JEAN-LUC PONTY

New album announced :

Jean-Luc Ponty & Wofgang Dauner: Live at the Bern Jazz Festival 2011

CD release

NATHAN DAEMS QUINTET - PRATEN DIALECT

•  nathan daems quintet: praten dialect
      (2010, cd, bel, werf records)

Belgian saxophonist (and flutist) Nathan Daems released "Praten Dialect" (Talk / Dialect) in 2010.
Although the eastern elements are already present on "Praten Dialect", Nathan took it one step further with his Ragini Trio, and also with Black Flower.

Over ten years old, the album sounds as it got recorded yesterday.
Beautiful.

Nathan Daems: tenor & soprano saxophone, Turkish clarinet
Fulco Ottervanger: piano, keyboard & effects, Fender Rhodes
Bart Vervaeck: electric guitar
Sebastiaan Gommeren: double bass
Simon Segers: drums

In the meantime, Nathan Daems has scheduled a nice batch of concerts with Black Flower.
Check these dates out, as he might be playing in your neighbourhood.

• 16/02 AB, Brussel, BE
• 22/02 Handelsbeurs, Gent, BE
• 24/02 Bimhuis, Amsterdam, NL
• 25/02 Grounds, Rotterdam, NL
• 26/02 Kelderfest, Deventer, NL
• 15/03 CC Diest, Diest, BE
• 16/03 New Morning, Paris, FR
• 19/03 Burg Vischering, Lüdinghausen, DE
• 01/04 N9, Eeklo, BE
• 08/04 CC Ter Vesten, Beveren, BE
• 15/04 4AD, Diksmuide, BE
• 24/05 Jazzfrühlung, Kassel, DE
• 25/05 Die Fabrik, Frankfurt, DE

NICOLA ANDRIOLI FEAT. KURT ROSENWINKEL

NICOLA ANDRIOLI TRIO feat. KURT ROSENWINKEL

at L'An Vert, Liège, BE

Saturday, February 5, 2022

Presenting their new release, «Skylight»

• Nicola Andrioli – piano, Fender Rhodes, anolog synth
• Stéphane Galland – drums
• Federico Pecoraro – electric bass
• Kurt Rosenwinkel – guitar

https://heartcore.fanlink.to/skylight

 

MATT DEMELLO - A SIDEWALKER'S SWEET REVENGE

Matt Demello's latest release got recorded live in concert.
It includes a fine version of FZ's 'Eat That Question', mixed with the James Bond theme.
I like it.

The Bandcamp download comes with a bonus 10-minute jam version of the same piece (with special guest J.M.Smig)

JOE TRAVERS TALKS ABOUT HIS EDGARD VARESE RECORD COLLECTOIN

Joe Travers discusses the Varèse albums in his collection.

NEW JETHRO TULL ALBUM

The new Jethro Tull album, "The Zealot Gene", will be out tomorrow.

Jethro Tull returns with its first album of all-new music for 22 years. Evoking Biblical writings in a wholly different way from the now 51 year old Aqualung, The Zealot Gene - in the making since 2017 - is a darker album for darker times.

J.M.SMIG - CRANK CALLS FROM HEAVEN

On his Bandcamp page, J.M.Smig added the following info to his "Crank Calls From Heaven" album :
"Computer jazz for murderous nerds."

I can't say that I fully understand the murderous nerds pun, but Computer Jazz might indeed be an adequate description for "Crank Calls From Heaven".

I like this.

 

CHATO PLAYS VAI

Chato Plays Vai

 

15 QUESTIONS - - - PIERRE VERVLOESEM

15 Questions - - - Pierre Vervloesem

https://www.15questions.net/interview/pierre-vervloesem-shares-his-creative-process/page-1/?

STEF KAMIL CARLENS

Stef Kamil Carlens.
'Lament On General Smedley D. Butler'
From the "Making Sense Of" album.
Featuring Nathan Daems on saxophone.

Check out the new tour dates: https://stefkamilcarlens.be/#tourdates

PAULINE BUTCHER'S BOOK GETS RE-ISSUED

This new, revised and updated edition of Freak Out! My Life with Frank Zappa by Pauline Butcher will be released in a slightly smaller paperback “B” format.

https://www.amazon.com/Freak-Out-Life-Frank-Zappa/dp/0859655709

-- info:  Bohouš

GREG RUSSO'S COSMIK DEBRIS

As you may know, Greg Russo updated his essential "Cosmik Debris" book again.
It was made available as pdf but also as a print-on-demand book last November.

I have several of copies of this book as I usually buy it when an update is made.
Love browsing through these. Always new info to be found and things to discover.
This latest edition counts 480 pages...

Subtitled "The Return Of The Son Of Revised²", this is the fifth edition of the book, with each edition adding extra info and data.

Here are some of the many interesting items shown unedited for the first time in Cosmik Debris:

• The Look Magazine article that interested Zappa in the music of Edgard Varèse
• The Varèse and Stravinsky LPs that became Zappa's first album purchases
• The complete rundown of the Pal/Studio Z era (1961-1965)
• The Brian Lord and Junier Mintz singles that all other books claim weren't released!
• The infamous 1965 'Studio Z raid' front page article in the Ontario Daily Report newspaper
• A detailed analysis of the classical composers that influenced Frank Zappa
• 'Conceptual Continuity Clues' for each album
• The most complete gig list ever!
• An absolutely amazing discography and session list going up to the end of 2021

Ordering info:
http://www.crossfirepublications.com/zappa.html

ZAPPA - THE WIND BAND YOU NEVER HEARD IN YOUR LIFE

https://www.caenlamer-tourisme.fr/agenda-evenements/zappa-the-wind-band-you-never-heard-in-your-life/

ZAPPA - THE WIND BAND YOU NEVER HEARD IN YOUR LIFE

Théâtre d'Hérouville
Square du Théâtre
14200 HEROUVILLE-SAINT-CLAIR
France

La Parade de l'Homme-Wazoo mentions the following program :

