PROGOSAURUS

From the upcoming Progosaurus album

 

PAULINE ROBERTS - THE BLACK PAGE

'The Black Page' (F.Zappa), performed by Pauline Roberts,
percussionist for The Furious Bongos

 

ZAPPA - APOSTROPHE (')

Last year, the Spanish Elemental Music record label re-released Zappa's "Hot Rats" as well as "Apostrophe (')". Both on 180 g vinyl, in a limited edition.
By coincidence, I came across this "Apostrophe (')" re-issue last month.
I gave it another spin today.
What an amazing album.

THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION

It's not easy keeping track of the vinyl re-issues that have been appearing on the Zappa Records label.
Here's two that I recently added to the record collection.
Funny, as these were the two albums that introduced me to Frank Zappa's music around 1980...

Burnt Weeny Sandwich, from 2018. ("Release number 9")
Also released on silver marble vinyl by Newbury Comics (ltd to 500 copies). I didn't even know this existed until earlier today...

Weasels Ripped My Flesh, from 2016. ("Release number 10")

MORE RUSS STEDMAN

Russ Stedman included a piece called ‘Jimmy Carl Black’ on his “What The What?” album (from 1988).

The track sampled Jimmy Carl Black saying ‘I’m Jimmy Carl Black, I’m The Indian Of The Group’ while Russ performed ‘Peaches En Regalia’.

Weird stuff.
Nice.

 

FRANK ZAPPA - FRANK ZAPPA FOR PRESIDENT

Borrowing the picture from the internet as I'm going for the lazy option, but "Zappa For President" arrived and it looks great.
A 2LP set with three sides of music and FZ pictured on the vinyl on side four.
Not exactly as one might assume from the below shot, but close enough.
And it does come with a giant 7 dollar bill.

I know, I know,...
It's 'only' a vinyl re-issue of the (compilation mixed with Synclavier stuff) CD from a number of years ago, but it does look great.

Side four

MOON LETTERS - THANK YOU FOR THE FUTURE

• moon letters: thank you from the future
      (2022, cd, USA, private release)

Seattle-based Moon Letters released their first album, "Until They Feel The Sun" in 2019.
"Thank You From The Future" followed in 2022.

Progressive, psychedelic rock, transposed to our time from the 1970s, although the first track also shows that they are not afraid to mix different styles and ideas in one composition.

Recommended listening !
And be sure to check out the first track, 'Sudden Sun'.

RUSS STEDMAN

The one and only Russ Stedman has been putting some of his old recordings on Bandcamp.

"Uniform ZooLoo" includes 'Uncle Frank', a track that kicks off with a snippet of Russ talking to FZ and then fades into a Frank Zappa-inspired guitar solo.
Originally released in 1988.

TONY TROMBO - TALKING ZAPPA

• tony trombo: talking zappa
      (2024, book, USA, self published)

Podcaster Tony Trombo has put some of his podcasts on paper.
I guess I've seen some of Tony's podcasts but it's great to see these interviews put to paper.
The book arrived last week, and I've browsed through it a couple of times already. I'll be happy to give it some proper reading somewhere next week.

Here's one of the podcasts:

https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/talkingzappaarthurbarrow/episodes/2014-02-06T13_49_06-08_00

TURNER / TROTIGNON - DUSK IS A QUIET PLACE

• turner / trotignon: dusk is a quiet place
      (2014, cd, france, naive records)

Mark Turner on sax and Baptiste Trotignon on piano.
Seven original pieces, plus two compositions by J.S.Bach.
Serene and reduced to the minimum.

Very enjoyable.

KOREKYOJINN - MESOPOTAMIA

• korekyojinn: mesopotamia
      (2021, cd, japan, magaibutsu)

I have two albums by the Japanese Korekyojinn band: the eponymous album (from 1999, CD, released on the tzadik record label), and their "Swan Dive" album (a CD/DVD package from 2009, on the Magaibutsu label).
So I was quite happy to receive a digital copy of "Mesopotamia" the other day.
As discogs puts it, this is polyrhythmic prog jazz rock.
Featuring Yoshida Tatsuya (Ruins), Kido Natsuki (Bondage Fruit) and bassist Nasuno Mitsuru (Altered States).

I've added the title to my want list...
Here's why:

LAUGHING BASTARDS

Belgian jazz ensemble Laughing Bastards will be touring to present their new album.
I'm looking forward to that.

Their new album is called "Fetish", and is vinyl only.
Well, download/streaming on Bandcamp, and out on vinyl. Not on CD.

BRIAN TARQUIN & JEAN-LUC PONTY - BEYOND THE WARRIOR'S EYES

Brian Tarquin & Jean-Luc Ponty.
Title track from Brian Tarquin's latest release.
The A.I. video doesn't convince me, but I do like the track.

GOWY - REBIRTH

Gowy's new album is called "Rebirth".
It will be made available on CD and on LP.

Gowy started a funding campaign to support this new album.
Backers received the digital tracks earlier this week and this backer is very happy with these.

