Friday, June 30, 2023

ZAPPA NEWSLETTER - DIVE INTO THE ABYSS OF FUNKY NOTHINGNESS

Funky Nothingness Is Here

Ladies and gentlemen, it gives us great pleasure to announce that the latest sonic creation, Funky Nothingness, has been unleashed upon the world! You can stream now on all platforms. And for those who crave the tangible, don’t panic! Vinyl and CDs are also available for your pleasure.

Working with the tracks that Zappa had produced, mixed, and worked on over the years, we compiled an 11-track album, naming it Funky Nothingness after a bluesy, stripped-down piece that the artist had recorded in 1967 at the end of one of the sessions for Uncle Meat. Originally intended to open an early version of "Chunga’s Revenge," the short, unreleased track “sets the tone for the album,” explains Joe Travers. Although the track was recorded a few years before most of the music presented here, Zappa eventually connected it to build a reel, signaling he was planning a release.

While a couple recordings from these sessions have been released over the years (fans may remember the 12-minute version of “Sharleena” from 1996’s posthumous collection, The Lost Episodes), the album introduces these recordings as a cohesive collection for the very first time. “Funky Nothingness, as an album, is special in that it features at least three written compositions, three cover versions and multiple instrumental jam-oriented segments, all previously unreleased,” Travers explains. “It’s very rare to find that amount of music from one set of sessions that has gone unheard for such a long period of time.”


TOADS OF THE SHORT FOREST

Debut album by Toads Of The Short Forest, a garage-psych-freakbeat combo from Sweden.
"Mindmower"


-- info: Danny Mathys
 

NORTH SEA JAZZ FESTIVAL

If I would have to pick one day to visit the North Sea Jazz Festival, it would be Sunday July 9, 2023.

https://www.northseajazz.com/nl/programma/2023/zondag-9-juli/blokkenschema/

Corrie van Binsbergen, Hermeto Pascoal, John McLaughlin's Shakti, and Brandford Marsalis...


Thursday, June 29, 2023

FUNKO POP ROCKS VINYL FIGURES

I know, I know.
And, no, these aren't mine.




And there's also a Steve Vai one, but I couldn't find a decent picture of it.

MARK TURNER QUARTET - LATHE OF HEAVEN

  • mark turner quartet: lathe of heaven
        (2014, cd, Germany, ecm)

"Lathe Of Heaven" is another fine album by Mark Turner.
The quartet consisted of Mark Turner (tenor saxophone), Avishai Cohen (trumpet), Joe Martin (double bass), and Marcus Gilmore (drums)

The interplay of Mark Turner and Avishai Cohen is remarkable and beautiful at the same time. The both of them play the long, different and intertwined melody lines together.
And the improvisations are great as well. Love it.

Recommended listening.

The below YouTube video has some sound snippets and also explains the album title !


PEUK

Peuk = Nele Janssen, Jacky Willems and Dave Schroyen (Evil Superstars / Millionaire / Creature With The Atom Brain)

Their brand-new album is entitled "Escape Somehow".


FLY = MARK TURNER, LARRY GRENADIER & JEFF BALLARD

 Fly is Mark Turner (sax), Larry Grenadier (bass), and Jeff Ballard (drums).
The trio released 3 album between 2004 and 2012.
I've enjoyed "Sky & Country" (2009) and "Year Of The Snake" (2012) this morning.
A sensation I can highly recommend.

The optical reference :

"Sky & Country" (2009)

"Year Of The Snake" (2012)

GUTHRIE GOVAN - ZOOT ALLURES

 We know Guthrie Govan as the guitar player from The Aristocrats. And from his amazing solo album, "Erotic Nightmares".
Before all that, Guthrie was one of the regular contributors to Guitar Techniques, a guitar tuition magazine (that came with a CD). No clue if the mag still exists.

The June 2004 issue of Guitar Techniques included an article, a transcription and a recording of Frank Zappa's 'Zoot Allures' by Guthrie.
And, yes, that's from 20 years ago.

The mag, with FZ on the cover,

and the CD


Wednesday, June 28, 2023

ENSEMBLE MODERN - PLAYS FRANK ZAPPA - GREGGERY PECCARY & OTHER PERSUASIONS

  • Ensemble Modern: Ensemble Modern Plays Frank Zappa - Greggery Peccary & Other Persuasions
        (2003, cd, Germany, bmg)

This one belongs in everyone's collection.

Released in Germany and in Japan in 2003 by the BMG record label, with the "RCA red seal" and mentioning "WDR 3" in the upper right corner of the album artwork.
The German edition mentioned "Copy Control" in the lower right corner.
The Japanese edition came with an obi.
Both digipack.

Released in the USA in 2004 by RCA/BMG. Still with the "RCA red seal", but without the mention of "WDR 3" and the "Copy Control" logo. Digipack release.

Also in 2004, an unofficial release by the Russian  G&P Essential Music label appeared.
Jewel case and the album cover did no longer show the "RCA red seal" !

An essential release, in any version.


