ZAPPACAST - FROM FZ TO SURF CITY WITH DAVID LOGEMAN

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-fz-to-surf-city-with-david-logeman/id1459902263?

From FZ To Surf City with David Logeman
ZappaCast

Scott Parker, Joe Travers & Phil Surkis ain't messin' around, as they chat with the best Zappa drummer you never heard in your life. Yes, David Logeman, from the short lived spring/summer 1980 lineup, is on hand to celebrate the new release Zappa '80: Mudd Club/Munich.

You'll hear a first hand account from Mr. Logeman of what actually happened on the floor at the Mudd Club, the night when both Vinnie Colaiuta and Terry Bozzio were in the audience, and how he beat over 50 auditioning drummers to secure his place for the spring/summer 1980 tour. All this, plus a not to be believed story of how the Vaultmeister first crossed paths with David, shortly before this podcast was recorded!

Created & Hosted by Scott Parker

J DILLA - DONUTS

• J Dilla: Donuts
      (2006, 2lp, USA, stone throw records)

The 2011 vinyl re-issue of J Dilla's "Donutes" carried the ‘smile’ cover, previously only used for the CD release.
It got another re-issue in 2020.
I came across a copy again last week. Two times in one month. That couldn't be a coincidence, so  decided to give it a better home.

Here's J Dilla talking about Madlib.
(both have used Zappa samples in their music.)

CAPTAIN BEEFHEART & HIS MAGIC BAND RADIO SHOW ALBUM

"Live In Bremen And London" is a new Captain Beefheart radio show album.
Unauthorised release.

dEUS - HOW TO REPLACE IT

• dEUS: how to replace it
      (2023, cd, bel, pias)

New album by dEUS.
I've listened to "How To Replace It" a couple of times already, and it just keeps getting better.
Recommended !!

Here's the excellent interview with Tom Barman by Michèle Cuvelier !

and a track from the album

PAKT

a message from MoonJune Records

It would be impossible to find a label that adequately defines the collective quartet PAKT, whose members combine experience in jazz, progressive rock, metal, experimental, and noise music – often overlapping, never constrictive. The band brings together four extraordinary musicians: bassist Percy Jones (Brand X, Brian Eno, David Sylvian, Suzanne Vega), guitarist Alex Skolnick (Testament, Trans-Siberian Orchestra), drummer Kenny Grohowski (John Zorn, Secret Chiefs 3, Imperial Triumphant), and guitarist Tim Motzer (Bandit65, David Sylvian, Jaki Liebezeit, Ursula Rucker, Jamaaladeen Tacuma). 

PAKT recalls the fearless attitude and daring approach that originally defined progressive music: where the magic of the moment always triumphs over preconception. Their blistering improvisations serve as a reminder to aficionados of what initially drew them to this most creative, visionary of musics. We look forward to seeing you!

https://pakt-moonjune.bandcamp.com/music

PAKT

• Alex Skolnick (with the FZ t-shirt),
• Tim Motzer,
• Kenny Grohowski,
• Percy Jones,

BESTIAPLANETE

Those of you who are familiar with "The Others Of Invention" books that I compiled a couple of years ago, might have read about Bestiaplanete, a band from Argentina that doesn't hide that they're fans of the music of Frank Zappa.

Last week, Bestiaplanete made one of their live shows available on YouTube.
Recorded on December 3, 2009, the shows the quartet in great shape.

Great stuff.
Check it out and see if you can find part of Florentine Pogen hidden in the first song, and the "It Can't Happen Here" quote between the songs around 48 minutes in.

The band is considering coming to Europe if they can find some gigs.
So if you know a promotor that might be interested, or another band that might want to share the bill with them, let them know ! You can contact Mariano at zonkerafe at gmail dot com.

https://bestiaplanete.bandcamp.com/

THE RESIDENTS - OUR FINEST FLOWERS

The upcoming Residents RSD release, the LP version of "Our Finest Flower", had me revisit the 1993 CD earlier today.
Released on the EuroRalph label at the time, the album was sort of a "best of / mash up" compilation.
Songs got mixed and reworked into new songs. It all sounded pretty familiar but also new.
A very fine album.
Probably not intended for listeners that were not familiar with earlier Residents material, but still a very fine album.
If I'm not mistaken, it was released to launch the EuroRalph record label and celebrated the Residents' 20th anniversary at the same time.