• Montana / Let’s Make The Water turn Black/ Big Swifty / Son of Mr Green Genes
• Regyptian Strut
• Boléro
• I’m the slime /The idiot bastard son / Pygmy Twylyte
• Blessed Relief
• Opus 4
• Inca roads
• Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus
• The grand Wazoo
• Projet X / King Kong
• Duke of prunes
• little umbrellas
• Waka jawaka / Oh No / Zombie woof
• Naval aviation / G spot tornado
• Peaches en Regalia

LES BOUCLES ABSURDES - BELGIAN SUMMER

• les boucles absurdes: belgian summer
      (2022, download, --, bandcamp)

Les Boucles Absurdes (Absurd Lines or Nonsensical Loops) are none other than Jean-Pierre Jonckheere and Pierre Vervloesem.
"Belgian Summer" is their fifth album (as Les Boucles Absurdes) and it's not their most uplifting one.
As the liner notes on Bandcamp explain :
The new album from Les Boucles Absurdes is based on the terrible events that occurred during the 2021 summer in Belgium. Rain, cold, floods, mud, storms and the rest of the titles depict what was the worst time ever in the country.

In a world that is moving faster and faster and where truth and fiction are increasingly difficult to distinguish, it is necessary to look back once in a while.

Even if you don't like what you see.

"Belgian Summer" is a captivating album, but with a haunting undertone.
Instrumental, unclassifiable contemporary rock.

Recommended listening !!

BUCKETHEAD

It has been a while since I've mentioned Buckethead on these pages.
As it happened, based on the music that I had already purchased on Bandcamp, the very same Bandcamp informed me that Buckethead had a new album out.
It does prove that whatever software they are running to get to know my taste in music is rather impressive.

And it looks like Buckethead has been rather busy the last years, releasing an enormous amount of material.

His latest release is called "Rainbow Theatre".

DANIEL JOHNSTON

Chapter two in the "Underground" comic book that I recently mentioned is all about David Johnston. 

Reading his biography on wikipedia left me with mixed feelings: fascination but also sadness.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Johnston

Daniel Johnston's NPR Music Tiny Desk concert :

Eddie Vedder performing a Daniel Johnston piece:

Beck:

MATS & MORGAN UPDATE

The Japanese edition of Mats & Morgan's "40th Anniversary Box Set" presents 7 CD's.
That's one more than the European version.
The Japanese box sets that can be ordered from Morgan Ågren's Bandcamp page, will also include the bonus disc that came with the Japanese edition of the "35th Anniversay Colletion" set. So that's 8 CD's in total...

The bonus discs:

ARNAUD LE GOUËFFLEC & NICOLAS MOOG - UNDERGROUND

When I mentioned (and ordered) this book a couple of days ago, I expected it to be some sort of pocket sized book... Was I wrong...

"Undergound" is a large (24 x 32 cm), hardcover bound book that counts over 300 pages.
It's all bandes dessinées. It's a gigantic comic book presenting short stories about the musical artists that made an everlasting impression on the authors, Arnaud Le Gouëfflec (writer) and Nicolas Moog (artist).

Quite some familiar sounding names in there, as well as lots of names that need some investigation.
The Residents, Sun Ra, Raymond Scott, Merrell Fankhauser, Eugene Chadbourne, Captain Beefheart,...
But also: Colette Magny, Tall Dwarfs, Eliane Radigue,...

The book kicks off with a 5-page story on Moondog, the New York Viking.
I decided to read this book while listening to some of the artists' music. I assume it's intended to do it like this.
I'm already convinced that there are quite some discoveries to be made.

Published by Glénat. In French. More info:

https://www.glenat.com/1000-feuilles/underground-9782344042182

As I said, I started with Moondog.

MANUEL HERMIA

Manuel Hermia's latest album, "Freetet", is out on Igloo Records.

Featuring Manuel Hermia on saxes, Joao Lobo on drums, Manolo Cabras on double bass, Jean-Paul Estiévenart on trumpet and Samuel Blaser on trombone.

Modern jazz.

Manuel Hermia continues his libertarian adventure with Freetet, a modern quintet that brings together his two long-time companions (Manolo Cabras and Joao Lobo) and a high-flying brass section (Samuel Blaser and Jean-Paul Estiévenart) to explore the question of freedom through the prism of free jazz

Give it a listen at: https://www.igloorecords.be/album/freetet-manuel-hermia/, where you can also order the album.

NORAH JONES - COME AWAY WITH ME

• norah jones: come away with me
      (2002, cd, usa, blue note)

Guilty pleasure or plain beautful?
Sure, I knew Norah Jones' music (and I quite liked it) but I had never actually listened to an entire album.
"Come Away With Me" was Norah's first full album, after a 2001 EP called "First Sessions".

It's far more bluesy than I had expected. A fine mix of pop, jazz, blues and even some country.
What a voice...

A pleasant reacquaintance.

DINO & THE CHICKS

Released in November 2020.

Dino & The Chicks = Rudy Trouvé, Elko Blijweert, Stef Kamil Carlens and Jeroen Stevens

Out on CDEP.
Available through Bandcamp or from your favourite record shop.

UNDERGROUND

"Underground", a comic book by Arnaud Le Gouêfflec & Nicolas Moog

Looks pretty interesting to me !

https://www.glenat.com/1000-feuilles/underground-9782344042182

-- info: Philippe Lamoot

ANOTHER HARDY FOX RELEASE ANNOUNCED BY KLANGGALERIE

From the Coming Soon news section on the Klanggalerie website:

Ibbur is soundtrack music connected with Hardy's serialized novella The Stone, published by himself on his website and through a newsletter. The Stone was a semi-autobiographical project that took a turn into the fantastical. An amazing read, it is still available through hardy fox.com.

PIERRE VERVLOESEM GROUP IN CONCERT

Pierre Vervloesem Group
Saturday - January 29, 2022
Salle Viala
24 rue des Riches-Claires
1000 Brussels (BE)

• Pierre Vervloesem - guitar
• Bruno Vansina - saxophone
• Nicolas Dechêne - bass
• Laurent Delchambre - drums

Pierre Vervloesem tire ce qu’il y a de meilleur du “compromis à la belge” : l’aspect expérimental des thèmes Jazz, la rythmique folle et énergique de la crème du Rock, le côté entraînant et sans limites de l’univers électronique. C’est un grand guitariste, atypique, dans la lignée de Frank Zappa, qui a collaboré sur des albums d’anthologie. Cette fois-ci, pour la première de toute sa carrière, Pierre Verloesem va jouer en « live » ses propres compositions. Il s’entoure des meilleurs pour proposer un travail de qualité saupoudré d’une touche de folie qui fait sa marque de fabrique.