11 tracks. All original compositions.
Food for guitar freaks that are into Frank Zappa, Joe Satriani and Steve Vai.
Mostly instrumental and quite diverse.

The album opens with a dialogue that sounds like a scene from "Les Ch'tis", a weird movie about the people in the north of France, and jumps into some sort of heavy rock song called 'L'apocalimssss (wdywa)'. But there are also lyrical instrumentals, oriental flavours, experimental fragments, a doo-wop song, and even a (short) classical piece.
"Rebirth" is technically stunning but it will also put a smile on your face, and that's what it's all about.

https://gowy.fr/produit/pre-order-new-album/

From three years ago:

'Sad Bamba', from a previous album (Atoms)

PROGOSAURUS' DEBUT ALBUM AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER

Progosaurus will be releasing its first album soon.
You can already check it out and pre-order it over at Bandcamp. 

• Lee: Guitar (except on tracks 4, 9 & 13: Bass)
• Lukas Kollroß: Guitar
• Chato Segerer: Bass (except on tracks 4, 9 & 13: Guitar)
• Moritz Luzner: Drums

Most tracks written by Lee.

Chato Segerer adds:
This is not my own band, but a new band project where everybody can bring in songs in a progressive style. Mostly I'm playing bass, except on my own songs and Lukas' songs as well.

VANSINA, VERBRUGGEN & VERVLOESEM - SORRY LOUISE COULDN'T COME

• vansina / verbruggen / vervloesem: sorry louise couldn't come
      (2024, download, --, bandcamp)

In the words of Pierre Vervloesem:
I was asked to replace a very ill Louise, bassist of Bruno Vansina trio, a few hours before the gig. Being incapable of playing the slightest jazz note we therefore improvised THIS in front of a gigantic audience who did not see the difference with the usual program.

That would be Louise van den Heuvel, and I do hope she's feeling better in the meantime.
I hope to see her soon with Stéphane Galland.

Anyway, I have no clue what the trio would have sounded like with Louise at the bass, but I don't mind the Bruno Vansina, Teun Verbruggen & Pierre Vervloesem combination.
Improvised music with three distinct and clearly recognisable voices.
Bruno takes the lead with his saxophone and other assorted noises, while both Teun and Pierre both follow and drive the pieces.

This is fun.

Recommended listening.

JOHN ZORN - THE HERMETIC ORGAN VOL.12 - THE BOSCH REQUIM

• john zorn: the hermetic organ vol.12 - The Bosch Requim
      (2024, cd, USA, tzadic)

Improvised organ music by John Zorn.
Volume 12 already, but this is my first encounter with "The Hermetic Organ" series.

Loud & dramatic.
Recorded in Den Bosch in The Netherlands in 2023.
Also out on vinyl.

Recorded at the Grote Kerk in Den Bosch as part of Zorn's 70th birthday celebration at November Music in Den Bosch, this exciting performance pays tribute to one of Zorn's seminal influences--the 15th century painter Hieronymus Bosch.

Performing on two different organs simultaneously, running from one to the other, this is one of the most bizarre installments in the entire Hermetic Organ series. The CD begins with a rare private performance of Zorn alone in the church exploring and stretching the organ's capabilities. For the evening performance, A Pilgrimage Through Hell, Zorn's dear friend and colleague of over thirty years John Medeski joins as his organ assistant, and the two of them literally pull out all the stops!

STEPHANE GALLAND & THE RHYTHM HUNTERS

Stéphane Galland & The Rhythm Hunters will celebrate their debut album with some Belgian concerts.

• 02-05 – Brussel, BOZAR
• 12-05 – Gent, De Bijloke
• 25-05 – Ronse, CC De Ververij

PANZERBALLET & MATTIAS IA EKLUNDH

From 2014

 

PROGOSAURUS

Progosaurus is a progressive rock / joint band project that features Chato Segerer on guitar.
A first album is in the making and should also become available (in a limited edition) on CD.

NEW ALBUM ANNOUNCED BY VALENTINA SCHELDHOFEN CIARDELLI

May 8, 2024, Valentina Scheldhofen Ciardelli, Anaïs Drago, and Riccardo Angelo Strano will doing a concert entitled “Shake Your Duty” at the Casa Del Jazz in Rome, Italy, where they will be presenting their debut album.

• Valentina Scheldhofen Ciardelli – double bass, choirs, compositions and arrangements
• Anaïs Drago – violin, choirs, compositions and arrangements
• Riccardo Angelo Strano – countertenor

The repertoire proposed by the Ciardelli-Drago-Strano trio is a tribute to the art of Frank Zappa, who made irreverence his stylistic signature, but also includes pieces from the baroque and classical era and original pieces composed by Ciardelli and Drago.

The trio mocks the trappings of the academic world and those who still protect the bastion of "serious music", instead offering a different point of view, in which different techniques, styles and harmonies can coexist and enrich each other.

The listeners who are most passionate about progressive rock and contemporary classical music will not be disappointed, as will the great lovers of classical music more accustomed to the rounded sounds of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart or Alessandro Scarlatti.

