PETER WOLF AND GIPSY LOVE

Peter Wolf studied classical piano at Vienna’s Conservatory of Music. At the age of 16, he won the "European Jazz Festival" as a solo pianist. 

In the early seventies, Peter Wolf was a part of Austrian band Gipsy Love. They recorded two albums.

Coming to America in his early twenties, Wolf worked with local musicians such as Neal Starkey (bassist) and Bill Hatcher (guitarist) in Atlanta, Georgia and with Steve Sample Jr (drummer, son of Steve Sample, Sr and Ray Reach (keyboardist, guitarist, vocalist) in Birmingham, Alabama.

After his time in the southeastern United States, he moved to Los Angeles, California, where he played keyboards for Frank Zappa in the late 1970s. After his work with Zappa, he then went on to the band Group 87 with Patrick O'Hearn, Terry Bozzio, Peter Maunu, and Mark Isham.

I revisited the Gipsy Love albums this morning.
Seventies rock.
Quite enjoyable.
"Here We Come" includes several tracks that were co-written by Thomas Nordegg, FZ's (but also Dweezil and Steve Vai's) guitar tech, among other things.

• gipsy love: gipsy love
      (1971, lp, austria, BASF) -> reissued on CD in 2011

• gipsy love: here we come
      (1972, lp, germany, PAN) -> reissued on CD in 2011

YouTube snippet:

ONE SHOT DEAL

One Shot Deal
plays the music of Frank Zappa

BUBBLEMATH - TURF ASCENSION

• bubblemath: turf ascension
      (2022, cd, usa, cuneiform)

Bubblemath released their first album in 2002: "Such Fine Particles Of The Universe".
Fifteen years later, they released their second album on the Cuneiform Records label: "Edit Peptide". I've been a fan ever since.

Their new album,"Turf Ascension", shows why I like this band so much. Bubblemath brings a perfect mixture of progressive rock and jazz, adding surprising rhythmic accents and changes.

Recommended listening :

JOHANNA BURNHEART - BURNHEART

• johanna burnheart: burnheart
      (2020, cd, uk, ropedope)

Johanna Burnheart plays the violin and she plays modern, modal jazz.

Not your everyday combination but it works.

Beautiful melodies and fine improvisations.
I love the overall sound of the band but I really like the violin.

A nice discovery.

Here's Johanna Burnheart at Jazz Re:Freshed :

NEW SAMPLER WITH A ZAPPA TRACK

 There's a new sampler out:
"Seventies Collected Vol. 2"
And it includes Frank Zappa's 'Bobby Brown'.

LP on green vinyl.
A Music On Vinyl release from earlier this month.

-- info: Harald Keller

THE SPECIALS - PROTEST SONGS 1924 - 2012

Last year, British band The Specials (R.I.P. Terry Hall) recorded Frank Zappa’s ‘Trouble Every Day’ and released it on their “Protest Songs 1924-2021” album.
The album has been made available with different artwork, both for the LP and for the CD.

The standard edition.

Here are two recent additions:

1st edition of the CD, limited to 500 copies worldwide.
The 1st edition of the LP had similar artwork and was limited to 1 000 copies.

Exclusive artwork.
CD.
Discogs says this version was distributed through Amazon.

VARIOUS ARTISTS - WELTBERÜHMT IN ÖSTERREICH VOL.4

 

• Various Artists: Weltberühmt In Österreich, Vol.4
      (2007, 2cd, Austria, sony / bmg)

Ostbahn Kurti’s ‘Bertl Braun’, a translated version of FZ’s ‘Bobby Brown’, got released as a single by the band in 1992.
It must have been quite a hit in Austria as the track has appeared on several samplers and compilation albums afterwards.
My most recent find is Volume 4 of the “Weltberühmt In Österreich” (World Famous In Austria) series  where it's track number 17 on disc number 2.

VARIOUS ARTISTS - GOLD 3

• various artists: gold 3
      (1988, lp, Italy, bmg)

Tracking down recordings with bands that perform Frank Zappa's music, here's 'Gold 3", a promotional LP that got issued by BMG in 1988.

It included Dweezil Zappa with ‘My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama’.

BASS SELECTIVE - FLAT LINE / BLOW ME OUT

• bass selective: flat line / blow out / get a little stupid / make me rush
      (1992, 12"-promo, uk, djor

Breakbeat hardcore group Bass Selective sampled Frank Zappa’s ‘Baby Snakes’ in ‘Make Me Rush’. The track could be found on their “Flat Line / Blow Out” release. It was the second track on side 2. The sample is used near the end of the song.
Released in a generic sleeve.

THE GATEKEEPERS - THE GATEKEEPERS

• The Gatekeepers: The Gatekeepers
  (2022, CD, USA, think like a key records)

“The Gatekeepers” is an album about an artist trying to get his work out in the world but facing a series of sardonic, disinterested gatekeepers. Written and performed by Alex Wroten who is joined by Alan Jenkins, Molly Harvey, The Residents, Morgan Ågren and Cheer-Accident to name just a few.