And soon, the album will get re-released on vinyl. As a Record Store Day Release.
Here's the info from RSD:

The classic 1992 20th Anniversary album, which saw The Residents rework lyrics, melodies and themes from their entire back catalog into an album of new tracks, on vinyl for the first time.

Includes an insightful new essay by JIM KNIPFEL. Celebrating twenty long dreary years of obscure stardom...
In 1992, The Residents pondered their 20th Anniversary. A best-of collection had been proposed, and the group gathered together to draw up a potential tracklist. All was well until one of the Eyeballed Entities, unconsciously expressing something none of them had been able to verbalize, threw up on that tracklist. Once the dust had settled, somewhere in there, amongst the resulting soggy mess of vomit, paper and ink, The Residents noticed the proposed best-of song titles had congealed into a collage of new, never before heard tunes. 'Kick A Cat' and 'Picnic In The Jungle' had become 'Kick A Picnic', whilst 'Amber' and 'Six Things To A Cycle' had become 'Six Amber Things'. You get the idea.

This was it! Inspired by the rather repulsive mess that sat before them, the group chose to take the entire episode as a sign, and began recording collages of select tracks from their back catalogue as instructed by those soggy scraps. What better way to celebrate twenty long dreary years of obscure stardom and sacrifice a few of their own sacred cows at the same time?! Never before released on vinyl, and with their 50th Anniversary in mind in 2023, The Residents now present 'Our Finest Flowers' for your consideration again.

SIDE A

1 Gone Again 

2 The Sour Song 

3 Six Amber Things 

4 Mr. Lonely 

5 Perfect Goat 

6 Blue Tongues 

7 Jungle Bunny 

8 I'm Dreaming Of A White Sailor

SIDE B: 

1 Or Maybe A Marine 

2 Kick A Picnic 

3 Dead Wood 

4 Baby Sister 

5 Forty-Four No More 

6 He Also Serves 

7 Ship Of Fools 

8 Be Kind To U-WEB Footed Friends

-- additional info: Philippe Lamoot

MONIKA ROSCHER BIGBAND - STARLIGHT NIGHTCRASH

Monika Roscher Bigband - Starlight Nightcrash (Official Video)

From the upcoming album
"Witchy Activities And The Maple Death"
(May 5th 2023, Zenna Records)
of the Monika Roscher Bigband, a prog big band of 18 musicians between math-jazz and avant-pop.

RSD 2023

Announced for Record Store Day 2023 :

• a vinyl version of The Residents' "Our Finest Flowers" on the Cherry Red Records label,
• an LP by the Missing Persons: "Live In NY 1981",
• a 50th anniv issue of Gong's "Angel's Egg",
• a Gong live show as a 3LP set,
• and an unauthorised Frank Zappa album: "Live In NY 1977", a 3 LP set 'radio broadcast' album

-- info: Philippe Lamoot

SUN RA - ELLINGTONIA, VOL.2

Did I already mention that the Cosmic Myth label released volume two in Sun Ra's "Ellingtonia" series?

Download-only.

 

PIERRE VERVLOESEM - UNDERWATER ADVENTURES

• pierre vervloesem: underwater adventures
      (2023, download, --, bandcamp)

Last week, Pierre too the stage at jazz club De Singer as part of Bruno Vansina's Orchestra Exotica to perform "Het Meisje En De Vogel", a shadow play for kids.
I have seen the show a couple of times already and I would have loved to see it again, but I was out of the country.

Anyway, Pierre's latest album makes up for the fact that I couldn't catch the concert. Especially since "Underwater Adventures" will be enjoyed by fans of Exotica.
It's Pierre's third release already in 2023 and it's (another) amazing album.

Pierre Vervloesem: guitar, bass, percussions, key and vocals
Jérôme Colleyn: drums

Great sound on the drums (recorded by Jean-Pierre Jonckheere). As if there's a train rolling by. Well, an underwater train, that is.
And Pierre goes all the way with the quirky melodies and with the guitar, and even added some air bubbles here and there.
I wonder what Jacques Cousteau would have thought of this...