PIERRE VERVLOESEM - ZGOUING

Pierre Vervloesem has updated his "Zgouing" album.
The previous (original) version got released in 2022.


THE NEW ALBUM BY THE ZERO ENSEMBLE IS OUT !!

ZEROensemble just released Six of One by The Zappa Early Renaissance Orchestra, check it out here.


“Another CD from Z.E.R.O.? Yep, our sixth CD, "Six of One" is finished and ready to go. 12 more explorations of Zappa's music (...13 if you buy it here!) from the international musical organization we call The Zappa Early Renaissance Orchestra. We hope you enjoy the new collection!
ZappaCheers!”


YASI HOFER TRIO - LIVE AT THE PUB

  • yasi hofer trio: live at the pub
        (2018, 2cd, Germany, private release)
Recorded live in concert, this 2 CD set shows what Yasi Hofer is all about.

Yasi Hofer (guitar & vocals), Steffen Knauss (bass) and Christoph Scherer (drums).
A tight trio that performs guitar-oriented, melodic rock tunes.
All original compositions.
Nice !!

Here's 'Troubled', a track that can also be found on the "Live At The Pub" album.



THE GIRLS IN THE MAGNESIUM DRESS

With the upcoming Zappanale festival, and the Hamburg happening, Valentina Ciardelli had to be on today's playlist.
Flashback to 2022.

  • Anna Astesano and Valentina Ciardelli: [Ruutsu]: The Girls In The Magnesium Dress
        (2022, cd, Italy, da vinci classics)
Anna Astesano (harp) and Valentina Ciardelli (double bass) are The Girls In The Magnesium Dress.
Their ” [Ruutsu]” album included Frank Zappa’s ‘Blessed Relief’ in an arrangement of Valentina Ciardelli as a bonus track.

Here's The Girls In The Magnesium Dress in concert :


PIERREJEAN GAUCHER

Revisiting Pierrejean Gaucher's "Zappe Satie" album today.

  • Pierrejean Gaucher: Zappe Satie
        (2021, cd, France, musiclip)
After having done a similar exercise with Frank Zappa’s music on his “Zappe Zappa” album, French guitarist and composer Pierrejean Gaucher zapped through (and got inspired by) Erik Satie’s repertoire on “Zappa Satie”.
The album included a couple of nods to FZ’s music as well.


ANOTHER ZAPPA RADIO SHOW ALBUM ANNOUNCED

It's been a while, but a new Frank Zappa radio show album got announced:

"Live... Buffalo, N.Y. 1974"
Unauthorized.
To be released in July.

FZ (g,v), Napoleon Murphy Brock (sax, fl, v), Tom Fowler (b), George Duke (k, v), Ruth Underwood (perc), Chester Thompson (d)

1974 11 15 - Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, NY

01. Tush Tush Tush * 02. Stink-Foot * 03. RDNZL * 04. Village Of The Sun * 05. Echidna's Arf (Of You) * 06. Don’t You Ever Wash That Thing? * 07. Penguin In Bondage * 08. T’Mershi Duween * 09. The Dog Breath Variations / Uncle Meat * 10. Building A Girl * 11. Don’t Eat The Yellow Snow * 12. Nanook Rubs It * 13. St. Alfonzo’s Pancake Breakfast * 14. Father O’Blivion* 15. Camarillo Brillo * 16. Trouble Every Day

-- info: Danny Mathys

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

WILLIAM SHATNER

William Shatner's 2013 "Ponder The Mystery" album get's a remix and a re-release.

from GlassOnyonPR :

WILLIAM SHATNER’s “Most Creative” Project, A Star-Studded Prog Rock Album, Celebrates Its 10 Year Anniversary With An Entirely New Remix & Release!


Album features performances by Steve Vai, Rick Wakeman, Hawkwind’s Simon House and Nik Turner, Tangerine Dream’s Edgar Froese,The Doors’ Robby Krieger, jazz great Al Di Meola, country superstar Vince Gill and others!

Los Angeles, CA - On the eve of its original release in 2013, William Shatner, one of the most prolific and visionary artists of his generation, declared Ponder The Mystery “quite possibly the most creative thing I have ever done.” A sprawling epic of progressive rock music and poignant, personal lyrics, Ponder The Mystery continued Shatner’s lifelong pursuit to find answers to life’s mysteries both beyond the cosmos and in the majestic mundanity of everyday experience. The album earned high praise not only from several of its stellar guest artists who performed on the tracks but also music fans and critics the world over.

Now, a decade later, this masterpiece is being revisited. A bold new mix by prodigious producer Jürgen Engler brings Shatner’s deft and poetic wordplay into the foreground while still making room for the all-star guests including Steve Vai, Rick Wakeman, Simon House, Nik Turner, Edgar Froese, Al Di Meola, Vince Gill, Mick Jones, Dave Koz, Robby Krieger and others! Check out the title track, “Ponder The Mystery” featuring the guitar stylings of rock legend Steve Vai, which is released today for a sampling of how this new version revamps and reinvigorates the original.