Track three, ‘Who Are The Gatekeepers?’ uses the melody line of the chorus of FZ’s ‘Who Are The Brain Police?’ throughout the song.

Released for download / streaming through Bandcamp, on CD, on black vinyl (in a limited edition of 333 numbered copies), and on blue vinyl (in a limited edition of 100 numbered copies).

THE BLUES GARAGE

MItch Ryder & Engerling Blues Band in concert at the Blues Garage - 15.02.2020

Take a look at that giant poster on the wall behind the band !!

 -- info: Zjakki Willems

THANK YOU SCIENTIST

US band Thank You Scientist was one of the best discoveries I made in 2022.
The band has released two EP's, three CD's and several download-only albums.
Eventually, I was able to find physical copies of the EP's and the CD's with their latest one, "Terraformer", being to toughest one.

Check them out !

"Maps Of Non-Existent Places", from 2012, got re-issued in 2014, => the green lettering on the cover.

"Stranger Heads Prevail", from 2014.

"Terraformer", from 2017

The band's Bandcamp page:
https://thankyouscientist.bandcamp.com/music

THE FRANK ZAPPA SOCIETY

The (Norwegian) Frank Zappa Society was responsible for publishing "Society Pages", a fanzine that eventually counted 48 issues between 1980 and 1988.
The organisation also released a number of specials: one about bootlegs, one about the different line-ups of The Mothers and Zappa's bands, and also one entitled "The Frank Zappa Society's Story Of Frank Zappa And The Mothers Of Invention".18 chapters, totaling 80 pages on FZ, his band, the labels, and more. In Norwegian.

I found a copy of this booklet in a Dutch record store.

BECKUTO VONGOLA - PRETEND YOU'RE STILL SURPRISED

"Pretend You're STILL Surprised !" is a digital download-only album by Beckuto Vongola.

Next to a snippet of 'Nasal Retentive Calliope Music", several songs on the album use Frank Zappa voice samples, taken from various interviews.

A Bandcamp release.

CRASH/COURSE - WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED IN FEBRUARY '22

Zappa nerds may want to know that Crash/Course (alter ego of Cononr McMullen) released "What The Fuck Happened In February '22".
Several tracks include or have been built around samples of Frank Zappa tunes.

 

FLOPPO RECORDS IS PREPARING A ZAPPA FANZINE SPECIAL

Floppo Records is preparing "Zappa Every Day", a Frank Zappa fanzine special.

Here's the info :

Welcome to FLOPPO Records - home of "Zappa Every Day". Here you will be able to keep up to date with the status of my Zappa Zine, and interact with me personally.

"Zappa Every Day" is a DIY fanzine dedicated to the music of Frank Zappa by me, FLAKE! (Fladik) I listened to 30 Zappa albums in 30 days and wrote one review every day. This was under the guidance of my friend, the Zappa Consultant (aka, ZC).

To reserve your copy, just send me a DM on FacEbook:
facebook.com/FladikFlake
or send a message to
dj dot flake at icloud dot com

• Day 1: Freak Out! (1966)
• Day 2: Absolutely Free (1967)
• Day 3: Lumpy Gravy (1968)
• Day 4: We’re Only In It For The Money (1968)
• Day 5: Uncle Meat (1969)
• Day 6: Hot Rats (1969)
• Day 7: Burnt Weeny Sandwich (1970)
• Day 8: Weasels Ripped My Flesh (1970)
• Day 9: The Grand Wazoo (1972)
• Day 10: Over-Nite Sensation (1973)
• Day 11: Apostrophe (‘) (1974)
• Day 12: One Size Fits All (1975)
• Day 13: Bongo Fury (1975)
• Day 14: Zoot Allures (1976)
• Day 15: Zappa In New York (1978)
• Day 16: Studio Tan (1978)
• Day 17: Sheik Yerbouti (1979)
• Day 18: Baby Snakes (The Movie) (1979)
• Day 19: Orchestral Favorites (1979)
• Day 20: Joes Garage Acts I, II & III (1979)
• Day 21: Tinsel Town Rebellion (1981)
• Day 22: Shut Up ’n Play Yer Guitar (1981)
• Day 23: You Are What You Is (1981)
• Day 24: The Man From Utopia (1983)
• Day 25: London Symphony Orchestra (1983)
• Day 26: Boulez Conducts Zappa (1984)
• Day 27: Jazz From Hell (1986)
• Day 28: Broadway The Hard Way (1988)
• Day 29: The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life (1991)
• Day 30: The Yellow Shark (1993)
• Day 31: The Yellow Shark (Concert Video) (1993)
• Day 32: Civilization Phaze III (1995)
• Day 33: Zappa Documentary (2020)

LADY BLACKBIRD - BLACK ACID SOUL

• lady blackbird: black acid soul
      (2021, cd, uk, foundation music)

Lady Blackbird (Marley Munroe) mixes jazz and soul in a sublime way. "Black Acid Soul" is her first full album. It got released in late 2021 / early 2022 by the Foundation Music label.