Pierre Vervloesem brings out the best of the "Belgian compromise": the experimental aspect of jazz themes, the crazy and energetic rhythm of the best of rock, the driving and limitless side of the electronic universe. He is a great guitarist, atypical, in the tradition of Frank Zappa. This time, for the first time in his career, Pierre Verloesem will play his own compositions live. He surrounds himself with the best to offer a quality work sprinkled with a touch of madness that is his trademark.

 

BERT DOCKX TO RELEASE A SECOND SOLO ALBUM

Unday Records says:
We’re happy to announce Bert Dockx has been working on a follow up to ‘Transit’, his successful solo debut. ‘Safe’ will be the second album Bert Dockx (Dans Dans, Flying Horseman, Ottla, Strand) releases under his own name. ‘Safe’ is scheduled for release on LP/CD/DSP in March, but this double A side single will ease the wait.

BRUNO VANSINA 5-TET - 12 12

From the RAT Records website:
https://cargocollective.com/ratrecords

In 2018 Bruno Vansina went on a musical adventure. Every month, his band visited a quirky place: an ice rink, motorway, velodrome or fair. The challenge: to incorporate the location into their music making. Now this concept is transposed into a studio recording.

• Bruno Vansina (alto saxophone, keys, percu)
• Benjamin Sauzereau (guitar)
• Cyrille obermüller (bass)
• Falk Schrauwen (percussion)
• Teun Verbruggen (drums)

The actual album got released early 2020.
The CD was housed in a cardboard cover that, in turn, was housed in a second cardboard cover.
This second cover, the larger one, the actual album cover, existed in 12 variations, representing each of the tracks.

The below album cover (taken from the RAT Records website) is variation number 12: 'L'Orgue'.

In the meantime, this studio album has been remixed and remasterd by Pierre Vervloesem. It got re-released on Bruno's Bandcamp page and also on CD, entitled "1212 Indoor"

The "12 12 Outdoor" album that got released at the same time as the "12 12 Indoor" one, Bruno presented the live recordings from the different locations.
The original video recordings can be found here : https://vimeo.com/twaalf
The (audio) album got released through Bandcamp.

Love the concept.
Great tunes.
Check it out.

THE MOTHERS 1971 TRACKLIST

https://www.zappa.com/news/zappas-legendary-1971-fillmore-east-run-and-shocking-final-rainbow-theatre-gig-commemorated

THE MOTHERS 1971 – SUPER DELUXE EDITION (8CDs)
SUPER DELUXE DIGITAL EDITION (8 CDs EQUIVALENT) 

CD 1: FILLMORE EAST, NEW YORK CITY, NY, JUNE 5, 1971 – SHOW 1
1. Peaches En Regalia
2. Tears Began To Fall
3. Shove It Right In
4. Status Back Baby
5. Concentration Moon – Part 1
6. The Sanzini Brothers (Sodomy Trick)
7. Concentration Moon – Part II
8. Mom & Dad
9. Intro To Music For Low Budget Orchestra
10. Billy The Mountain
11. King Kong
TOTAL TIME: 79:00

CD 2: FILLMORE EAST, NEW YORK CITY, NY, JUNE 5, 1971 – SHOW 2
1. Peaches En Regalia
2. Tears Began To Fall
3. Shove It Right In
4. Intro To Music For Low Budget Orchestra
5. Billy The Mountain
6. Little House I Used To Live In
7. The Mud Shark
8. What Kind Of Girl Do You Think We Are?
9. Bwana Dik
10. Latex Solar Beef
11. Willie The Pimp
TOTAL TIME: 74:13

CD 3: FILLMORE EAST, NEW YORK CITY, NY, JUNE 5, 1971 – SHOW 2 (CTD; TRACKS 1-6)
1. Do You Like My New Car?
2. Happy Together
3. ”Any Chord Of Your Choice”
4. King Kong – Part I
5. Lonesome Electric Turkey
6. King Kong – Part II
FILLMORE EAST, NEW YORK CITY, NY, JUNE 6, 1971 – SHOW 1 (TRACKS 7-15)
7. Fillmore Improvisation
8. Peaches En Regalia
9. Tears Began To Fall
10. Shove It Right In
11. Status Back Baby
12. Concentration Moon – Part I
13. The Sanzini Brothers (Sodomy Trick)
14. Concentration Moon – Part II
15. Mom & Dad
TOTAL TIME 70:44

CD 4: FILLMORE EAST, NEW YORK CITY, NY, JUNE 6, 1971 – SHOW 1 (CTD; TRACKS 1-4)
1. The Story Of Billy The Mountain
2. Intro To Music For Low Budget Orchestra
3. Billy The Mountain
4. Chunga’s Revenge
FILLMORE EAST, NEW YORK CITY, NY, JUNE 6, 1971 – SHOW 2 (TRACKS 5-8)
5. “Herd Of Cattle”
6. Peaches En Regalia
7. Tears Began To Fall
8. Shove It Right In
TOTAL TIME: 70:48

CD 5: FILLMORE EAST, NEW YORK CITY, NY, JUNE 6, 1971 – SHOW 2 (CTD)
1. The Story Of Billy The Mountain
2. Intro To Music For Low Budget Orchestra
3. Billy The Mountain
4. “Conglomerate Assembly”
5. Little House I Used To Live In
6. The Mud Shark
7. What Kind Of Girl Do You Think We Are?
8. Bwana Dik
9. Latex Solar Beef
10. Willie The Pimp
11. Do You Like My New Car?
12. Happy Together
TOTAL TIME: 74:39

