://www.fredem.be/#accueil

DALE BOZZIO

From last year:
Dale Bozzio on the new Missing Persons album and memories of Frank Zappa
 
https://www.goldminemag.com/fabulous-flip-sides/dale-bozzio-on-the-new-missing-persons-album-and-memories-of-frank-zappa

DANS DANS

Belgian trio Dans Dans will be releasing their new album next month.
Already available for pre-order.

FRANK ZAPPA 10 CD BOOTLEG RADIO SHOW BOX

 "Frank Zappa Live" is a rather new 10 CD box set that collects several 'radio shows' recordings. (Zappa shows that have been broadcast on the radio and for which the rights no longer belong to the ZFT).
Familiar sounding names and dates so nothing new, I guess.

STEVE VAI - KNAPPSACK

https://www.guitarworld.com/news/steve-vai-unveils-new-song-knappsack-which-he-shreds-entirely-with-one-hand

As he recovers from trigger finger and shoulder surgery, the virtuoso offers up a scorching playthrough that would be near-impossible for most players with two fully functioning hands;

TRIO BRAVO

Belgian jazz ensemble Trio Bravo recorded a handful of albums during the late eighties.

Featuring:

• Fabrizio Cassol (soprano and alto sax) (Aka Moon)
• Michel Massot (tuba, trombone) (Rêve d'Eléphant Orchestra)
• Michel Debrull (drums) (Rêve d'Eléphnat Orchestra)

Their excellent "Quatrième Monde" release has been made available through Bandcamp.
From 1990. Their final album.

STEVE GADD AND WALT FOWLER

Trumpet player Walt Fowler has been part of the Steve Gadd Band for quite some years now.

The latest Steve Gadd Band album got recorded December 2018 at the Blue Note club in Tokyo, Japan.

"At Blue Note Tokyo".

Here's the trailer that was used to promote the concert:

KEITH EMERSON TRIBUTE ALBUM

Various Artists: Fanfare for the Uncommon Man: Official Keith Emerson Tribute Concert

Concert recording from the El Rey Theatre in L.A., May 2016.

Featuring familiar names from the Zappa Universe : Eddie Jobson, Vinnie Colaiuta, Rachel Flowers and Joe Travers.

The trailer:

STUFF.

 
Belgian band STUFF. announced a new album.

'KWIBUS' will appear on the forthcoming STUFF. album "T(h)reats" to be released via Sdban Ultra. Part one of our live series shot at KMSKA museum Antwerp.

JEFF RICHMAN

The https://lamusicadeperev11d1.blogspot.com/ blog recently listed quite a number of Jeff Richman albums.

I was told that the complete list featured Vinnie Colaiuta (8 times), Ralph Humphrey (2 times), Peter Wolf  (3 times), Chad Wackerman, Mike Miller (Fowler Brothers) and Joel Taylor (Band From Utopia) (4 times).

-- info: Jan van Kemenade

CAL SCHENKEL AND FRANK ZAPPA IN ZONE 5300

The latest issue of Zone 5300 (Dutch mag with a focus on comics, culture & curiosa) will have an article by Kjell Knudde on Cal Schenkel & Frank Zappa.
Can't wait !!

ALLAN HOLDSWORTH

Recorded for German television, and released by Manifesto Japan last month:

Allan Holdsworth in concert in Leverkusen 1997.
Chad Wackerman on the drums, Dave Carpenter on bass.

Remastered on released on CD + DVD.

Note that there's a (bonus) interview with Chad Wackerman on the DVD !!

COMPOSER TO COMPOSER TALKS - CARL STONE WITH FRANK ZAPPA (1988)