Ponder The Mystery Revisited will be available on CD and vinyl as well as digital on August 25th.

TRACK LIST:

1. Red Shift
2. Where It's Gone...I Don't Know feat. Mick Jones
3. Manhunt feat. Simon House
4. Ponder The Mystery feat. Steve Vai
5. So Am I feat. Al Di Meola
6. Change feat. Rick Wakeman
7. Sunset feat. Joel Vandroogenbroeck
8. Twilight feat. Edgar Winter
9. Rhythm Of The Night feat. Nik Turner
10. Imagine Things feat. Vince Gill
11. Do You See? feat. Edgar Froese
12. Deep Down feat. Robby Krieger
13. I'm Alright, I Think feat. Dave Koz
14. Where Does Time Go? feat. George Duke
15. Alive feat. Zoot Horn Rollo


Monday, June 26, 2023

THE WEEVER SANDS

The Weever Sands.
One of the intriguing artists that I discovered earlier this year.

They have released three albums
(that are available from https://shop.trommelfell-records.de/)

Check out the band's YouTube Channel to get some audio clips:
https://www.youtube.com/@The-weever-sands

All albums feature album cover artwork by Esther Brückner.
Strange and peculiar.
It's fits the music.


2016 - CD - "Keep Your Face Turned To The Light"


2020 - CD - "Stylobat's Travels"


2022 - CD - "Secrets Of The Pecking Order"


SUN RA - PROPHET

A new download-only Sun Ra album was made available:

"Prophet"

Featuring what may be his only recordings on the Prophet keyboard, these once lost performances expand the omniverse of Sun Ra across a stellar set of lengthy cuts. These works were recorded in a single day and are making their terrestrial debut.

 

Sunday, June 25, 2023

DIRTY FEETZ

Berlin, Germany-based rock band Dirty Feetz has released one CD EP, another CD and one digital-only release..
Their debut CD EP was called "Ganze Nacht Volume Two" (Entire Night Vol.2)
Their first full CD got the title "Halbes Kilo Aprikosen" (Half A Kilo Of Aprikots)
And their latest one, download-only, is entitled "Flip Flop".

Pleasantly disturbed.
The band performed at Zappanale in 2017.


Both of the CDs are still available (and carry beautiful artwork !)

"Ganze Nacht Volume Two"

"Halbes Kilo Aprikosen"

"Flip Flop"


EIDON - TIKKUTÄKKI

Here's an excellent opportunity to dive into Eidon's musical world. 
"Tikkutäkki" is a collection of Eidon's recent compositions, exercises and experiments.
Some of these even have a link to FZ's universe.


ADDITIONAL INFO ON THE MOONJUNE MUSIC FESTIVAL

MoonJune Music Festival Toledo Spain - September 28 to October 1 

4 DAYS of MoonJune Experience in the beautiful historic city of Toledo, La Mancha, Spain. Music, round-tables, gastronomy, hangout & more.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/moonjune-music-festival-toledo-spain-september-28-to-october-1-tickets-655864667877


EIDON - IN VOC' AZIONE (KOTODAMA)

New piece by Eidon.


FRANK ZAPPA RE-RELEASES ON THE JAPANESE OLDAYS RECORDS LABEL

Two interesting albums surfaced recently.
April 2022, the Japanese Oldays Records label re-issued a mono version of The Mothers Of Invention's "Freak Out" album. On CD.
And May 2023, a bit over a year later, saw the release of the mono version of "Absolutely Free". Also on CD.

Both were issued in (non fold-out) mini-LP sleeves, included a Japanese info sheet and an obi.
The packaging looked great and the albums sounded as good as expected.


-


YASI HOFER - FREEDOM

  • yasi hofer: freedom
        (2019, cd, Germany, 36music)
Getting ready for the next edition of Zappanale implies that I'm also looking back at last year's festivities.
One of the highlights was Yasi Hofer's morning concert at the exhibition room.

Saying that Yasi Hofer plays the guitar is an understatement. She's an amazing guitarist.
Here 2018 album, "Freedom", presented 12 tracks.
Most of these are melodic lyrical instrumentals, also there's a few tracks with vocals as well.

Beautiful !


DAVE LOMBARDO - RITES OF PERCUSSION

  • dave lombardo: rites of percussion
        (2023, download, --, bandcamp)
Years ago, Dave Lombardo was the drummer for Slayer. In more recent years, he could be heard playing drums with Fantômas and Mr. Bungle, to name just two.

I received this digital download yesterday, and I have to say I'm completely flabbergasted.
This is amazing !!

Apparently, Dave was called "the godfather of double bass drums" by drummerworld, and that might well be the case.

Exceptional.
Energetic and powerful. And this guy is my age...
Love it.

Out on LP and on CD, and also available through Bandcamp.