CD 6: FILLMORE EAST, NEW YORK CITY, NY, JUNE 6, 1971 – SHOW 2 (CTD)
JOHN & YOKO ENCORE SET (TRACKS 1-6)
1. Well
2. Say Please
3. King Kong
4. Aaawk
5. Scumbag
6. A Small Eternity With Yoko Ono
RADIO SPOT, SINGLE VERSION, B-SIDE & OUTTAKES (TRACKS 7-10)
7. Homemade Radio Spot
8. Tears Began To Fall – Single Version
9. Junier Mintz Boogie – Single B-Side
10. Homemade Radio Spot Outtakes
BONUS HYBRID CONCERT: HARRISBURG/SCRANTON, PA 1971
STATE FARM SHOW ARENA, HARRISBURG, PA, JUNE 3, 1971 (TRACKS 11-20)
11. Peaches En Regalia
12. Tears Began To Fall
13. Shove It Right In
14. Status Back Baby
15. Concentration Moon – Part I
16. The Sanzini Brothers (Burning Hoop Trick)
17. Concentration Moon – Part II
18. Mom & Dad
19. My Boyfriend’s Back
20. Tiny Sick Tears
TOTAL TIME: 70:19

CD 7: BONUS HYBRID CONCERT: HARRISBURG/SCRANTON, PA 1971
STATE FARM SHOW ARENA, HARRISBURG, PA, JUNE 3, 1971 (CTD; TRACKS 1-3)
1. Call Any Vegetable
2. The Story Of Billy The Mountain
3. Intro To Music For Low Budget Orchestra
STATE FARM SHOW ARENA, HARRISBURG, PA, JUNE 3, 1971 & WATRES ARMORY, SCRANTON, PA, JUNE 1, 1971 (TRACK 4)
4. Billy The Mountain
WATRES ARMORY, SCRANTON, PA, JUNE 1, 1971 (TRACKS 5-6)
5. Willie The Pimp
6. King Kong (Outro)
RAINBOW THEATRE, LONDON, ENGLAND, DECEMBER 10, 1971 (TRACKS 7-9)
7. Zanti Serenade
8. Peaches En Regalia
9. Tears Began To Fall
TOTAL TIME: 77:25

CD 8: RAINBOW THEATRE, LONDON, ENGLAND, DECEMBER 10, 1971 (CTD)
1. Shove It Right In
2. “Pain In The Ass”
3. Divan: Once Upon A Time
4. Divan: Sofa #1
5. Pound For A Brown – Part I
6. Super Grease
7. Pound For A Brown – Part II
8. Sleeping In A Jar
9. Wonderful Wino
10. Sharleena
11. Cruising For Burgers
12. “That’s Your Tough Luck”
13. King Kong
14. I Want To Hold Your Hand
TOTAL TIME: 75:19

MATS & MORGAN

Mats & Morgan's "40th Anniversary Box Set" came with a bonus disc in Japan.
Morgan has now made these recordings (demos from 1987-1989) available through Bandcamp.

FRANK ZAPPA'S FILLMORE EAST BOX SET

• THE MOTHERS 1971 - SUPER DELUXE EDITION (8CDs)
  
  
• SUPER DELUXE DIGITAL EDITION (8 CDs EQUIVALENT)
  
  
• LIVE AT FILLMORE EAST, JUNE 1971 - 50TH ANNIVERSARY (3LP)
  
  
• RAINBOW THEATRE (3LP)

Frank Zappa’s legendary 1971 Fillmore East run in NYC and shocking final Rainbow Theatre gig in London with The Mothers gets proper 50th Anniversary Commemoration with definitive eight-disc boxed set, The Mothers 1971.

This astonishing amount of unreleased live material unearthed from The Vault contains every note played over four shows across two nights that closed Fillmore East, including the famed John Lennon and Yoko Ono encore; plus full final show at the Rainbow Theatre in London newly mixed by Eddie Kramer, bonus hybrid Harrisburg and Scranton, PA concert and more.

The complete collection is also available digitally in standard and hi-res audio.

An expanded Fillmore East – 1971 50th Anniversary Edition featuring a new remaster of the original album, along with bonus tracks and period-perfect mixes by Zappa, not found on the boxed set; and the Rainbow Theatre concert, will be released concurrently as 3LP sets. Read additional details and track listing on Zappa.com.

https://www.zappa.com/news/zappas-legendary-1971-fillmore-east-run-and-shocking-final-rainbow-theatre-gig-commemorated 

Available on March 18 via Zappa Records/UMe

 

THE RESIDENTS - WOW DEMOS

Walter Robotka's Austrian Klanggalerie record label recently released the second set of "The Wonder Of Weird" demos.
= 2 digipack albums, 4 CD's, 43 tracks.
I listened to the second volume today and it only confirms that I have to listen to the original WOW album again one of the next days.
There are some great tunes to be found here.
Still need to check which pieces made the final album and which ones didn't.

The Wonder of Weird tour was the second part of The Residents' Randy, Chuck and Bob Trilogy of live tours (following 2010's Talking Light tour), The Wonder of Weird focuses on the theme of sex, with its lead character Randy further detailing the story of his life, now ruined by a sex addiction. Like Talking Light before it, The Wonder of Weird featured a stripped down trio line-up of Randy Rose (vocals), Charles Bobuck (keyboards/electronics), and Lionel Bob (guitar). The group wear variations of the same masks previously featured in Talking Light, with the addition of Santa outfits and classic Residents t-shirts. Despite the Christmas theme in the costumes and set designs, the show began at the end of January (and ended in May). A running gag in the show is that despite being subtitled "The 40th Anniversary Tour", it actually ended up taking place on the group's 41st anniversary. Before the band took to the road, demo versions of the songs were recorded - first in stripped down version, later with added vocals and guitar. Many of the songs made into the final show, some didn't.

VITALSKI EN DE LIVING TORNADO'S - RAZZIA

• vitalski en de living tornado's: razzia
      (2005, cd, bel, mental records)

I recently came across a copy of Vitalski's "Razzia" album and I couldn't resist to buy it.
Vitalski (real name Vital Baeken) is a Belgian writer and performer.
I never had the pleasure to see him in concert, but I have heard some impressive stories...
With his band, De Living Tornado's, Vitalski delivered raw and unbridled punk rock. In Flemish.
Does humor belong in music?