Recorded in 1988 in Frank Zappa’s home, this conversation was originally commissioned by a Japanese magazine and was to this day never broadcast. Covering a wide range of topics from compositional methods, issues in the music industry, to the rise of the religious right, the conversation holds a surprising contemporary relevance. Recorded shortly after the release of Zappa’s album Jazz from Hell (1986), the conversation addresses various compositional and instrumental particularities of the work. The two specifically talk about the use of the Synclavier, an early digital synthesizer and digital sampling system. They also talk about the parameters outside of composition that have to be taken into consideration, like how the music is going to be performed and in what context it is going to be experienced. Leading to a discussion on creativity and freedom in creativity, Zappa places the reception of the audience as a key element in composition choices. From that follows a harsh critique of music schools, the state of contemporary music at large, and the emphasis put on avant-garde for the sake of avant-garde. Switching to the world of pop music they raise the constraints imposed on musicians by the music industry, whose interest is more often than not in the money than in musical innovation. They further chat about issues of creative control in the industry, and the notable exception of Prince with Warner Bros. In the last part of the conversation Zappa shares his feelings on receiving the 1988 Grammy Award for the Best Rock Instrumental Performance for the song “Jazz from Hell”. The conversation then leaves the strict musical realm and unfolds into politics, and ends with Zappa posing a Japanese kanji quiz.

PAUL VAN GYSEGEM QUINTET - SQUARE TALKS

• paul van gysegem quintet: square talks
      (2021, cd, bel, el negocito records)

September 19, 2019, the Paul Van Gysegem Quintet performed at JazzCase at the Dommelhof in Pelt, Belgium.
Next to Paul Van Gysegem (double bass), the ensemble featured Cel Overberghe (tenor and soprano sax), Patrick De Groote (trumpet and flügelhorn), Erik Vermeulen (piano) and Marek Patrman (percussion and trumpet).

This is improvised music at its best. Spontaneous, interacting, both giving and taking space.
Beautiful.

Released on the El Negocito Records label.

RACHEL FLOWERS - MONTANA

 
Rachel Flowers (& The Rachettes) : Montana

VAN KOOTEN & DE BIE

40 years ago, watching the TV in Belgium meant that you could choose between 2 Flemish channels, 2 Walloon channels and a couple of channels from neighboring countries like The Netherlands, Germany and France.
Speaking Flemish, we mostly watched the Flemish channels and the Dutch ones.

One of the shows that I remember enjoying a lot was Van Kooten & De Bie.
Their Humanistisch Verbond TV show on VPRO TV made fun of everything. I liked it a lot.

Van Kooten & De Bie kept on doing TV shows.
Here's an episode from 1996 that I had never seen before.
It's in Dutch but you'll get the drift.
It definitely wasn't the first time they dragged some Zappa references in their little movies.

-- info: Jan van Kemenade

AMERNET STRING QUARTET - ALABAMA STRING QUARTETS

• amernet string quartet: alabama string quartets
      (2021, 2cd, usa, msr classics)

The Birmingham Art Music Alliance (BAMA) is a non-profit organisation that promotes music by Alabama composers and that initiate concerts of contemporary music.
It's BAMA that made this recording possible: a 2 CD set by the Amarnet String Quartet performing chamber music of 14 living composers from Alabama.

Quite an undertaking and a splendid idea.
The results is a quite diverse and a pleasant introduction to Birmingham's contemporary chamber music scene.
Beautiful.

Released on the MSR Classics label:
https://www.msrcd.com/catalog/cd/MS1685

LAZULI - DÉNUDÉ

• lazuli: dénudé
      (2021, cd, france, bzz 042)

The official release date for French prog rock band Lazuli's new album is March 16, 2021. That's exactly one year after their latest live concert.
As the title suggests, "Dénudé" (naked & unplugged) offers 16 'unplugged' versions of pieces that got released on their previous albums.

It looks like French and Belgian mail are working better as foreseen as I already received my copy of the album today.
Beautiful !
These stripped down versions only emphasize Lazuli's strongest qualities: melodic songs with impressive (and sometimes evening threatening) guitar sounds.
Love the acoustic piano !!

The CD is available through the band's website:
https://lazuli-music.com/

THE OTHERS OF INVENTION - - - MARCH 11 UPDATE

Volume 1 and 2 of The Others Of Invention book series got released a couple of weeks ago.

“The Others Of Invention” lists bands and artists that have recorded and released compositions that were written by Frank Zappa. It also includes recordings that Frank Zappa contributed to, a handful of tributes, and even a couple of albums that include references to Frank Zappa.

Want to know who recorded and released 'The Black Page'? Or 'Twenty Small Cigars'?
You can find it The Others Of Invention.

Volume 1 = FZ discography + Others Of Invention 1966 -> 1999  (444 pages)

Volume 2 = Others Of Invention 2000 -> 2012  (422 pages)

Volume 3 = Others Of Invention 2013 -> 2020 + Zappanale productions + composition and artist index for the 3 volumes.