11 songs in a crystal-clear recording with Lady Blackbird's voice up front. As if she's standing a few feet away from you.
Beautiful.

The band features Deron Johnson on keyboards, Jon Flaugher on double bass, and Jimmy Paxson on drums.
Special guests include Troy 'Trombone Shorty' Andrews on trombone !

'It'll Never Happen Again' (Tim Hardin)

 

THE ARISTOCRATS RETURN TO ASIA

Hello! It's Guthrie, Bryan and Marco here again!

We will be making our long-awaited return to the stages of Asia next year as part of the DEFROST tour, and here we are announcing new shows for February and March 2023! There will be performances in Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Taiwan and Vietnam added to this Asian leg, alongside dates in Japan and Singapore that we announced earlier in the year.

We are humbled and grateful to be able to play our unique blend of Aristocratic music for audiences across Asia once again! From a place we know well like Japan, to our first ever shows in Indonesia and Singapore, to a second trip across India, as well as return visits to Hong Kong, Taiwan and Vietnam, it’s amazing that even with music as wild and experimental as ours, the language of music is universal. We can’t wait!

DATE - VENUE, CITY, COUNTRY

February 6, 2023 - Bigcat, Osaka, Japan
February 7, 2023 - The Bottom Line, Nagoya, Japan
February 9, 2023 - Club Citta’, Kawasaki, Japan
February 11, 2023 - Tsuen Wan Town Hall, Hong Kong
February 13, 2023 - The Gateway Theatre, Singapore
February 15, 2023 - Dharma Negara Alaya, Denpasar Bali, Indonesia
February 17, 2023 - Oddball Festival, Mumbai, India
February 18, 2023 - Oddball Festival, Bangalore, India
February 19, 2023 - Oddball Festival, Delhi, India
February 23, 2023 - EXT, Hyderabad, India
February 25, 2023 - Urban Mantra, Guwahati, India
February 26, 2023 - Hard Rock Cafe, Kolkata, India
March 1, 2023 - The Wall, Taipei, Taiwan
March 3, 2023 - Theatre of Vietnam National Academy of Music, Hanoi, Vietnam

ANOTHER FRANK ZAPPA 'RADIO SHOW' ALBUM ANNOUNCED

Announced for a January 2023 release:
Frank Zappa - "Osaka Nights 1976" 2 CD set by Left Field Media

EIDON - FILTHY FURAGUMA

‘Filthy Furaguma’ is an algorithmic composition by Belgian composer Eidon in which he incorporated (xenochrony) Frank Zappa’s ‘Filthy Habits’.
The piece was made available through Bandcamp.
The album picture is a reworking of the Statue Of The Sun, the symbol and mascot of the Japan World Exhibition, Osaka, 1970, with ZF’s nose & moustache being added.

FRANK ZAPPA - WAKA / WAZOO

• zappa: waka / wazoo
      (2022, 4cd + blu-ray, europe, zappa records zr20041)

Amazing album.
I've been listening to the download for over a week.
Great stuff.
The outtakes, the George Duke demos, and the live material.

Essential for everybody who's into Zappa's music.

THE REAL FRANK ZAPPA BOOK

I recently came across another two editions of The Real Frank Zappa book. An Hungarian edition from 2008 and a Polish one from 1996.

Couldn't resist.

The Polish book (on the left) is the original one with a painting on the cover by Jacek Tofil.
It got reprinted in 2020 using the 'standard' picture. 

The Hungarian one (on the right) is a reprint from 2008. The first edition is from 1991 !

CLINT BAHR - PUZZLEBOX

• clint bahr: puzzlebox
      (2022, cd, usa, moonjune)

Composer, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Clint Bahr was the man behind Tripod, a band that released two fine albums about twenty years ago.
I don't really know what happened to Clint these past twenty years, musically speaking, but he's back. And how.

"Puzzlebox" is his first (and brand-new) solo album.
The Bancamp page added: "a genre-defying global collaboration of artists; a cross-pollination of diverse instruments and talents", and it could not be more accurate.
Different flavours, different instrumentation, and an impressive list of participating musicians.

• Peter Banks - guitar (Yes)
• Colin Carter - vocals (Flash)
• Marilyn Crispell - piano (Pharoah Sanders, Anthony Braxton)
• David Cross- violins (King Crimson)
• Stephanie Feyne - dialogue (The Dotes)
• Billy Ficca - drums (Television)
• Dick Griffin - trombone (Sun Ra, Roland Kirk)
• Mike Hough - drums (Flash)
• David Jackson - woodwinds (Van der Graaf Generator)
• Dan Parkington - sitar & violin (Andromeda)
• Jeff Schiller - woodwinds (The Roots)

The result is one fine album.
Check it out !