GOV'T MULE - HEAVY LOAD BLUES

Started the day by giving the latest Gov't Mule album, "Heavy Load Blues", another spin.
The album got released last November.
Next to the regular single CD edition, a 'deluxe' 2 CD set got released. The latter presented 8 bonus tracks. Not just demo or live versions, but 8 new tracks.

the regular version

the 2 CD set came in a different colour

Here's the official video for 'Make It Rain' :

MAGMA'S 1973 "MDK" ALBUM GETS A VINYL RE-RELEASE ON COPPER-COLOURED VINYL

from GlassOnyon PR :

MAGMA “MDK” Limited Edition Vinyl of 2000 Numbered Copies Available January 18th

Limited edition of 2000 individually numbered copies on copper-colored vinyl. The album is housed in a gatefold sleeve with a copper foil finish on the front of the sleeve.

The only survivors of the previous formation, Christian VANDER and Klaus BLASQUIZ, surrounded by a renewed team of musicians, invested in the studios of the Manor in Oxford in 1973, to record their “MEKANIK DESTRUKTIW KOMMANDOH,” the album considered by many to be the conductor of work of MAGMA. A long piece articulated in seven movements, “MDK” went through a long gestation period before reaching its final state of achievement. The progress made between the short 45rpm version of the previous formation, where brass work predominated, and the one presented on this album, is considerable. All the credit goes to Christian VANDER who, now alone, will irreversibly take charge of MAGMA’s artistic destiny.

If the group’s instrumental performance has gained even more power, notably with the arrival at the bass of Jannick TOP, whose playing is revealed in perfect symbiosis with the spirit of the music of Christian VANDER, what strikes above all on “MDK” is the epic breath that emerges from the masterful work accomplished by the section vocal. Propelled by an inexorable rhythm and reinforced by a female choir where Stella VANDER appears for the first time, the voices of Klaus and Christian come to haunt our minds with these magnificent songs that seem straight from our collective memory, giving MAGMA’s music a timeless and universal character.

THE BROTHERS MCLEOD

One year in seven minutes.
One second = one day.

Fascinating.

MARKUS REUTER - TRUCE 2

• MARKUS REUTER: touch guitars AU8, soundscapes, synthesizers, treatments
• FABIO TRENTINI: fretless bass, fretted bass, electric upright bass, synth bass
• ASAF SIRKIS: acoustic drums, percussion

After the 2019 "Truce" album, the trio is back with the sequel.
Wow !!

 

NEW YĪN YĪN ALBUM AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER

The Age Of Aquarius by YĪN YĪN will be released early March.

JUANITA EUKA - NALINGI MOBALI

Congolese vocalist and London Afrobeat Collective frontwoman Juanita Euka;
Album out on Strut Records on 25th March

 

TYLER MITCHELL FEATURING MARSHALL ALLEN - DANCING SHADOWS

Out on the Mahakala record label:

Tyler Mitchell feat. Marshall Allen: "Dancing Shadows".
Digital download and CD.

-- info: Danny Mathys

KATIE JACOBY

You might know Katie Jacoby from playing the violin in the Ed Palermo Big Band.

Here's 'Clara Jane' from Katie Jacoby's self-titled debut EP :

And here's Katie with the EPBB, perfoming a Frank Zappa tune !!

FRANK ZAPPA IN AMOUGIES 1969

February 2019, Br1tag put an almost 3-hour video up on YouTube.
It was a collection of audio and video fragments, all taken from the famous 1969 Amougies festival.

Br1tag added:

ACTUEL FESTIVAL was to take place in France in October 1969, but the French authorities canceled the authorizations at the last minute. It was moved hastily in Amougies (Belgium). It was a rock-pop-jazz festival. FZ was invited to play, but The Mothers was dissolved, so he participated as a Master of Ceremonies and played in many jam sessions with various groups. 

Jérôme Laperrousaz and jean-Noël Roy made a long film (documentary + concerts). It was broadcast a couple of times on TV, but then it was lost. Only a few pieces have been saved. It would be great to find footage of Art Ensemble Of Chicago, Don Cherry, Archie Shepp, John Surman, Anthony Braxton ... Who knows if they will ever find?

I have long tried to find all the fragments that had been saved here and there and now I decided to put it all together. I worked a lot to edit the fragments of footages, synchronize them and improve the sound quality of the concerts, especially the amateur recordings (which were very bad!)

00:00 PART 1 intro (photographs + mix festival music by East Of Eden, Gong, Archie Shepp)

02:48 PART 2, documentary included:
17:49 The Nice
21:57 Yes
22:18 Colosseum
28:50 Pink Floyd

PART 3, concerts video:
35:05 Captain Beefheart
40:35 Pink Floyd
1:06:30 Frank Zappa/Pink Floyd

PART 4, FZ’s jam sessions (amatorial sound recordings - in this section I combined music with pieces of documentary footage, to maintain the atmosphere of the festival):
1:20:20 Sam Apple Pie
1:26:25 Caravan
1:34:18 Pink Floyd
1:54:46 Aynsley Dunbar
2:01:50 Blossom Toes
2:28:02 Captain Beefheart

A short story, in French :

And for those who understand, a better documented piece in Flemish / Dutch :

BRUNO VANSINA - PRESENTING THE DEMONS OF SHAME

• bruno vansina: presenting the demons of shame
      (2021, cd, belgium, private release)

Subtitled "Bruno Vansina Invites Pierre Vervloesem", this second album by The Demons Of Shame got released as a download album on Bandcamp last October.
Last week, it also got a CD release.
It would have been nice if I had been informed about this when the album was made available in October. I would have waited for the CD (as I still prefer to have the physical object in my environment, even when the music sounds exactly the same).
Anyway, after having bought the download in October, I also bought the CD last week. After all, it still is an excellent album.

If you don't believe me, try it out yourself:

LE TOUT SUR LE TOUT - ALL ABOUT ALL

• le tout sur le tout: all about all
      (2021, download, --, cuneiform / bandcamp)

Cuneiform Records is pulling the Bandcamp card.
The label will be releasing a series of download-only albums through Bandcamp.
Not on CD or LP. Just download.

Anyway, the new TST (Le Tout Sur Le Tout) album, "All About All", is an impressive release.
Not really new material as it got recorded over 20 years ago, but it only got released last month.