Love it !
Check it out:

VARIOUS ARTISTS - PEANUT BUTTER WOLF - 2K8 B-BALL ZOMBIE WAR

• various artists: peanut butter wolf - 2k8 b-ball zombie war
      (2007, cd, usa, stones throw)

Producer and presenter Peanut Butter Wolf included MF Doom and Guilty Simpson’s reworking of J Dilla’s ‘Mash’ in his “2K8 B-Ball Zombie War” compilation album.
J Dilla's orginal included a sample of Frank Zappa's 'Dance Contest' : "He wants to get his girlfriend. Go get your girlfriend..."
MF Doom and Guilty Simpson kept the sample and even use the same line.
The track got previously released on the "B-Ball Zombie War Supreme Team" 12" earlier the same year.

I finally got the CD.
Lots of beats with Madlib, Aloe Blacc, Beat Konducta,...

FLAT EARTH SOCIETY ON CONCERTZENDER

The Dutch Concertzender radio channel will be broadcasting a special on Flat Earth Society.

De Concertzender ( NL )
Saturday - Feb 25 - 17h00

https://www.concertzender.nl/programma/het_grote_geluid_706146/

FRANK ZAPPA - YOUR MOTHER SHOULD KNOW

• frank zappa: your mother should know
      (2022, lp, --, parachute recording company)

Another unauthorised / radio show release on the Parachute Recording Company label.
Single LP.

Presenting the Ann Arbour 1967 show.

THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION - LIVE 1969 - LEGENDARY RADIO BROADCAST, TORONTO

• the mothers of invention, feat. frank zappa: live 1969, legendary radio broadcast, toronto
      (2023, lp - blue vinyl, -- laser media lm 16229)

Released last month, the well-known 1969 Toronto show.
Unauthorised release.
Transparant blue vinyl.

MADVILLAIN - MADVILLAINY

• madvillain: madvillainy
      (2004, 2lp, usa, stones throw records)

Madvillain was a collaboration project between MF Doom (MC) and Madlib (beats).
Their 'Meat Grinder' track, from the “Madvillainy” album, started with a repeating 'Sleeping In A Jar' (FZ) sample.
Released on vinyl and on CD.
I had the CD but as the vinyl got repressed last year and I just happened to come across a copy, I thought was a fine opportunity...

SUN RA AND HIS BLUE UNIVERSE ARKESTRA - UNIVERSE IN BLUE

• sun ra: universe in blue
      (2022, cd, usa, cosmic myth records)

Sun Ra's 1972 "Universe In Blue" album got remastered and re-issued by the Cosmic Myth Records label.
Available on LP and on CD.
CD with two bonus tracks.
And copies have finally arrived in Yurrip.

I went for the CD. Digipack. Comes with a 20-page booklet.
And with some great music.

THE EARLY BEATNIK ARTWORK OF FRANK ZAPPA

from Far Out magazine :

https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/discover-frank-zappa-early-artwork/

-- info: Jean Paul Carmona

ED PALERMO BIG BAND

This is fun.
The recent Ed Palermo Big Band "Copyright Infringement" show,
Audio only :

A MESSAGE FROM INVENTIONIS MATER

A message from Inventionis Mater

 
Dear friends,
we would like to sincerely thank everyone who contributed to our crowdfunding campaign: with the money raised we will definitely produce the new album both on CD and vinyl.

Also, you can listen to some previews of the album :

However, the production costs we will incur are still high, and for this we need everyone's help.

For those who would like to contribute and have the chance to be part of our artwork, there are still 45 hours left.

Here is the link to contribute: 

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

A message from our guest of honour: Napoleon Murphy Brock

Thanks again and best regards,
Pierpaolo Romani & Andrea Pennati

WILMA ARCHER - A WESTERN CIRCULAR

• wilma archer: a western circular
      (2020, lp, europe, weird world)

Wilma Archer (Will Archer)’s debut album included ‘Scarecrow’, a track he had already released on 12” in 2018. The track is clearly inspired by FZ’s ‘Black Napkins’.

“A Western Circular” was made available on LP and on CD.
Next to the standard black vinyl editions, the album has also been released (in limited editions) on clear vinyl and on creamy white vinyl, the latter being a 2020 Love Record Stores edition.
There’s even an edition on clear vinyl that came with a bonus 12”.

Here are the pictures of the promo / DJ CDR release. I was happy to acquire a copy of this.

 

'Scarecrow' :

TRIBootes

You should know TRI from Michael Pabst's "Bowdlerized Music" and from TRI's "Universum" and "Flies".