JIM KNIPFEL & BRIAN POOLE - FACELESS FOREVER

• faceless forever - a residents encyclopaedia
  by jim knipfel & brian poole
      (2022, book, uk, cherry red books)
  

This almost 300 pages, hardcover book arrived last week.
I had expected it to be some sort of extended discography, maybe with an additional alphabetical list of all of the songs, but that's not what "Faceless Forever" is.
The book does list all of the albums and all of the people that participated in making these happen. Not just the musicians but also the guy behind Euro Ralp, or the person who ran U.W.E.B., or the radio stations that the Residents worked with.
So not really what I expected (although I might have expected it not to be what I expected, as with most Residents-related output), but it is fascinating.
Fun ! (and informative)

A Cherry Red Books release.
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/the-residents-faceless-forever-a-residents-encylopaedia-hardback-book/

VARIOUS ARTISTS - TEENAGE MEADOWS OF INFINITY

• various artists: teenage meadows of infinity
      (2007, 2cd, USA, galactic zoo dossier / drag city)

The complete album title of the 2 CD set that came with issue number seven of the Galactic Zoo Dossier music zine was “Teenage Meadows Of Infinity (Rare Psychs & Stomps) / From The Ashes Perfect Attainment Shall Be (Modern Freaked Sounds)”.

The second disc, “From The Ashes…”, included the Plastic Crimewave Sound’s recording of FZ’s ‘Willie The Pimp’. The track would later find its way to “Dark Debris”, a PCS CDR compilation album.

EIDON - FRANKTASIA

Belgian composer Eidon (or Eidon Veda) released three versions of ‘Franktasia’, a tribute to Frank Zappa through Bandcamp.

Eideon added:
“A piece dedicated to Frank Vincent Zappa, written and orchestrated between 4--21 December 2022.”

-

-

Earlier in 2022, Eidon had already participated to the creation of "Ode FanatiQue: Tribute to Friendship of Frank Zappa and Archie Shepp" as a member of the "Freestyle jaZz Quartet". It got released on YouTube.

PIERRE VERVLOESEM - OH!

Pierre Vervloesem's latest release is called "Oh!'.

Electronic madness.
But the kind that I like.

The album title ("Oh!" as in wonderment) describes my thoughts perfectly. 

 

ELEMENTUS MUSICALIS - ZAPPA REVISITED

Amadora, Portugal-based Elementus Musicalis recorded FZ’s ‘Peaches En Regalia’ and added:

“ ‘Peaches en Regalia’ is one of Frank Zappa's most brilliant songs. It was recreated here with the Cubasis 3 app for android. Everything we are hearing here was created with a simple phone.
Wonders of technology and some patience on my part...”

Bandcamp release.

 

THE THURSTON LAVA TUBE - LIVE IN CANNING TOWN 2008

• the thurston lava tube: live in canning town 2008
      (2022, download, --, bandcamp)

November 9, 2008, Alan Jenkins’ Thurston Lava Tube did a concert in support of Jimmy Carl Black (who had been diagnosed with cancer at the time).

The concert took place at the Bridge House II in the Canning Town district in London. It just got released through Bandcamp.
& yes, the set included a couple of FZ tunes.

THE RESIDENTS - SANTA DOG 2022

• the residents: santa dog 2022
      (2022, 7", uk, cherry red)

Earlier this month, Cherry Red released 'Santa Dog 2022' on 7".
The perfect Christmas card, although I did not put it up in the tree.

The B-side has 'Fire'.

ZAPPA - ZAPPA'75 - ZAGREB / LJUBLJANA (JAPANESE EDITION)

The Japanese edition of Zappa's recent "Zappa '75 - Zagreb / Ljubljana" album looks very similar to the European edition.
It does come with an obi, and it offers SHMCD's (better sounding Super High Material CD's), but the nicest addition is the extra booklet with lyrics in both Japanese and English.

LOCKSMITH - GHOST ZAPPA

• locksmith: ghost zappa
      (2022, download, --, bandcamp)

Connecticut-based Locksmith released “Ghost Zappa” through Bandcamp. The album uses Zappa music as a backing for their raps.
I haven't been able to identify all of them.
Anyone?

• Frank’s Warning / Da Mystery Of Ghost Zappa
• sampled Heavy Duty Judy & an interview, ?? (at 1:15, something from 1988), and some Lumpy Gravy stuff at the very end
• Criminology
• sampled Willie The Pimp
• Datona
• sampled Little Umbrellas
• Mighty Healthy
• sampled Wind Up Workin' In A Gas Station
• Apollo Kids
• sampled The Gumbo Variations
• Gravitation Interlude
• sampled Mom & Dad
• Run
• - ???
• Fuck It Interlude
• sampled Uncle Remus
• Cobra Clutch
• ???
• Holla
• sampled Watermelon In Easter Hay

VARIOUS ARTISTS - THE LIBRARY MUSIC / EASY LISTENING SIDE OF HEAVEN HOTEL PART ONE

• various artists: the library music / easy listening side of heaven hotel part one
      (2022, cd, Belgium, heaven hotel)

What an album title...
Anyway, I still haven't figured out if this is a compilation album of sorts, if it presents new material, or if it's a mix of both.
Instrumental jazz, mixing exotica and lounge jazz with a fine dose of humour.
Rudy Trouvé, Elko Blijweert, Joris Caluwaerts, Kiss My Jazz, Dead Man Ray,...