The Bandcamp page adds:
"...combining the power of rock and the energy of improvised music, experimentation and song, strict writing and free improvisation, electric and acoustic sound."

DAVID LIEBMAN, ELLERY ESKELIN, TONY MARINO, JIM BLACK - FROM THE ARCHIVES - DIFFERENT BUT THE SAME - LIVE IN SWITZERLAND

Experiment jazz saxophone player Ellery Eskelin has been releasing a number of live concerts on Bandcamp.
One of the recent ones, was a concert he did with David Liebman (tenor sax), Tony Marino (bass) and Jim Black (drums) in Switzerland in 2005.

Very enjoyable.
And while listening, I read David Liebman's piece about Miles Davis:
https://davidliebman.com/home/ed_articles/miles-and-me/

Reminder to myself: Have to dig out Machine Mass's "Inti" album...

From the Archives: Different But the Same - Live in Switzerland, 2005

 

OUZO BAZOOKA - DALYA

Ouzo Bazooka.

https://www.ouzobazooka.com/

Ouzo Bazooka was formed in Tel Aviv by Uri Brauner Kinrot, who grew up on the sunny shores of the mediterranean sea and has been active in the music scene for over a decade, shaping the sound of influential local groups as well as the critically acclaimed mediterranean surf band Boom Pam (who collaborated with Turkish psychedelic-folk legend Selda Bağcan).

Tel Aviv’s cultural diversity served as the perfect backdrop for Ouzo Bazooka’s formation and the maturing of their style; an exotic blend of middle eastern sounds and scales, moulded together with fuzzed psychedelic surf rock and garage.

Ouzo Bazooka's latest album, "Dalya", got released last August.
I got introduced to "Dalya" (and to Ouzo Bazooka) yesterday, and I have to admit that it was the last thing that I listened to yesterday evening, as well as the first thing I listened to this morning.

• ouzo bazooka: dalya
      (2021, lp, uk, stolen body records)

Middle Eastern Psych Rock.
Love it.

The band's material is available from Stolen Body, with on-line shops both in the UK and on mainland Yurip.
A wise decision with Brexit and recent new custom regulations.
But most probably also from any decent record shop.

https://www.stolenbodyrecordseu.com/

https://www.stolenbodyrecordseu.com/

THE RESIDENTS - A SIGHT FOR SORE EYES - UPDATE

Copies of the new book about The Residents, "A Sigh For Sore Eyes", are being made available in Yurip and in the UK.

Both Psychofon (DE) and Cherry Red (UK) are offering copies.
FYI, there's also a deluxe version that comes with some extras.

Here's the info for both (US):

https://www.melodicvirtue.com/collections/the-residents/products/the-residents-a-sight-for-sore-eyes-vol-1

https://www.melodicvirtue.com/collections/the-residents/products/the-residents-a-sight-for-sore-eyes-vol-1-deluxe-edition

ANTOINE PIERRE'S URBEX

A couple of months ago, Antoine Pierre's URBEX Electric band recorded concert at Studio 104 for French Radio.
Thanks to Cosmikd, a recording of this concert is available on DimeADozen.

Antoine Pierre URBEX Electric
Studio 104, la Maison de la Radio et de la Musique, Paris, France
September 25, 2021

https://www.antoinepierremusic.com/

Antoine Pierre (drums), Jean-Paul Estiévenart (trumpet), Bram de Looze (piano), Renier Baas (guitar), Félix Zurstrassen (electric bass), Frédéric Malempré (percussion)

Abstract : Peace * Steam * Intro * Sketches of Nowhere * Aux Contemplatifs * intro * Obsession

THE RESIDENTS ON SPOTIFY

I don't really use Spotify, but Cherry Red Records shared this link entitled "The Residents - The Studio Albums", which opens Spotify with a gigantic playlist.
Shouldn't really call this an introduction...

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/05zl75AJiKdg8wCyxEk9kE?

THE DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND PLAYS JELLY ROLL MORTON

• the dirty dozen brass band: plays jelly roll morton
      (1993, cd, usa, columbia)

"The Dirty Dozen Brass Band Plays Jelly Roll Morton" offers 15 tracks.
All of the pieces received the typical Dirty Dozen Brass treatment.
Excellent versions of some fine tunes.

I wasn't too familiar with Jelly Roll Morton's music. This album is a great introduction.

Here's 'Jungle Blues':

FIDO PLAYS ZAPPA TOURDATES

After rescheduling the tour two times, here's another attempt.

Let's hope this one can happen :

See FiDO Live on their upcoming "20 Jahre und noch immer schlechte Laune"-Tour 2022

29.01.2022 CH-Liestal - Hear And Now
18.02.2022 DE-Bordesholm - Savoy
19.02.2022 DE-Minden - Jazzclub
20.02.2022 DE-Bremen - Meisenfrei
21.02.2022 DE-Köln - Yard Club
22.02.2022 DE-Leipzig - Horns Erben
23.02.2022 DE-Berlin - Frannz-Club
24.02.2022 DE-Rüsselsheim/Main - Das Rind
25.02.2022 DE-Jena - Kulturbahnhof
26.02.2022 DE-Hildburghausen – Route 66
27.02.2022 DE-Dortmund - Piano
07.05.2022 CH-Basel - Atlantis

 

GONG - LIVE À LONGLAVILLE 27/10/1974

• gong: live à longlaville 27/10/1974
      (2021, 2cd, europe, madfish records)

The latest Gong album will take you to 1974.
To a concert from the early years when the band featured Daevid Allen (guitar, vocals), Miquette Giraudy  (vocals), Didier Malherbe (sax, flute), Steve Hillage (guitar, vocals), Tim Blake (synthesizer), Mike Howlett (bass), and Laurie Allan (drums).

I'm glad that I got the opportunity to listen to this album.
Gong is a required taste and I'm not always convinced. I have heard and seen them when their improvisations were just too messy and the vocals a bit too monotonous and nasal (probably because I couldn't understand them). Sacrilege?
But, "Live À Longlaville" has the band in great shape. I love the tunes, soundscapes and improvisations. And the vocals are varied and clear.
Love it.