TRI has been releasing quite a bit of music through Bandcamp.
One of their more recent collaborations, was with Alieno DeBootes (= Alessandro Pizzin).
If you're not familiar with Alessandro Pizzin's work, check out his contributions to the Yahozna Plays Zappa project, the book he wrote on FZ, or his recent Residents tribute CD that got issued on the Klanggalerie label.

More recently, TRI and Alieno DeBootes released "Assenza Di Gravità" as TRIBootes.
You can check it out here :

 

J DILLA - DONUTS

The late Detroit hip hop record producer and DJ James Dewitt Yancey was better known as J Dilla or Jay Dee.

He released his “Donuts” album in 2006 on the Stone Throw Records label. The track ‘Mash’ sampled Frank Zappa’s ‘Dance Contest’.
There’s also an instrumental version of this album but that does not include the Zappa sample.

J Dilla completed the album during a year he spent mostly in a hospital bed in Los Angeles, Only three days after its release, February 10, 2006, the artist passed away, losing his battle with a rare blood disease.

The CD got released with two different album covers. Here's a picture of the second version :

The vinyl version had yet another album cover.

The 2011 re-issue of the 2 LP set carried the ‘smile’ cover, previously only used for the CD release.
2013 saw a re-issue of the "Donuts" album on seven 7" singles, plus 1 bonus 7".
The 2016 vinyl re-issue had a gatefold sleeve and different back cover artwork, showing a helicopter and mountains. Later vinyl re-issues presented the same back cover artwork.

On a side, note, MF Doom reworked 'Mash' as 'Mash's Revenge' and released it in 2007. It not only included the FZ sample, but had Guilty Simpson doing his rap together with FZ.

-

BJO INVITES AKA MOON

 On Bruzz TV :

Brussels Jazz Orchestra invites Aka Moon,
a glimpse of the rehearsal.

https://www.bruzz.be/videoreeks/maandag-15-februari-2021/video-brussels-jazz-orchestra-en-aka-moon-vieren-samen-30ste

FRANK ZAPPA - OSAKA NIGHTS

I need to make a correction on my previous post on the "Osaka Nights" radio show album.
I mentioned that disc two had a ridiculous track separation. It seems that I made a mistake when ripping the CD to my external hard disc. I still had the data for disc one on the dBPowerAmp software that I use, so I ripped  CD number two according to the timing that was set for the format of CD number one. Didn't even know this was possible. Never happened before.

Anyway, I did rip it again and enjoyed listening to it this morning.

BELGIUM CUSTOMS SHOULD BE ASHAMED

Belgian customs has just raised its handling costs from 15 euro to 17.50 euro.

Buying a CD from outside Europe for 16 euro and 10 euro shipment, will now cost me
16 + 10 + (16+10)*21% + 17.50 euro...
Are we paying for their upcoming Easter party or what ??

The bigger companies (the Amazons of this world) know how to handle this, but it's the smaller DIY artist, record company or distributor that are the victims as they won't be selling into Europe anymore (although I've heard that Belgian customs is leading the absurdities when it comes to handling costs).

SOLIDARITY WITH FEBRUARY 2023 EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

Les Disques Bongo Joe just released a collection of tracks that one can buy in support of the earthquake victims in Türkiye and Syria.

ANOTHER TRACK FROM FRANK ZAPPA'S UPCOMING ALBUM HAS BEEN RELEASED ON YOUTUBE

City Of Tiny Lites (Live At Olympiahalle, Munich, Germany, July 3, 1980)

ARTHUR BARROW ON BANDCAMP

Arthur Barrow, who played bass in Zappa's band and has worked quite a lot with Robbie Krieger, has just released another track on Bandcamp :

'The Old Front Porch'

 

KOENJIHYAKKEI

Skingraft Records will be re-issuing Koenjihyakkei's "Nivraym" album.
To be released on vinyl on on CD.

KOENJIHYAKKEI's THIRD ALBUM REVAMPED, REVISITED AND ON VINYL FOR THE FIRST TIME 

Years after its original 2001 release, band leader Tatsuya Yoshida and the current Koenjihyakkei line-up (as heard on 'Dhorimvishka') returned to the 'Nivraym' master recordings and went to work - adding new flourishes, additional overdubs and re-recorded drum tracks. Now, for its first ever vinyl release, the album has been remixed, remastered and re-sequenced for this revolutionary revisitation - the band's purest, most uncompromising expression of Zeuhl music to date; blending progressive rock, symphonic rock, fusion and neoclassicism with the energy of hardcore punk, the volume of metal and the attitude of rock in opposition.