THE GRANDMOTHERS - A 20 YEAR ANTHOLOGY OF THE GRANDMOTHERS VOL.2

  • the grandmothers: a 20 year anthology of the grandmothers vol.2
        (2008, cd, Germany, inkanish / private release)
The latst Inkanish release that I will be mentioning this weekend: volume two of the Grandmothers "20 year" anthology.
Compiled from several Grandmothers albums and including a couple of Frank Zappa tunes.
Again, at least two different versions of artwork have been spotted.
Released around 2008 and I was very happy to come across this copy last year at Zappanale, 15 years after it was produced by Jimmy Carl Black.


Saturday, June 24, 2023

BLACK BROWN STONE - RADIO ONE "CUCAMONGA"

  • black brown stone: radio one cucamonga for belgian national radio
        (2008 (2008, cdr, Germany, inkanish / private release)
Recorded in 2006 by Jimmy Carl Black, Steven De Bruyn and Jos Steen, and produced by Zjakki Willems for the Belgian Cucamonga radio show, the recordings got released by Jos Steen on his Soj Neets label in 2007.
Jimmy Carl Black released the recordings on his Inkanish label in 2008.
At least two different album covers were used by Jimmy Carl Black. I found this second version last year.

The (excellent) album includes the trio performing FZ's 'Willie The Pimp'.


EUGENE CHADBOURNE & JIMMY CARL BLACK - THE JACK AND JIM SHOW - THINK '69 TOUR OF THE USA

  • Eugene Chadbourne & Jimmy Carl Black: The Jack And Jim Show - Think ’69 Tour Of The USA
        (2008, cdr, Germany, inkanish records / private release)
In 2007, Eugene Chadbourne and Jimmy Carl Black did a "Think '69 Tour Of The USA".
The Kansas City concert got released on CDR on Jimmy Carl Black’s Inkanish CDR record label.
The set (and CDR) included the duo performing FZ's 'Who Are The Brain Police', 'Willie The Pimp', and 'Take Your Clothes Off'.

I was familiar with the version that had a white album cover (with pictures and a roadmap) that mentions October 17, 2007, as the date of the show.
But last year, I came across this 'blue' version (that mentioned September 17, 2007).
Also out on Jimmy Carl's Inkanish Records label.


THE GRANDMOTHERS - THE EU GRANDMOTHERS FEATURING CANDY ZAPPA

  • The Grandmothers: The EU Grandmothers Featuring Candy Zappa
        (2002, cdr, Germany, inkanish records)
Jimmy Carl Black issued quite a number of CDR albums on his Inkanish Records label between 2000 and 2008.
I had never seen the above pictured one until I picked up a used copy at Zappanale last year.

Subtitled “Promo CD For The 2002 Tour”, this album was a compilation that presented material from The Grandmothers’ “Eating The Astoria” and Nigey Lennon’s “Reinventing The Wheel” albums.
 
The band called themselves The EU Grandmothers and featured Jimmy Carl Black and Sandro Oliva. At the same time, Don Preston, Bunk Gardner, Roy Estrada and Napoleon Murphy Brock presented themselves as the Grandmothers Re:Invented...

To make things even more confusing, the material that was taken from the "Eating At The Astoria" album and that is presented on this disc, featured Jimmy Carl, Sandro, Don & Bunk...

  1. Grandmothers Introduction
  2. Peaches En Regalia
  3. Call Any Vegetable
  4. Any Way The Wind Blows
  5. Lady Queen Be (J.C. Black)
  6. Messin' In The Kitchen (N. Lennon)
  7. Hungry Freaks, Daddy
  8. Big Leg Emma
  9. Yer Wife Don't Like Me (N. Lennon)
  10. Brown Shoes Don’t Make It
  11. Junk Food (S. Oliva) / Mr. Green Genes / Junk Food (reprise) (S. Oliva)
  12. Uncle Meat


MARK TURNER & ETHAN IVERSON

  • mark turner & ethan iverson: temporary kings
        (2018, cd, --, ecm)
Mark Turner (tenor sax) and Ethan Iverson (piano).
Eight original pieces plus Warne Marsh's 'Dixie's Dilemma'.

A beautiful musical journey.


EVIL DICK - STUDIES IN ACID

Evil Dick said:
This single is dedicated to all those evenings spent dancing to a type of music I didn't fully appreciate at the time: Acid House. This is not genuine 'acid', this is my memory of it. (P.S. I never took LSD or Ecstasy at the time, but I probably would today just to escape the tragedy that is GROWING OLD.)


JAMES BRANDON LEWIS - DIVINE TRAVELS

  • james brandon lewis: divine travels
        (2014, cd, usa, okeh)
Together with Gerald Cleaver (drums) and William Parker (bass), saxophone player James Brandon Lewis recorded his second album in 2011. It got released in 2014 on the Okeh record label.
I've got no clue as to why it took so long to get a record deal.
Especially since it's such a fine album.





 

Friday, June 23, 2023

LITTLE FEAT

Rhino records is releasing a deluxe version of Little Feat's "Dixie Chicken".

... a deluxe edition of the third studio album by the American rock band Little Feat, originally released in 1973. Considered one of their classics, it blends Southern rock, blues, country, and funk influences for a surreal concoction that could only be said to be the band's own. The deluxe edition here includes the original album remastered and recut from the original tapes, alongside previously unreleased studio outtakes and demos, and a complete unreleased live show from 1973.