(This one should be out in about a month, maybe two.)

The black and white paperbacks are available through Amazon.com, Amazon France, Germany, Spain and Japan.. Print-on-Demand.

The luxurious full colour hardcover versions are available through a Dutch on-line book shop. Also Print-on-Demand.
https://www.boekenbestellen.nl/

All carry the amazing artwork by Maximiliano Lopez Barrios.

If you want to order a paperback copy, pick an Amazon location near you to avoid high shipping costs.
A paperback copy = 30 US $ (or 26 €), plus shipping.

A hardcover copy is more expensive (72 € plus shipping (and these are heavy books as each volume counts over 400 pages)).

I was informed that almost 25 copies of each Volume (counting both paperback and hardcover) have been ordered and have arrived or are on their way to Zappa enthusiasts all over the world, including Japan. That makes me happy. Hope you enjoy it.

GARY LUCAS - THE ESSENTIAL GARY LUCAS

• gary lucas: the essential gary lucas
      (2021, 2cd, usa, knitting factory records)

"The Essential Gary Lucas" 2 CD set takes a closer look at Gary's 40 year career.
The first CD focusses on recordings with his Gods And Monsters band, while the second CD takes a closer look at his solo work and various collaborations.

Nice. Very nice.

Track 17 on disc one, is Gary's 'King Strong', a piece that is based on FZ's 'King Kong' and even quotes it.
(previously released on the 1992 "Gods And Monsters" album.)

THE FRANK ZAPPA RUSSIAN RELEASES COMPENDIUM

 
Last year, Burkhard Schempp released a book about Frank Zappa's vinyl bootleg albums.
A limited edition of 100 copies, it is an essential reference book for vinyl bootleg collectors (or people who like to look at pictures and labels of vinyl bootleg albums)

Last month, Burkhard, with the help of Thomas Weckenmann, published "The Frank Zappa Russian Releases Compendium".
The 528-page book (leather cover, hard back) lists CD counterfeits and pirate copies, the infamous 'mp3-collection' CD's and lots of other stuff.
This is pretty obscure material.
The book got produced in a limited edtion of 30 copies (which I think is still impressive for such a subject) and is almost sold out.
Go to Burkhard's Viva Vincent website for more info:
http://www.vivavincent.de/

VINNIE COLAIUTA - DESCENT INTO MADNESS

Former Zappa drummer Vinnie Colaiuta has recorded a new album, "Descent Into Madness".

Available for licensing from A-Tone Recordings / Extreme Music.

-- info: Luc Reniers

RALPH HUMPHREY

Prasanna Ramaswamy's 2003 "Be The Change" album featured Ralph Humphrey on drums.

BLACK FLOWER

Nathan Daems' Black Flower.

"Abyssinia Afterlife" was their second album. From 2013.

JEAN-PAUL ESTIEVENART

Jean-Paul Estiévenart used to play the trumpet for The Wrong Object.
He can be heard on five of their albums (2005 - 2009).

In the meantime, Jean-Paul has made quite a name in the Belgian jazz scene.
"Wanted" was his first solo album. It got released on CD in 2013 by the Belgian W.E.R.F. record label and was recently made available through Bandcamp.

UNITED MUTATION, THE BAND

Only found out about this recently.

United Mutation, the band :
https://dischord.com/release/RADIO028/dark-self-image

Originally founded in 1980 under the name Dark Self Image by brothers Jay and John Fox, United Mutation sprang from musical influences most hardcore punks either ignored, or denied knowing existed. The dementedly tranquil sounds of The Grateful Dead, the lysergic space rock of Hawkwind, and the complex arrangements of the ultimate anti-hippie Frank Zappa were some of their favorites, but when local punk bands started to pop out their own self-financed vinyl, it inspired them just as much — if not more — as those rare bits of strangeness major labels would release from time to time. Informed in equal parts by self-released singles from their local favorites the Teen Idles and ½ Japanese, the band came upon their own unique sound which combined the breakneck pace of hardcore with a frantic and cathartic take on psychedelia.

RICHARD BORGE

 
Sometimes, the artwork and the music are a perfect fit.

Artwork by Rich Borge,
https://www.theispot.com/stock/rborge

Album by Gov't Mule