Here's a YouTube thing of the original 2001 album.

DISHWASHER

There's electronic music, and then there's electronic music...

Dishwasher, featuring

• Werend Van Den Bossche - horns & keyboard
• Arno Grootaers - drums, samples
• Louise Van Den Heuvel - bass,

has announced their first album release. It will be out on Sdban Records :

 

dEUS - HOW TO REPLACE IT

The new dEUS album is out as of today.
2 LP, 2 LP on clear vinyl, and CD.

LALALAR - BI CINNETE BAKAR

• lalalar: bi cinnete bakar
      (2022, lp, turkey, les disques bongo joe)

Turkish ensemble Lalalar recently released "Bi Cinnete Bakar", Turkish music with psychedelic influences (and a disco beat).
Unlike anything I've heard before...

Give it a try :

WILMA ARCHER - SCARECROW

• Wilma Archer: Scarecrow
      (2018, 12”, Europe, weird world record co)

Composer, record producer and songwriter Will Archer uses the alias Wilma Archer.

He released ‘Scarecrow’ on 12" in 2018. The track is clearly inspired by FZ’s ‘Black Napkins’ and would later be released on his “A Western Circular” album in 2020.

moe.

Jamband moe. has performed FZ's 'San Ber'dino' in concert on some occasions.
https://www.jambase.com/article/cover-alert-moe-covers-san-berdino-by-frank-zappa

And their guitar player even inserted a snippet of FZ's 'Inca Roads' during some of the live performances of 'Four' !!

(around 11 minutes into the song)

ELDER - INNATE PASSAGE

• elder: innate passage
      (2022, 2lp, --, stickman records)

Discogs defines Elder as:
Heavy Psych / Stoner / Progressive Metal band from Massachusetts, formed in 2005.
and adds:
Currently based in Berlin, Germany.

Listening to "Innate Passage", it sure looks like Berlin is the place to be for new bands.
"Innate Passage" is an energetic, impressive album.
Five pieces. Five elaborate pieces.
This is a fine discovery !

 

ANDY BLADE - PLASTIC PENNY & THE STRANGE WOODEN HORSE

• andy blade: plastic penny & the strange wooden horse
      (2016, cd, UK, flycatcher records)

UK-based singer, guitarist and songwriter Andy Blade released his version of FZ’s ‘Let’s Make The Water Turn Black’ on his “Plastic Penny & The Strange Wooden Horse” album.
From 2016.
Good old ebay helped me to find a copy of this CD.

PHISH - - - PHISH - JUNTA - LAWN BOY - PICTURE OF NECTAR - RIFT

• phish: phish
      (1998, cd, usa, phish archives)

It's sort of a Phish day over here.
I started the day with "Phish".
Originally made available as a set of demos in 1986/1987 and eventually released as an eponymous CD in 1998 (and re-issued in 2010).
Fine album. It has the typical Phish sound.

• phish: junta
      (1992, 2cd, usa, elektra)

The Phish adventure continued with "Junta", Phish' debut studio album.

Released on tape in 1989, the album did get a CD release in 1992 (with some bonus material).
Sounds more 'prog' than I would have expected.

• phish: lawn boy
      (1990, lp, usa, absolute a go go records)

The best Phish album I've heard so far. A typical, relaxed jam band feel plus some great guitar solos by Trey Anastasio.
Love it.

• phish: a picture of nectar
      (1992, cd, usa, elektra)

Moving from the smaller Absolute Go Go Records label to Elektra must have been quite the step for Phish.
Lots of different styles or blending of different styles on "A Picture Of Nectar".
Nice.

• phish: rift
      (1993, cd, usa, elektra)

"Rift" was the fourth studio album by Phish.
A bit mellow an soft, maybe, but still a very nice album.

I guess I'll have to call it a day... Don't want a Phish overdose...
But I'm quite happy with what I've heard.

TOO NOISY FISH ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM

a message from Too Noisy Fish

Very big, exciting news! We're releasing our newest album "Too Many Fish - 10 years Too Noisy Fish" on March 10, on Mighty Quinn Records. Get ready to celebrate our tenth anniversary with us.

THE BANNED FROM UTOPIA TO PERFORM AT ZAPPANALE

It has been confirmed.

It's not the Zappa Band, but it's The Banned From Utopia that will be performing at Zappanale !