Feat. Lowell George !


ARCHITECTS OF HYSTERIA - SOBRAS INFINITAS

  • the architects of hysteria: sobras infinitas
        (2023, download, --, bandcamp)
This brand-new album by the Architects Of Hysteria presents some older material that didn't get released on any of the previous albums, even including some different takes and demos.

That being said, this is a pretty good album.
I really enjoyed it.
You can tell that David Abad (the man behind this project) is a fan of Frank Zappa's music.
Check out 'The Boy Dildo From The Hell', of which David said that it was inspired by FZ's "Jazz From Hell".

Recommended listening ! (as are his previous albums).



ZAPPA - YOU CAN'T DO THAT ON STAGE ANYMORE SAMPLER

Somewhere in 2020, Frank Zappa's "You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore - Sampler" album got re-released on transparent yellow and red vinyl.
As a record store day release.

Limited to 5000 copies, so you can still come across  copies everywhere (as I recently did).
(picture from discogs)


THE GYPSYS

The Gypsys are / were a German cover band / party band.
They released several albums performing pop hits.
Two of their albums included a Frank Zappa cover version.


the 1995 "Stay A Live" album included 'Bobby Brown'.


And their 1994 "Dancing Fools" album should need no additional info on what Zappa tune they covered.

Another release included 'Ride Like The Wind' (Christopher Cross), although I admit that the Zappa-link is a bit farfetched...


KOEN DE BRUYNE - HERE COMES THE CRAZY MAN !

It has been a couple of years already since I saw Bram Weijters' Crazy Men in concert.
Performing a tribute to Koen De Bruyne.
It was around the time that Koen De Bruyne's "Here Comes The Crazy Man" got re-issued. 2015 ?

Paying tribute to Belgian jazz / fusion from 1974 !!

Re-visiting the album while I'm typing this.


Here's Bram Weijter's Crazy Men on Dutch national tv:


ZAPPOSTROPHE 149

The Czech Frank Zappa Fan Club just announced issue number 149 of the fanzine !


MADVILLAIN RE-ISSUE

The “Madvillainy” collaboration between MF Doom (MC) and Madlib (beats) got released in 2004.
The 'Meat Grinder' track, from the “Madvillainy” album, started with a repeating 'Sleeping In A Jar' (FZ) sample.
Celebrating 20 years of HHV (the record store), the album got re-released in a limited edition of 4000 copies on colored vinyl (brown/black swirl and brown/blue swirl) in a gatefold sleeve.


  • Madvillain: Madvillainy
        (2023, 2lp, USA, stones throw records)


SNARKY PUPPY - CONEY BEAR

Every week, Snarky Puppy is uploading a video of one of the tracks from their latest album, "Empire Central".
This week, it's 'Coney Bear' !


SUN RA & HIS INTERGALACTIC ARKESTRA - SPACE IS THE PLACE (MUSIC FROM THE ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK)

  • sun ra & his intergalactic arkestra: space is the place (music from the original soundtrack)
        (2023, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)
Released as a 3 LP box set that includes a blu-ray & a dvd, but also as a 2 CD set plus a blu-ray and DVD, the "Space Is The Place" movie is getting a deluxe re-issue.
Out on Modern Harmonic.

Featuring an album’s worth of previously unissued recordings from the same soundtrack sessions!

For those who are happy with just the newly made available music, there's the Bandcamp download.


ROCK PHOTOGRAPHER GIE KNAEPS

Photographer Gie Knaeps has just released a book, "40 Jaar Rockfotography" (40 years of rock photography).
I wonder if it will include any pictures of the Zappa concerts that he shot.

Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, 1970.
By Gie Knaeps


Thursday, June 22, 2023

GOV'T MULE - PEACE... LIKE A RIVER

  • gov't mule: peace... like a river
        (2023, cd, usa, fantasy recordings)
The latest Mule album is out.
Bluesy, and with a lot of guests. I listened to it in my car driving to Brussels, the other day, which might not have been the best option as the trip was one big traffic jam.
It needs another session...

The 'deluxe version' comes with a bonus CD EP entitled "Time Of The Signs". (Haven't listened to it yet.)



JOHN ZORN - ILL LASWELL - STERLING RUBY

John Zorn and Bill Laswell: TURBINES | Sessions | Gagosian Premieres

As part of Sessions, a spin-off of Gagosian Premieres, composer and saxophonist John Zorn and bass guitarist and producer Bill Laswell perform an improvised work in Sterling Ruby’s exhibition “TURBINES,” at Gagosian, 522 West 21st Street, New York.

-- info: Harald Häring

NEW BOOK ON FRANK ZAPPA

620 pages -> correction : 800 pages
in French
by John Raby

Love the artwork by the way.