I was playing the CD in my car the other day and I almost made a detour because there were still a couple of tracks left on the CD...

The biggest surprise was 'The Sound Of Our Childhood', an amazing tribute to the "Kapitein Zeppos" theme ('Living It Up' by Bert Kaempfert)

And for a bit of additional amusement, here's Bert Kaempfert & His Orchestra with 'A Swingin' Safari'.

TODD RUNDGREN - SPACE FORCE

• todd rundgren: space force
      (2022, cd, usa, cleopatra records)

Every track on Todd Rundgren's "Space Force" is a collaboration with a different artist.
It makes the album incredibly diverse, with Todd as the common factor.
I love it.

Featuring former Zappa sidemen Adrian Belew and Steve Vai !

01 - Puzzle (Adrian Belew, Todd Rundgren)

02 - Down With The Ship (Rivers Cuomo, Todd Rundgren)

03 - Artist In Residence (Neil Finn)

04 - Godiva Girl (A.Thompson, R.S.Angry, S.Mandel,T.Rundgren)

05 - Your Fandango (Sparks, Todd Rundgren)

06 – Someday (Dave Lane, Todd Rundgren)

07 - I'm Not Your Dog (Thomas Dolby) 

08 – Espionage (Todd Rundgren, Yassin Alsalman) 

09 – STFU (Rick Nielsen, Todd Rundgren)

10 - Head In The Ocean (Alfie)

11 - I'm Leaving (Lemon Twigs, Todd Rundgren)

12 - Eco Warrior Goddess (Steve Vai, Todd Rundgren)

DEVIN TOWNSEND - LIGHTWORK

• devin townsend: lightwork
      (2022, 2cd, europe, inside out music)

As I take recommendations from my musical friends pretty serious, I just had to check out Devin Townsend's "Lightwork" album.
I went for the "Lightwork (Deluxe Edition)" which in this case implies that there is a second, companion disc entitled "Nightwork".

And, yes, I'm quite happy with "Lightwork".
Every review that I had come across mentioned that this was Devin's most accessible albums up until now. I'm not familiar enough with Devin's complete discography to agree or to disagree, but I do know that it has (t)his typical and easily recognisable sound. A bit bombastic at times, and vocals that can switch to screaming every once in a while, but I like it lot and it fits the music perfectly.

Track number six has Jonas Hellborg on bass and features a guitar solo by none other than Mike Keneally. The perfect additional spicing.

Steve Vai and Mattias Eklundh also contributed to "Lightworks", as did  Anneke van Giersbergen.

Recommended listening.

Here's 'Starchasm, Pt.2' with a Steve Vai touch and Anneke van Giersbergen on vocals !

DUO ATANASOVSKI - LIBERTÉ TOUJOURS

• duo atanasovski: liberté toujours
      (2022, cd, usa, moonjune records)

Father Vasko (sax, flute) and son Ariel Vei Atanasovski (guitar, cello) have just released "Liberté Toujours". Both are seasoned musicians but if I'm not mistaken, this is the first album that they recorded together.

The result is presented as 7 compositions.
Vaska and Ariel Vei, plus a number of guests.
Gentle, lyrical jazz. Uplifting.

Nice.
You can get a taste over at bandcamp:

ROMAN GARCIA ALBERTOS - FRANK ZAPPA (1940 - 1993)

Román Garciá Albertos' book arrived today.
Almost 800 pages.
In Spanish.
Silex Ediciones.

CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN FOR THE NEW INVENTIONIS MATER ALBUM

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/inventionis-mater-new-zappa-album#/

 

MEET GNOE

Gnoe.

 

OSTRICH VON NIPPLE - EXPLOITS INFINITY

• ostrich von nipple: exploits infinity
      (2022, cd, germany, psychofon records)

Featuring Nolan Cook (guitars), Shitty Bedford (vocals and sax), Turbo Hockey (percussions), and Ostrich von Nipple (other things), "Exploits Infinity" will take you on a journey. And not your usual journey.

Sounding familiar and alien at the same time.
I really like this.
Check out the below YouTube video to get the idea.

Limited release (200 copies) on the Psychofon Records label.

https://www.psychofonrecords.com/shop/PR-059-Ostrich-Von-Nipple-exploits-infinity-CD-p482972674

THE ARF DOSSIER VOL.114

The latest issue of The Arf Dossier, the German fanzine of the Arf Society.