With Robert Martin, Chad Wackerman, Scott Thunes, Ray White, Robbie Mangano and Jamie Kime.

https://www.zappanale.de/

THE FURIOUS BONGOS

The Furious Bongos will be performing the music of Frank Zappa at Zappanale.
If you can't wait, you can catch them here :

HANS ANNELLSSON - ARE YOU PREPARED ? - THE PIANO ALBUM

Hans Annéllsson has just released "Are You Prepared ? - The Piano Album".
You'll only need to listen five seconds to figure out that the title is a play on words for the prepared piano that is being used.
Solo prepared piano, to be more precisely.

Odd and strange, but with a certain appeal.

 

SNARKY PUPPY WINS GRAMMY

Snarky Puppy wins a Grammy for their "Empire Central" album in the category Contemporary Instrumental Album.
It's not their first Grammy as they won in the same category in 2016, 2017 and 2021 !

Congrats !

SUN RA - ELLINGTONIA, VOL.2

The second volume of "Ellingtonia" is out !
Sun Ra's tribute to the music of Duke Ellington.
Bandcamp release : digital download / streaming only.

With the recent "Universe In Blue" CD, the "Ellingtonia, Vol.1" that got released last year, and with the upcoming "Schauburg Bremen Germany" (unauthorised) LP, Sun Ra's music is still getting a lot of attention.

EIDON - BALLET MÉCANIQUE

Several pieces on Eidon's "Ballet Mécanique" mention Frank Zappa in the liner notes.
Reason enough to check it out and I wasn't disappointed. Quite the opposite of disappointed, actually.

CABALLERO REYNALDO - LO MEJOR DE LOS KAZOOS

• caballero reynaldo: lo mejor de los kazoos
      (2023, cd, Spain, hall of fame records)

Caballero Reynaldo is the moniker of Luis González, the man behind Hall Of Fame Records and its fabulous Unmatched Series.

Released on CD and for download and streaming through Bandcamp, the “Lo Mejor De Los Kazoos” isa remastered compilation album.
The CD got released in a limited edition of 25 copies !!
Featuring Luis González, Manu Vicente (g), Manoel Macía (g), Fernando M. Romero (v), Rebeca Ibáñez (v), Santi Serrano (d); Román García (b), Marieta Tamarit (v), Luis Prado (p, k), Oscar Cuenca (arrangements, trb) & José Mencías (sax).

Playful, funny, sort of lounge jazz versions of classic Frank Zappa tunes.
This is absolutely amazing.

Check it out :

ED PALERMO IN CONCERT

 

JIM BENNION'S TRIBUTE TO FRANK ZAPPA

 

STEVE VAI JAPANESE RADIO SHOW RELEASE

The concert that Steve Vai did in Nijmegen, NL, in 2000 got bootlegged on the "Welcome To The Ultra Zone" CD set some twenty years ago.
More recently, it got released as a radio show concert album, making it available from different record shops.

PHISH - SIGMA OASIS

• phish: sigma oasis
      (2020, lp, usa, jemp records)

Last week, I was happy to enjoy Phish's "Sigma Oasis" album.
Jam-band Phish does exactly what they're expected to: delivering 9 fine songs with their typical groove.

I'm familiar with their live shows as I have listened to a lot of their shows in which they performed FZ's 'Peaches', but a studio album is quite a different thing.
I love it !

Note to myself : I've got to dive into the Phish discography...

A NEW SUN RA LIVE ALBUM ANNOUNCED

Scheduled for a February release:
"Sun Ra Arkestra : Schauburg Bremen Germany June 24 1986";

vinyl album;
on the WHP label, specialized in radio show concerts

THE RESIDENTS - GOD IN 3 PERSONS LIVE !

According to my inbox, The Residents' "God In 3 Persons Live !" movie is ready and is being shipped out to supporters.
I'm enjoying the digital download version at this very moment.
Have a nice Sunday !

PRE-SALE FUND RAISING FOR SOFT MACHINE'S NEXT ALBUM

https://moonjunerecords.bandcamp.com/community

https://softmachine.org/store

FRANK ZAPPA - OSAKA NIGHTS

• Frank Zappa: Osaka Nights
  (2022, 2cd, --, leftfield media lfm2cd689)

The "Osaka Nights" radio show album arrived at the imaginary U.M. headquarters last week.
One of FZ's finest concerts.
Previously out as "The Eyes Of Osaka", but also available for a (free) download over at Zappateers.