A NEW PIECE BY EIDON

'Itkkutäkki'
by Eidon


 

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

LET'S ZAPPALIN' - ONE SIZE TO SAVE A DROWNING WITCH

  • Let’s Zappalin’: One Size To Save A Drowning Witch
        (2023, download, --, itunes)

Brazil-based band Let’s Zappalin’ released another Frank Zappa tribute album. It features Rainer T. Pappon on guitar, Rafael Senatore on bass and vocals, Tina Pappon on lead vocals, Gabriel Rego on drums, and Jimmy Pappon on keyboard and vocals.

This is a must-have release for every Zappa fan.
A tight band, great vocals by Tina Pappon, and 'goosebumps' guitar stuff by Rainer Tankred Pappon.
I love it.

“One Size To Save A Drowning Witch” got released for download and streaming through different digital music platforms.

https://music.apple.com/us/album/one-size-to-save-a-drowning-witch/1690413449

  1. Inca Roads
  2. Valley Girl (Frank Zappa, Moon Zappa)
  3. Florentine Pogen
  4. Drowning Witch
  5. San Ber’dino
  6. Envelopes
  7. Andy
  8. Teen-age Prostitute



Friday, June 16, 2023

THE ED PALERMO BIG BAND

'Dazed & Confused' (Jimmy Page), performed by The Ed Palermo Big Band 


STEEL PANTHER FEAT. DWEEZIL ZAPPA

Dweezil Zappa is featured on one track on the latest Steel Panther album, "On The Prowl".

The track is entitled 'Is My Dick Enough'.

 


JAN AKKERMAN AT ZAPPANALE

The Jan Akkerman website mentions that he will be performing at Zappanale !!

https://www.janakkerman.com/

-- info: Angel on Facebook


Thursday, June 15, 2023

NEW ALBUM BY DEL CASHER

Del Casher, with whom Frank Zappa worked very early in his career, has released another album on Bandcamp.

And while you're over at Del Casher's Bandcamp page, check out the "Space Boy" release.


FIRST SINGLE FROM BERT DOCKX' NEW ALBUM

Dog is the first single taken from Bert Dockx’ new solo record Ghosts. Dog is a song about gods and dogs, about a man searching for his place in a troubled world, calling out to kindred souls. With its commanding vocals, quirky groove and colourful arrangement, it's the perfect opening to a rich, rewarding album.


NAPOLEON MURPHY BROCK MASTER CLASS IN ITALY

A message from Inventionis Mater

Dear friends,

hoping to do you a favour, we would like to inform you about the masterclass on voice maintenance and singing held by Napoleon Murphy Brock, legendary singer and saxophonist of Frank Zappa's band. The masterclass will be held from 17 to 19 July 2023 in San Leo (RN), Italy.

From daily exercises, to nutrition, to body management, a complete overview from the experience of one of the finest voices of the 70s (and today).

Napoleon Murphy Brock began his career in the South Bay Area of San Francisco in the late 1960s as a singer, songwriter and arranger in the "Communication Plus". In the early 1970s came the meeting with Frank Zappa in Hawaii and the beginning of the collaboration. Napoleon Murphy Brock appears on nineteen Zappa albums and three George Duke albums.

At the 51st Grammy Awards, on February 8, 2009, Napoleon won a Grammy for his performance of the song "Peaches en Regalia" with the group Zappa Plays Zappa, which also included Steve Vai.
Supporting the great singer will be Andrea Pennati, a guitarist who has been active for more than ten years in transcribing and promoting Zappa's music, with concerts to his credit in half the world, for years in collaboration with Napoleon in numerous concerts and recordings.

Registration fee: 50 euros
Course fee: 90 euros


Informations about the masterclass
LEGAMIDARTE – APS
+39 333 7480487 (Mon. and Sat. 9-12, Wed. and Fry. 15-19 (Italian hours))
legamidarte@gmail.com or masterclass@gmail.com
www.legamidarte.it


 

SNARKY PUPPY - MEAN GREEN

 From Snarky Puppy's latest album:
'Mean Green'

..., we're excited to be releasing the remaining videos from the Empire Central recording sessions each Friday on the GroundUP Music YouTube channel! We're kicking things off with "Mean Green," written by percussionist Nate Werth, as an ode to the mascot of University of North Texas, where Snarky Puppy began their journey.


2MANYDJS

2ManyDJs produced a mixtape of 420 intros in 60 minutes, produced for BBC Radio 1.

The recording was made available through streaming channels and included FZ’s ‘Willie The Pimp’ at 19:13.

And Captain Beefheart's 'Clear Spot' at around 35:13.

Fun to listen to.

-- info: Kjell Knudde

 

J. M. SMIG - UNDERARM OUVERTURE

Check out J. M. Smig's latest piece: 'Underarm Overture' :

 

FRANK ZAPPA - FUNKY NOTHINGNESS SERIES (EPISODE 2)

Frank Zappa - Funky Nothingness Series (Episode 2: Ian Underwood Spotlight)

The latest episode of the Funky Nothingness series spotlights The Mothers member and Frank Zappa's "instant computer" Ian Underwood. Joe Travers says "anything that Frank could write, Ian could play." Special thank you to Ian Underwood for taking the time to chat with Vaultmeister Joe Travers.