A fine archival release. Out on 2 CD and on 2 LP.

Here's a recording from another 1974 concert, to give you an idea of what to expect :

REBIRTH::COLLECTIVE

Facebook said: "Jazz nonet founded and led by Belgian trombonist Dree Peremans, performing mainly his own compositions and arrangements."

Which was reason enough for me to investigate and I'm glad that I did.
Mini big band, the Rebirth::Collective brings both jazz standards and original material in a rather traditional way.
And there's nothing wrong with that. It sounds great.

In contrast with their first three (instrumental) albums, their latest release, "It Might As Well Be Swing" from 2021, has Tutu Puoane on vocals.
Nice.

Dree Peremans (trombone), Jo Hermans (trumpet, flugelhorn), Bruno Vansina (alto sax), Wietse Meys (tenor sax), Joppe Bestevaar (baritone sax), Ewout Pierreux (piano), Jos Machtel (bass), Matthias De Waele (drums), Tutu Puoane (voice).

The Rebirth::Collective has 4 albums out. All on the Soulfactory record label.
www.soulfactory.be
www.rebirthcollective.com

MARBIN - BACKING TRACKS - AGGRESSIVE HIPPIES

Marbin has released the backing tracks for their "Aggressive Hippies" album.
Comes with pdf lead sheet.

 

GINGERBLACKGINGER

More news from the Jazzlab organisation : 

Yannick Peeters' recent project is called GingerBlackGinger

• Yannick Peeters: double bass
• Claron McFadden: vocals
• Frederik Leroux: guitar
• Frans Van Isacker: sax, clarinet
• Jim Black: drums

They kick off their tour in about ten days :

• 16.01 KAAP, Oostende, BE
• 19.01 30CC, Leuven, BE
• 21.01 Rataplan, Borgerhout, BE
• 26.01 Handelsbeurs, Gent, BE
• 27.01 CC De Abdij, Geraardsbergen, BE
• 29.01 CC Muze, Heusden-Zolder, BE
• 06.02 kunstencentrum nona, Mechelen, BE

BRUNO VANSINA QUINTET ON TOUR

Excellent news from Jazzlab:

Bruno Vansina Quintet tour is back on track :

Jan 12 - kunstencentrum nona, Mechelen, BE
Jan 13 - CC De Werf, Aalst, BE
Jan 20 - CC De Meent, Alsemberg, BE
Jan 21 - C-Mine, Genk, BE
Feb 03 - CC Casino, Koksijde, BE
Feb 04 - Handelsbeurs, Gent, BE

Here's the intro clip from almost two years ago :

FLORENCE MARLY "SPACE BOY" 10" ACETATE FOR SALE ON EBAY

https://www.ebay.com/itm/234296839901?hash=item368d2e0edd:g:Lw8AAOSwXaBhHAf1

Extremely rare 10" one sided Acetate of a song written and performed by the star of "Planet of Blood" aka "Queen of Blood". Of interest mainly due to the fact that Frank Zappa provided drums and orchestration. I believe that this is the only one in existence.

FLASHBACK TO X-LEGGED SALLY

April 17, 1994, X-Legged Sally did a concert in Cologne.
A little while ago, an audio recording was put on YouTube :

It sure proves that X-Legged Sally was one of the best bands ever to emerge from Belgium.

Line-up : 

• Peter Vermeersch: sax, clarinet, vocals
• Bart Maris: trumpet
• Michel Mast: sax
• Pierre Vervloesem: guitar, vocals
• Daan Vandewalle: keyboards
• Paul Belgrado: bass
• Danny Van Hoeck: drums

ROBBIE KRIEGER'S JAM KITCHEN

Robbie Krieger's Jam Kitchen featured Arthur Barrow, Tommy Mars and Chad Wackerman.

A recording of a concert the band did at Warner Park in 2013 (or 2012) is available on DimeADozen.

ALTIN GÜN AT EURSONIC 2021

March 8 2022 at 20h15, Altin Gün & Moğollar will perform at the Muziekgebouw in Eindhoven, NL

MUSHROOM - SONGS OF DISSENT: LIVE AT THE MAKE OUT ROOM 8/9/19

• mushroom: songs of dissent: live at the make out room 8/9/19
      (2021, cd, usa, light in the attic)

In June 1997, Mushroom played their first-ever show at The Make Out Room in San Francisco, which was released on CD in 2006. Twenty-two years later, they returned to that venue to record 'Songs Of Dissent' with three of their original members including drummer Pat Thomas.

Psychedelic rock band Mushroom got founded in 1996. "Songs Of Dissent: Live At The Make Our Room 8/9/19" is their fifteenth release !
Rather repetitive and trippy, but they do perform a piece called 'Kraut Mask Replica' (previously released on their 2007 "Yesterday, I Saw You Kissing Tiny Flowers" album).

Here's a recent interview with (Mushroom Mastermind) Pat Thomas:

MARBIN TOURDATES

 Marbin is touring again !