FZ (g, v), Napoleon Murphy Brock (sax, fl, v), Andre Lewis (k), Roy Estrada (b, v), Terry Bozzio (d)
1976/02/03 Osaka, Japan

disc one

1. Naval Aviation In Art?
2. Incan Intro
3. Stink-Foot
4. The Poodle Lecture
5. Dirty Love
6. Filthy Habits
7. How Could I Be Such A Fool?
8. I Ain’t Got No Heart
9. I’m Not Satisfied
10. Black Napkins
11. Advance Romance
12. Honey, Don’t You Want A Man Like Me?

disc two

1. The Illinois Enema Bandit
2. Wind Up Workin’ In A Gas Station
3. Tryin’ To Grow A Chin
4. The Torture Never Stops
5. Chunga’s Revenge
6. Zoot Allures
7. Ship Ahoy
8. Incan Outro
9. I’m The Slime
10. San Ber’dino
11. Incan Outro

EIDON VEDA

Next to the ones I already mentioned on this blog, browsing through Eidon Veda's discography, I found quite a number of references to Frank Zappa.

Eidon Veda’s) released ‘Fractal Mold’ on his “Railroad Tracks” album.
Eidon added:
Music directly derived from speech patterns -- from a spoken text, or a dialogue -- that's one of the many things that I learned from Frank Zappa.
This is an example of that idea/principle:
I first created the text:
Then I started to animate that text -- I turned it into lyrics, in a sense.
After that, I wrote the music for those lyrics. Lyrics that, ultimately, I did not use.

Eidon Veda’s “Unknow” album included a piece entitled ‘FZ’.
The info said:
A Grundgestalt to Frank.

‘Xenochrazy I’ is a crazy xenochrony.
And on the the artwork:
It couples elements from "200 Motels" with others from "Ballet Mécanique" and even a picture from the "dark Myth" anime. All mixed up and fractalized with GIMP/G'MIC.

BILLY COBHAM WITH THE GEORGE DUKE BAND - NEW YORK 1976

• Billy Cobham And The George Duke Band: New York 1976
      (2022, cd, Europe, top note)

Recorded in concert at the ‘Hofstra Playhouse’ in New York on 1976, this Billy Cobham / George Duke concert got previously released on CD by the Gonzo Multimedia label in 2016.

Featuring Billy Cobham on drums George Duke on keyboards, Alphonso Johnson on bass and John Scofield on guitar, the quartet performed ‘Echidna’s Arf’ and ‘Uncle Remus’.
Unofficial and unauthorised ‘radio show’ release.

STEVE VAI - FLEX-ABLE 36th ANNIVERSARY EDITION

• steve vai: flex-able 36th anniversary edition
      (2022, cd, usa, light without heat)

Steve Vai celebrated the 36th anniversary of "Flex-Able" (originally from 1984) by releasing a version that got remastered by Bernie Grundman.
CD, standard LP, picture disc, and various coloured vinyl editions.

Great sound. And the extended liner notes are a fine read.
(https://www.vai.com/AllAboutSteve/disconotes_flexable.html)

Two of the songs ('Little Green Men' and 'Junkie') included a 7-note motif, inspired by a Frank Zappa riff (that FZ never used), as an ode to FZ. The motif would return in ‘Answers’, a piece on Steve’s 1990 “Passion And Warfare” album, as well as in ‘Wire And Wood’ that can be found on the 1985 Alcatrazz album.

BURKHARD SCHEMPP - ZAPPA'S MUSIC IS STILL VERY MUCH ALIVE

• zappa's music is still very much alive
  by burkhard schempp
      (2021, book + blu-ray, Germany, private release)

Produced as a luxurious Christmas card / present, Burkhard Schempp had 10 (!!) of these booklets printed.
Oblong format and counting 90 pages, the booklet documented :
- a selection of bands covering the music of FZ
- the Zappanale albums
- a number of Zappanale concerts (including setlists).
- the Unmatched CD Series
Noteworthy was the blu-ray disc that accompanied the book. It included mp3's of everything mentioned.

EIDON - LEY LINES

Eidon’s (or Eidon Veda) “Ley Lines” album included a piece entitled ‘Studio Z’.
Eideon added:
Dedicated to Frank Vincent Zappa (December 21, 1940 – December 4, 1993).
In 2019, Eidon had already released a tribute to Ruth Underwood, entitled ‘Ruth’, on his “My Little Grundgestalts” album.