EIDON - ZENOCHRONY

Another fine musical experiment by Eidon : 

Here I have overlapped (1) an excerpt from an original generative composition of mine with (2) a fragment from Frank Zappa's "Dwarf Nebula Processional March & Dwarf Nebula" and with (3) the same fragment, in reverse. The xenochrony concludes after 31s, followed by the full composition mentioned in (1).



Wednesday, June 14, 2023

BRUCE CAMERON TRIBUTE ALBUM

In 1999, the late Bruce Cameron released "Midnight Daydream", an album that featured Bunk Gardner and Ant-Bee.
In tribute, Bruce's son started a band called after his father's album.


Glass Onyon PR adds:
Rock Group “Midnight Daydream” Release Tribute To Late Guitarist Bruce Cameron

The writer, producer, engineer and main performer on the album is Riley Cameron, the son of the late guitarist Bruce Cameron, who tragically passed away in 1999 shortly after releasing his debut LP titled “Midnight Daydream”. An album that featured a plethora of rock legends. Inspired by his father’s work, the only viable option was to carry the musical legacy that his father left behind.

The self-titled album features a blend of hard rock, electronic, hip-hop and various other musical styles that create a modern sound that captures a spectrum of influences.

Says Riley, “Midnight Daydream - Fusing multiple genres, bringing awareness to mental health while maintaining a consistent sound”

The “Midnight Daydream” LP is set to release on July 5th, 2023 and will be available on all mainstream platforms, including Itunes, Spotify and Youtube. Physical Copies and merchandise will also be available through their merchandise store via BandCamp.


Tuesday, June 13, 2023

KLEPTOMANIA ZAPPA TRIBUTE

KLEPTOMANIA
  • 29/11 in Antwerp at Rataplan
  • 30/11 in Leuven, at 30CC
  • 1/12 in Charleroi, at PBA
  • 2 or 3/12 in Brussels at the Zappa tribute festival
An exciting blend of rock, jazz and classical with Dave Douglas, Pierre Vervloesem, Bruno Vansina, Samuel Ber and Ensemble Styx.

Rock icon Frank Zappa liked to colour outside the lines. Among others, he collaborated with classical musicians such as Germany's Ensemble Modern for the brilliant production "The Yellow Shark" in 1993, exactly 30 years ago.

Respecting Zappa's oeuvre, ensemble Styx lays hands on arrangements of some immortal classics by this musical genius. Classical Ensemble Styx plays in Quintet formation with four jazz musicians. Inspired by Frank Zappa, guitarist Pierre Vervloesem, saxophonist Bruno Vansina and jazz drummer Samuel Ber each write a new composition. As top of the bill, American jazz trumpeter Dave Douglas composed a brand new work especially for this production and will join the stage as "leader of the band".
----------------------------------
Een opwindende kruisbestuiving tussen rock, jazz en klassiek met Dave Douglas, Pierre Vervloesem, Bruno Vansina, Samuel Ber en Ensemble Styx.

Rockicoon Frank Zappa kleurde graag buiten de lijntjes. Hij werkte o.a. samen met klassieke muzikanten zoals het Ensemble Modern uit Duitsland voor de schitterende productie “The Yellow Shark” in 1993, precies 30 jaar geleden.

Met respect voor het oeuvre van Zappa, legt het ensemble Styx de hand op arrangementen van een aantal onsterfelijke klassiekers van dit muzikale genie. Het klassiek Ensemble Styx speelt in Kwintetformatie met vier jazzmusici. Geïnspireerd door Frank Zappa schrijven Gitarist Pierre Vervloesem, saxofonist Bruno Vansina en jazzdrummer Samuel Ber elk een nieuwe compositie. Als top of the bill componeerde de Amerikaanse jazztrompettist Dave Douglas speciaal voor deze productie een gloednieuw werk en staat hij als “leader of the band” mee op het podium.


THE FRANK ZAPPA CD-BOOTLEG COMPENDIUM

"The Frank Zappa CD-Bootleg Compendium" is a series of three books, assembled by Burkhard Schempp and Robert Gsteu.

It total, it will count 980 pages with info on all known Frank Zappa bootleg CDs.

Three books, in a special deluxe edition (limited to 50 numbered copies) will be released in July.
Later this year, a standard version will be released.

The deluxe edition: 
  • Three books: each Din A4 / hardcover / special 135g picture print paper

    • Book #1: A – L (400 pages)
    • Book #2: M – Z (388 pages)
    • Book #3: Liner Notes / Label Index / Show Index (192 pages)

MARK TURNER - RETURN FROM THE STARS

  • mark turner: return from the stars
        (2022, cd, --, ecm)
The title from Mark Turner's "Return From The Stars" album was taken from a science fiction novel.
And to be honest, with a title like that, expectations are high.