• • leserpost
  • the hot platters heaven from the arf office
  • the greenaway essays: randomonium
  • the fine but unauthorized cd kaleidoscope
  • the rare pictures gallery
  • the vinyl bootleg releases
  • zappanale 2023
  • news from belgium - live from United Mutations
  • frank out!
  • ullis ecke
  • info behind the photo(s)

 

REUTER, MOTZER, GROHOWSKI - BLEED

• reuter, motzer, grohowski: bleed
      (2022, cd, usa, moonjune)

"Bleed" is an impressive album by Markus Reuter, Tim Motzer and Kenny Grohowski.
Markus and Tim have been playing together for years and it's only recently that Kenny joined them.

These guys improvise. They create soundscapes and melodies on the spot.
With Markus Reuter on Touch Guitar and loop station, Tim Motzer on various guitars, electronics and looping, and Kenny Grohowski on drums and percussion, the result is astonishing.

Tim adds: Markus and I have been playing together since 2008, recorded many records together, and have this very deep musical connection. We’ve always created music from improvising. Now, working with Kenny we’ve found our special drummer who can do that with us, and play anything. The music finds us.

Amazing.
Both Markus and Tim create lots of different sounds, tones, colours and atmospheres, while Kenny keeps it tight and steers the trio in certain directions.

Check it out:

CLUB D'ELF CONCERT DATES

a message from Club d'Elf, our favourite Moroccan-dosed psychedelic dub jazz band.

Greetings and Salutations,

As we approach the Solstice and the darkness begins to give way to the increasing of the light, I'd like to wish ya'll a bright and angst-free holiday season. I'd also like to thank everyone who reads (and sometimes responds to) these things for supporting D'Elf this year, which was a big one for us. 2022 saw the release of 'You Never Know', which for me personally was a huge event, and maybe I'm a little biased, but I think (maybe?) it's our best album...so far. Certainly the one that "sounds" the most like the band, and represents what we do live. 2023 is going to be another big year, marking our 25th anniversary. We're still finalizing stuff, but I wanted to give folks on this list the first glimpse of what we got thus far, so you can save some dates:

25th Anniversary Tour Dates

2/3/23 Denver CO @So Many Roads feat. David Fiuczynski
2/4/23 Crested Butte CO feat. John Medeski
2/10/23 Fall River MA @The Narrows feat Duke Levine
2/11/23 Stowe VT @Stowe Cider feat. Rob Compa
2/16/23 Providence RI @Fete
2/17/23 Cambridge MA @Lizard Lounge feat. Lyle Brewer
2/18/23 Burlington VT @Foam Brewers feat. Rob Compa
2/22/23 NYC @Cutting Room
2/23/23 Bridgeport CT @Park City Music Hall
2/24/23 Northampton MA @Bombyx
2/25/23 Portsmouth NH @The Press Room
3/10/23 Marlboro NY @The Falcon feat. John Medeski & Reeves Gabrels

 

RICK BEATO & DWEEZIL ZAPPA (FROM 4 YEARS AGO)

RESIDENTS / GOD IN 3 PERSONS TO BE RELEASED ON BLU-RAY & DVD

Originally premiered in 2020 at New York's Museum of Modern Art, the piece features elaborate projections created by world renowned video artist John Sanborn, as well as a live six piece musical ensemble and three additional live performers. This video of God in 3 Persons was shot at the newly remodeled and spectacular Presidio Theater in San Francisco and directed by John Sanborn; it was directed for performance by Travis Chamberlain; music director was Joshua Brody; primary designer was Leigh Barbier; the producer was Steve Saporito.

The DVD and BluRay both contain bonus demos showing how portions of the God in 3 Persons material was developed for performance.

To be released in April !

https://mvdshop.com/collections/residents/products/residents-god-in-3-persons-live-blu-ray 

PIERRE VERVLOESEM IN JAZZ & MO' MAGAZINE

Wowie zowie !!
Issue # 22 of Jazz & Mo'

https://jazzandmo.be/home

ANTON CORBIJN'S "IKONEN" EXHIBIT IN ANTWERP, BE

Part of a newspaper cutting from Gazet Van Antwerpen, Dec 17, 2022.

"Ikonen" (Icons)
book released by Hannibal.

Expo at the Handelsbeurs in Antwerp from Dec 17, 2022, until April 16, 2023.

The picture of Anton as FZ is part of his "A.Somebody" series.

https://www.antoncorbijnexpo.com/

IKE WILLIS AT THE MILWAUKEE ZAPPA FEST

Ike Willis, sitting in with Gozortenplat to play some Zappa music.
Part of the Milwaukee Zappafest XXIV.

Vocal-wise, Ike doesn't really sound in shape. Too bad.

THE Z3 PLAYS THE MUSIC OF FRANK ZAPPA

The Z3 feat. Tim Palmieri (Lotus, The Breakfast, Kung Fu), Bill Carbone (Max Creek, Melvin Sparks), and Beau Sasser (Kung Fu) play funky takes on Frank Zappa on Sat 1/14!

THE ED PALERMO BIG BAND LIVE AT THE FALCON TONIGHT

The Ed Palermo Big Band in concert at The Falcon tonight !

https://www.liveatthefalcon.com/

KING CRIMSON

The King Crimson discography includes quite a number of live albums.
Here's some recent additions, all 2 CD sets, mini LP SHM CD.