• JAN 06 - Shank Hall, Milwaukee, WI
• JAN 07 - Gabe's, Iowa City, IA
• JAN 08 - Vangarde Arts, Sioux City, IA
• JAN 09 - 1867 Bar, Lincoln, NE
• JAN 10 - Other Side, Minden, NE
• JAN 11 - Stella's Pinball Arcade & Lounge, Greeley, CO
• JAN 12 - The Lodge at Woods Boss, Denver, CO
• JAN 13 - The Hanging Tree Cafe, Pueblo, CO
• JAN 14 - Society Hall, Alamosa, CO
• JAN 15 - Mesa Theater, Grand Junction, CO
• JAN 16 - El Camino Lounge at Motel SOCO, Pagosa Springs, CO
• JAN 17 - Moonlight Lounge, Albuquerque, NM
• JAN 19 - Notoriety, Las Vegas, NV
• JAN 20 - T-Bar Social Club, June Lake, CA
• JAN 21 - Torch Club, Sacramento, CA
• JAN 22 - Blue Lagoon, Santa Cruz, CA
• JAN 23 - Full Circle Brewing Co, Fresno, CA
• JAN 24 - Universal Bar and Grill, Los Angeles, CA
• JAN 25 - Red Moon Ale House, Yuma, AZ
• JAN 26 - Last Exit Live, Phoenix, AZ
• JAN 27 - Truth or Consequences Brewing Company, Truth or Consequences, NM
• JAN 28 - Railroad Blues, Alpine, TX
• JAN 29 - Big Sandy Music Hall, Big Sandy, TX
• JAN 30 - Margaritaville Resort Casino, Bossier City, LA
• FEB 01 - Sidney's Saloon, New Orleans, LA
• FEB 02 - Duling Hall, Jackson, MS
• FEB 03 - Four Quarter Bar, North Little Rock, AR
• FEB 04 - Marbin (live show + clinic) [Small Room-Downstairs], Memphis, TN
• FEB 05 - John Brown's On the Square, Marion, IL
• APR 01 - Kenny's Westside Pub, Peoria, IL
• APR 02 - Blackbird, Urbana, IL
• APR 03 - Rose Music Hall, Columbia, MO
• APR 04 - The Outland, Springfield, MO
• APR 05 - George's Majestic Lounge, Fayetteville, AR
• APR 06 - Minibar, Kansas City, MO
• APR 08 - Acadia Cafe, Minneapolis, MN
• APR 23 - The Cobra, Nashville, TN
• APR 24 - The Nick, Birmingham, AL
• APR 25 - Smith's Olde Bar, Atlanta, GA
• JUN 30 - 2nd Street Stage 2021, Park Rapids, MN

The band added:
We are selling only 100 Dirty Horse VIP Packages which you can get here for $100: https://marbinmusic.bandcamp.com/merch/dirty-horse-vip-package-limited-edition
They include:

1. Download link to the music from our upcoming album, Dirty Horse, IMMEDIATELY with purchase (the album won't be officially released for at least 4-6 months), and the entire package as soon as it's ready to ship (between 2-4 months)
2. Physical CD
3. Physical limited edition booklet about music: How to Stop Sucking: The Incomplete Guide to Improving Your Musical Abilities (only available as part of the VIP Package). This is the first time we are putting out educational material and you can be one of the 100 people who have it.
4. Limited edition Marbin trucker Hat (only available as part of the VIP Package) only 100 will be made

WADADA LEO SMITH - NAJWA

• leo wadada smith: najwa
      (2017, cd, finland, tum records)

Compared to Wadada Leo Smith's recent "The Chicago Symphonies" album, "Najwa is remarkably more accessible.

Paying tribute to his musical heroes, Wadada Leo Smith dedicates the four pieces to Ornette Coleman, John Coltrane, Ronald Shannon Jackson, and Billie Holiday.

Featuring Henry Kaiser as special guest!

Here's the title track :

PIERRE VERVLOESEM - MINIMAL TROPICAL

Released on the 31st of December 2021, and keeping his promise to release one album per month in 2021, Pierre Vervloesem visits Brazil with "Minimal Tropical".

11 tracks. 
Expect soundtrack and animated movie material.

If that's enough to convince you:
'Uma Canção Irritante' is a deconstruction of Jobim's 'Corcovado',

And the superb 'Canção Do Tom' is a Frank Zappa inspired piece that features Morgan Ågren on the drums!!

What a great set of tunes to start the New Year !!
Happy 2022 everybody !

NEW MASADA QUARTET - NEW MASADA QUARTET

• new masada quartet: new masada quartet
      (2021, cd, usa, tzadik)

John Zorn's klesmer jazz ensemble is back.

John Zorn - alto sax
Julian Lage - guitar
Jorge Roeder - bass
Kenny Wollesen - drums

PR text says:
The long awaited first recording by John Zorn’s newest and most exciting ensemble, the New Masada Quartet. Performing eight classic compositions from the Masada songbooks, NMQ is a tight unit of like-minded virtuosi and one of the best groups Zorn has ever had. Bristling hot guitar master Julian Lage, bass wizard Jorge Roeder and 30-year Zorn veteran Kenny Wollesen perform with a crackling live energy that brings the Masada music to life like never before! Led by Zorn’s versatile sax and stop and start conducting, the music is filled with burning solos, telepathic group interaction, heartfelt lyricism and hypnotic grooves. Beautifully recorded at Bill Laswell’s studio in New Jersey this is an absolute masterpiece. Essential!

Great tunes and a superb interaction between the four musicians.
John Zorn / Julian Lage is a wonderful combination.

BRUNO VANSINA - ST. CECILIA

Composer, improviser, jazz saxophonist Bruno Vansina did a major catch-up move, the last couple of weeks.
Not only did he release several albums (old and new recordings) through his Bandcamp page, but he also made them available on CD.

Let's kick off with "St. Cecilia Recordings", a re-issue of the 2017 Vansina / Verbruggen / Gudmundsson album.

Recorded in 2008;
Mixed and mastered by Pierre Vervloesem in 2015;
Released on the Off Record label in 2017;
Re-released by Bruno Vansina in 2021.

• Bruno Vansina (alto- tenor- soprano sax, clarinet, keys, loops, voc)
• Gulli Gudmundsson (bass, keys, loops, voc)
• Teun Verbruggen (drums, electro, loops)

Experimental / improvised music.

EL SOBRINO DEL DIABLO

El Sobrino Del Diablo has just released a new album.

El Sobrino del Diablo, aka Juan Gómez González.
He contributed his version of FZ's 'The Illinois Enema Bandit' to the “Unmatched Vol.7” Frank Zappa tribute album in 2004.
On his “Music Is The Best” album, he released a Spanish version of FZ’s ‘Joe’s Garage’.
Both tracks can also be found on recent compilations.

JONO EL GRANDE - SORRY

Released on the last day of December, 2021.
Jono El Grande's 'Sorry'

Check it out !

RUNNIN' WITH THE DWEEZIL

Dweezil Zappa said :

It's Here!!! The Long-Awaited Joe Satriani Episode of RWTD.

My conversation with Joe about Van Halen's "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" was in-depth and it is spread into 2 episodes, each over an hour long!

The first episode is here for Christmas and the second episode will ring in the new year!

https://www.dweezilzappa.com/songs/1967583-joe-satriani-episode-15