The recording features Mark Turner (tenor sax), Jason Palmer (trumpet), Joe Martin (bass), and Jonathan Pinson (drums).
On this occasion, the 'stars' do not refer to the free jazz or psychedelic approach that has been thoroughly investigated by various musicians, but rather to the 'no boundaries in improvisation' and 'lots of room and space in the compositions'. At least, that's what my ears suggest.

March 30, 2024, the Mark Turner Quartet will be performing at De Bijloke in Ghent, BE.
Just in case that you would be in the neighborhood.

Beautiful.

Not that far away in the future :
Slovenia, Portugal, Germany and France


Last year's Bimhuis gig :



ALAN JENKINS AND THE KETTERING VAMPIRES HAVE JUST RELEASED "BE MY ENEMY £1"

Cordelia Records just released "Be My Enemy £1" by Alan Jenkins and The Kettering Vampires.







HENRY THREADGILL - THE OTHER ONE

  • henry threadgill ensemble: the other one
        (2023, cd, --, pi recordings)
"The Other One", the latest from Henry Threadgill, is the musical component of a large multimedia work performed and recorded live at Roulette Intermedium in Brooklyn, New York in 2022. The recording is comprised of a three-movement composition entitled “Of Valence,” which was inspired by the percussionist and theorist Milford Graves, in particular, his integration of the human heartbeat into his musical works, and is performed by a 12-piece ensemble.

One might call this contemporary jazz, or even contemporary classical music but the fact is that "The Other One" will give you an adventurous and challenging listening session.


Monday, June 12, 2023

STEVE MCALLISTER'S "I HOPE YOU ARE OKAY" ALBUM FEATURES MIKE KENEALLY

From GlassOnyon PR

Composer Steve McAllister To Release New Album “I hope you are okay.” 

Composer Steve McAllister is releasing his new album “I hope you are okay.” featuring members of XTC, Zappa, Leonard Cohen and Robert Plant on July 1, 2023. Ten songs, recorded primarily during COVID with everyone working from home, featuring amazing, stellar players.

Says Steve, “It was a fun process: I’d write a song and form, send it to the drummer. It’d come back to me, I’d make a few additions then send it to Mike or Dave. Back it’d come, more tweaks, then on to the next person. Finally, off to the mixer. Then we’d go ‘round with the next one. Despite it being recorded in California, Arizona, Arkansas, Massachusetts, Texas, and England, it sounds like a band in a room.”

Featuring:

  • Rafael Bernardo Gayol (Leonard Cohen, A-ha, Robbie Robertson) - Drums
  • Mike Keneally (Frank Zappa, Steve Vai) - Guitars
  • Dave Gregory (XTC, Peter Gabriel) - Guitars
  • Dana Colley (Morphine) - Saxes
  • Dony Wynn (Robert Palmer, Robert Plant) - Additional Drums
“Wonderfully intelligent melodicism is Steve McAllister’s stock in trade. The world will always need songwriting as good as Steve’s, and his unerring instincts for finding the right players to embellish his instantly catchy, sardonically witty tunes makes his music an utter pleasure.” – Mike Keneally

Says Steve, “I’ve been a musician my whole life. I’ve composed film scores, written jingles, dabbled with game music, performed with an orchestra, toured in a van, and composed a few hundred works for an enormous variety of clients.”

In-between drawing maps of places that don’t exist and trying to learn Portuguese, Steve McAllister has had a bizarre and entirely unique relationship with songwriting. He wrote the conference music for the World Economic Forum for some years. Those globalist’s ears were feasting on his music and didn’t even know it. At least two members of the RnR HOF have played on his records, and at least one sitting President has listened (in addition to a Texas Governor). Music for commercials and film work. A ballet.

Slipping through the cracks were day-jobs, tangents, asides, and about 15 albums worth of songs, as either leader or co-leader. Plus assorted singles, EPs, and such. Slippery things, songs. Along the way he’s hidden behind a variety of alibis, aliases, band names, pseudonyms, and nom de plumes. So many, it’s hard to keep track.

This is his first album under his own name.

https://stevemcallister.bandcamp.com/album/i-hope-you-are-okay

Also Apple Music, Spotify, etc.


PHI YAAN-ZEK - INTERDIMENSIONAL GARDEN PARTY

  • phi yaan-zek: interdimensional garden party
        (2022, cd, uk, geomagnetic records)
Let me start by saying that Phi Yaan-Zek's "Interdimensional Garden Party" is a top album. I had enjoyed the digital download, the amazing compositions, the outstanding technical performances, the interconnectedness of the different pieces,...
And then the physical copy of the album arrived, adding that extra level of intensity from enjoying the artwork, browsing through the booklet and figuring out the musicians on the different tracks while listening to the album again (and again).
We're Only In It For The Music, and Music Is The Best !!

"Interdimensional Garden Party" is a top album.
Wait. Let me rephrase: "Interdimensional Garden Party" is a TOP ALBUM;

With notable guest appearances for Lalle Larsson, Morgan Agren, Bryan Beller, Marco Minnemann and (the amazing) Mike Keneally.

Highly recommended !!