• King Crimson - 2003-04-12 At Matsumoto Bunka Kaikan
• King Crimson - 2003-04-13 At Hitomi Memorial Hall
• King Crimson - 2003-04-15 At Shinjuku Kosei Nenkin Kaikan
• King Crimson - 2003-04-16 At Shinjuku Kosei Nenkin Kaikan
• King Crimson - 2003-04-17 At Shinjuku Kosei Nenkin Kaikan
• King Crimson - 2003-04-19 At Mielparque Hall
• King Crimson - 2003-04-20 At Aichi Kosei Nenkin Kaikan
• King Crimson - 2003-04-21 At Osaka Kosei Nenkin Kaikan

From King Crimson April 2003 Japan tour.
feat. Robert Fripp, Adrian Belew, Pat Mastelotto and Trey Gunn.

 

CONNOR MCMULLEN - THE EP EP EP

I have to admit that this hasn't happened before. And if it did, I can't remember it.

Connor McMullen released "The EP EP EP", of which the first track is entitled 'petervanlaarhoven'.
I thought it was funny. Still do. And I even like the piece !

thank you, Connor !

ALI N. ASKIN BAND AT ZAPPANALE

It's still a bit away, but the next edition of the Zappanale festival should feature the Ali N. Askin Band.

If it's anything like the 2019 performance, this will be great !!

SNARKY PUPPY RELEASES LIVE-IN-THE-STUDIO PERFORMANCE OF 'PINEAPPLE'

To celebrate the start of the Grammy voting period, Snarky Puppy is excited to debut the live-in-studio performance video of “Pineapple” from their 2023 Grammy-nominated album, Empire Central.

The song’s co-writer and Snarky Puppy trumpet/flugelhorn player Mike 'Maz' Maher notes that the single is “an upbeat dance track" and uses ferocious improvisations to keep the song moving without departing from its fun danceability.

FRANK & CO

Co de Kloet's "Frank & Co" book presents Co's conversations with FZ.

The book got published in 2020 but got re-released by Jawbone Press earlier this year.
I picked up the Jawbone Press edition at Zappanale.

ZAPPA - WAKA / WAZOO

• frank zappa: waka wazoo
      (2022, 4cd + blu-ray, usa, zappa records)

The box is on its way but the High Res download is already available.
https://www.highresaudio.com/en/album/view/mterfc/frank-zappa-waka-wazoo-50th-anniversary-edition-remastered

Quite amazing.
Outtakes, alternative mixes, George Duke demos, and some live recordings (Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, Dec 15, 1972).

The download doesn't include the blu-ray material, = the original Waka and Wazoo albums, also in a 5.1 and in an Atmos mix.

GIANT SLEEP - GROUNDED TO THE SKY

• giant sleep: grounded to the sky
      (2023, cd, Switzerland, czar or crickets)

Due out on January 27, 2023, Giant Sleep's "Grounded To The Sky" will offer you the possibility to start the new year with a blast.

Swiss / German band Giant Sleep started in 2012. They released a self-titled album in 2014, and a second one, entitled "Move A Mountain", in 2017.

Heavy.

Hard rock but injected with the right dose of prog, stoner and psychedelic elements. (As demonstrated in the album artwork !)

Keep an eye out for this one !
As a taster, here's the single:

To be released on the Czar Of Crickets label:
https://www.czarofcrickets.com/

MILES' ZAPPA BIOGRAPHY GOT A JAPANESE EDITION

Did I mention the Japanese translation of Miles' Zappa biography?

It got released last April by ele-king books.
Available from Amazon Japan. Came with an obi.

VAN HERZEELE / GALLAND

Jeroen Van Herzeele and Stéphane Galland
performing Coltane's 'Vigil'.

THE ED PALERMO BIG BAND - SILENT NIGHT / TWIN PEAKS (MASH UP)

And that's why I love the Ed Palermo Big Band !!

 

ARISTOCRATS TOUR DATES

THE ARISTOCRATS announce more European dates for their “DEFROST” tour in OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023

Hello! It's Guthrie, Bryan and Marco here!

We will be making our long-awaited return to the stages of Europe next year, and we're so excited to share with you this second batch of gig dates! We'll be continuing the worldwide DEFROST tour, which began with a hugely successful 50-show North American leg last summer.

We promised there would be many more shows for Europe after we announced our limited run for June 2023, and we’re ready to deliver with weeks of Aristocratic shows across the continent in October and November - with even more to be announced soon. Europe will always be special for us, and we look forward to reconnecting with so many of our fans there. Like we said before, it’s been too long!