Reason enough to check out the entire "Ley Lines" album !!

MEN & VOLTS - WEARING ANOTHER MAN'S HAT

• Men & Volts: Wearing Another Man’s Hat
      (2022, download, --, bandcamp)

Active in Boston, Massachusetts from 1979 to the mid-90s, Men & Volts released five albums. Amazing albums that should be in everyone's collection.

In later years the band would release a compilation box set, a live album (recorded in 1979-80), and several albums with demos (through Bandcamp).

Last year's “Wearing Another Man’s Hat” presented a collection of covers recorded in various settings, live and studio.
The album included the band’s version of FZ’s ‘Willie The Pimp’.

MONIKA ROSCHER BIGBAND - 8 PRINZESSINNEN

Monika Roscher Bigband - 8 Prinzessinnen

Lead single from the upcoming third album "Witchy Activities And The Maple Death" (May 5th 2023, Zenna Records) of the Monika Roscher Bigband, a prog big band of 18 musicians between math-jazz and avant-pop.

ONE SHOT DEAL

Re-posting this as it's happening in a couple of days !!

LEONARDO PIANTINO Y SUS RATAS CALIENTES

Leonardo Piantino y sus Ratas Calientes - Oh No/The Orange County Lumber Truck
From 2015.

-- info: Ricardo Salinas on Facebook

LONDON

I happened to be in London last week. Inspired by my pal Philippe, I took the opportunity to visit some record shops. Let's call it the Soho-tour.
Going up Shaftesburry Ave from Picadilly Circus and then taking a left on Wardour Street, my first stop was Sounds Of The Universe Records.

Linked with the "Soul Jazz label", and quite an exotic range of music: reggae, latin music, dub, beats,...
I had hoped to find a copy of Paque's "Akaliko" album, but with no avail.
Paque recorded and released a piece entitled 'Dinosaur Zappa'. Out on 12" and on their "Akaliko" album... How about that fuzz guitar?

"Reckless Records" was literally only a turn away.

I'll definitely revisit Reckless Records when I have some extra time. Impressive collection and friendly staff. When I asked them if they had Andy Blade's "Plastic Penny And The Strange Wooden Horse", and they told me that they didn't have it, they even advised me to check out Sister Ray on the other side of the street.
Nice chaps.
Here's the demo for Andy Blade's version of FZ's 'Let's Make The Water Turn Black. Eventually, he would release the final version on "Plastic Penny".

And, yes, Sister Ray will is on my revisit list as well.
Alternative, punk, rock, including some rare old Mothers albums. I should have done my homework and brought my list of Zappa albums with me. Anyway, not 'just' a punk shop.

The next place to visit was Phonica Records. The techno beats caught me a bit off guard... I even forgot to take a picture of the front of the shop...
Maybe next time.
Maybe...

And then there was Rough Trade.
I remember visiting oneof the London Rough Trade shop during one of my previous visits, but that most certainly was not their Soho shop.
Based in the cellar, below a clothes store, and almost completely focusing on new releases, this wasn't what I expected.
I should have picked up the vinyl version of J Dilla's "Donuts". Next time.

And then, finally, the reason for this record store short track: Third Man Records.

Third Man Records re-released Captain Beefheart's "Trout Mask Replica".
A coloured vinyl edition as part of their subscription package in 2018 and made available separately to members in 2021.
Fortunately, they also produced a 'regular' re-issue on black vinyl.

"Special thanks to Paul R. Dickinson Jr. for providing us with the original Trout Mask Replica cover photograph which we thought had been lost to time."
"2012 return by W.B. Note: The years in storage in Warners were not kind to Trout Mask Replica. The masters seriously suffer from oxide loss, primarily at the head of each of the four master reels. Fortunately, FZ had Dick Kunc make "safeties." These actually sound better than the Originals and are in excellent condition but alas, incomplete. This edition of Trout Mask Replica is from the ZFT Vault protection copies, transferred at 96K 24B, except for Frownland and Hair Pie: Bake 2 which are from the original damaged master tapes transferred to direct stream digital at UMRK.
DSD workstation provided by Gus Skinas, Super Audio Center.
Vaultmeisterment & Transfers by Joe Travers, UMRK, 2012."

Mission accomplished, and, yes, it did fit in my suitcase  :-)