The Aristocrats DEFROST EUROPE Tour – OCT/NOV 2023

October 5, 2023 - Rockhal, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
October 6, 2023 - Spirit Of 66, Verviers, Belgium
October 7, 2023 - De Boerderij, Zoetermeer, Netherlands
October 8, 2023 - De Boerderij, Zoetermeer, Netherlands
October 10, 2023 - Fabrik, Hamburg, Germany
October 11, 2023 - Franzz, Berlin, Germany
October 13, 2023 - Piano, Dortmund, Germany
October 14, 2023 - Lehenbachhalle, Winterbach, Germany
October 15, 2023 - Ampere, Munich, Germany
October 16, 2023 - 7er Club, Mannheim, Germany
October 18, 2023 - KUZ, Mainz, Germany
October 21, 2023 - Bølgen Kulturhus, Larvik, Norway
October 22, 2023 - Pustervik, Gothenburg, Sweden
October 26, 2023 - Lutakko, Jyvaskyla, Finland
October 27, 2023 - Olympia, Tampere, Finland
October 28, 2023 - Aaniwalli, Helsinki, Finland
October 30, 2023 - Voru Kannel, Voru, Estonia
November 3, 2023 - Collosseum, Kosice, Slovakia
November 4, 2023 - Barba Negra, Budapest, Hungary
November 5, 2023 - MMC, Bratislava, Slovakia
November 7, 2023 - Blue Note, Nove Mesto, Slovakia
November 8, 2023 - Palace Akropolis, Prague, Czechia

Full details for all shows, including ticket links as they become available, can be found on the Aristocrats website at: http://the-aristocrats-band.com/shows/

VARIOUS ARTISTS - MASKED TURNIP CYCLOPHONY

• various artists: masked turnip cyclophony
      (2022, 2lp, uk, blue day)

The new version / re-release of "Masked Turnip Cyclophony" album looks the same as the (original) 2015 release on the Let The Eat Vinyl label, except that this re-release is on white vinyl.

Presenting recordings that FZ participated in.
From his Cucamonga days at the Pal Studio.

MIXCLOUD MO' JAZZ EPISODE 332

Holy Moly !!
What a fine mixtape this is.

El Chicles, Steiger, De Beren Gieren, Compro Oro, Bandler Ching, Francis Coppieters, Stellar Legions, Azmari, Glass Museum, René Costy, Solis Lacus, M.CHUZI, TaxiWars, Lucid Lucia, Condor Gruppe, and Black Flower

ZAPPA TRIBUTE BAND THE DANGEROUS KITCHEN IN CONCERT

German Zappa tribute band The Dangerous Kitchen will perform the music of Frank Zappa

on January 23, 2023 at the Kastanie Am Hax
in Wetter, Germany (in the neighbourhood of Essen & Dortmund)

ZAPPACAST

Zappa podcasts

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/zappacast/id1459902263

including the most recent one on "Waka Wazoo".

 

TOO NOISY FISH

Too Noisy Fish (Peter Vandenberghe - Kristof Roseeuw - Teun Verbruggen) will be celebrating 10 years of TNF in 2023.
For the occasion, they will be performing as Too Many Fish with special guest Dimitri Verhulst and with an extra set of musicians: Bart Maris, Bruno Vansina, Philip De Jager & DJ Grazzhoppa.

Sunday, March 12, 2023 at 'De Ververij' in Ronse, BE.

Here's a video of a more recent encounter with DJ Grazzhoppa:

• Peter Vandenberghe: piano & compositions
• Kristof Roseeuw: double bass
• Théo Lanau: drums 
• DJ Grazzhoppa: turntables

JAZZ & MO'

The latest issue of Jazz & Mo' has Flat Earth Society on the cover.
Next to FES, inside, there's encounters with Don Kapot, Matthias De Waele, Pierre Vervloesem, Linda Fredriksson, and Seppe Begruers.

https://muziekmozaiek.be/jazz/

STEPHAN THELEN - FRACTAL GUITAR 3

• stephan thelen: fractal guitar 3
      (2022, cd, usa, moonjune)

Swiss guitar player and composer Stephan Thelen has just released the third installment of his "Fractal Guitar" series.
It ticked all my boxes: adventurous melodies or soundscapes, odd meters and polyrhythms, dynamic, and a focus on the guitar.

The album presents 6 tracks, all around 10 minutes long. Moving and exploring. Taking you on a journey.

Amazing stuff.

There were quite a number of musicians involved in the recording of "Fractal Guitar 3".
Guitar aficionados should take a look at  the instrumentation while checking out this album: fretless guitar, touch guitar, tremolo guitar, e-bow,...

Recommended listening !

ZAPPAFEST XXIV

Sunday, December 18, 2022

Milwaukee Zappafest XXIV

Featuring IKE WILLIS!

At The Cooperage

822 S Water St, Milwaukee, WI, United States, Wisconsin 

 +1 414-312-7344

The longest running Frank Zappa tribute concert in America is back once again in it's 24th straight year! Once again we'll be having the one and only and legendary IKE WILLIS as the featured headliner to perform along with Gozortenplat! Back this year are The Swivels, and joining us this year is the group Frank N' Fly from the infamous Zappafest band Dr. Chow's Love Medicine!