The concert is the presentation event of the trio's debut album, "Shake your Duty", out in May on the Parco della Musica Records label

A DWEEZIL ZAPPA TOUR UPDATE

Roxpostrophy Countdown

Hello Everyone!

Did you know that the Roxpostrophy tour starts in 98 days? Tickets are still available.

https://www.dweezilzappa.com/pages/tour 

I've already started rehearsing with the band and we've been filming every step of the way. If you'd like to see some FREE behind-the-scenes footage you can binge-watch right here on the home page: Countdown To Roxpostrophy

https://www.dweezilzappa.com/posts/1990549-countdown-to-roxpostrophy 

Stay tuned to dweezilzappa.com for even deeper behind-the-scenes footage! We're filming a whole season of "reality show style docu-series" episodes that will be rent-able right here next month!

I decided to make the "reality show" because I wanted to be sure to include all of the international fans in some way with this tour. If we can't come play for you, you can come to us via the show!

The plan is to have a whole series that leads up to the first show and by X-mas this year release an entire filmed concert from the tour! (Possibly even a blue-ray disc with ATMOS mixes!)

For anyone who wants to support the tour directly, this upcoming series will be a great way to stay caught up and witness great performances along with unique stories.
Best, DZ

STEPHANE GALLAND & THE RHYTHM HUNTERS - - - NEW ALBUM OUT

Stéphane Galland & The Rhythm Hunters' album is out.
On CD and on LP.
On the Challenge Records label.

A teaser:

KRONOS QUARTET TO RELEASE A SUN RA TRIBUTE ALBUM

The Red Hot Org record label is releasing "Outer Spaceways Incorporated : Kronos Quartet & Friends Meet Sun Ra"

The fourth (?) album in a series that pays tribute to Sun Ra.

2 LP release & digital download

SEAORM - NEKYIA

“If there is an album that could be close to the fusion of the space-prog legends Vespero and the cult avant-rock group October Equus, it is this new album by Seaorm called Nekyia. The pair of composer brothers Ángel Ontalva and Víctor Rodríguez on guitar and keyboards respectively, and the prodigious rhythm section of Vespero, the also brothers Arkady and Ivan Fedotov, have created a cosmic work with this album, they have descended to the underworld and emerged epically through a thousand alchemical spells. It is a formidable work for those eager to explore new musical paths.”

ERIKA STUCKY

Jazz singer Erika Stucky's "Stucky Live" album got released on CD in 2011.
It included her version of FZ's 'I'm The Slime'.

The album has also been made available through Bandcamp.

-- info: Jan van Kemenade

JOHN SURMAN, JACK DEJOHNETTE & LONDON BRASS - FREE AND EQUAL

• john surman, jack dejohnette & london brass: free & equal
      (2003, cd, --, ecm)

Music for brass choir and improvising reeds and drums. Classical ensemble London Brass joins the Surman/DeJohnette duo in a live recording from London’s South Bank.

And this is a pretty amazing album.
9 tracks. 
I love the brass sounds and how it delivers the perfect setting (and contrast) for John Surman and Jack DeJohnette.
Recorded in 2002 and released in 2003.

Beautiful.

Here's a sample :

STEPHANE GALLAND IN CONCERT

Next Thursday, Stéphane Galland will perform with two of his projects at the BOZAR in Brussels.

Stéphane Galland and The Rhythm Hunters will open the evening, followed by a concert by The Gallands.

This should be fun !!

https://www.bozar.be/nl/kalender/stephane-galland-carte-blanche-rhythm-hunters-gallands

20:00 - 21:00 h
Stéphane Galland & The Rhythm Hunters

• Shoko Igarashi - tenor sax
• Sylvain Debaisieux: alto sax
• Pierre-Antoine Savoyat: trumpet
• Wajdi Riahi: piano
• Louise van den Heuvel: electric bass
• Stéphane Galland: drums

21:30 - 22:30 h
The Gallands

• Stéphane Galland: drums
• Elvin Galland: keyboards
• Louise van den Heuvel: electric bass

NEW SOFT MACHINE ALBUM AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER

The Cuneiform record label is making the new Soft Machine album available for pre-order.

"H​ø​vikodden 1971" will be released both as a 4 CD and as a 4 LP set, and as a digital download.
As the album title explains, it will present a 1971 concert recording.

While the two sets from the second night (February 28, 1971) have been released before, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THE ENTIRE TWO-NIGHT STAND HAS BEEN RELEASED. So half of this is previously completely unreleased.

This is a excellent, stereo recording of the band performing in a relatively small hall; the balances between the instruments are not perfectly balanced, but there is no other recording by Soft Machine that I know of that sounds as much like the band are performing *right* in front of you!

Additionally, we were able to improve in a modest but definitely noticeable way the not-perfect balance between the instruments on this edition.

EIDON - EXPERIMENT0

Eidon.
'Experiment0'

 

VARIOUS ARTISTS - REIMAGINING THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING

'Moonchild' with Chester Thompson had already been released as a teaser but since last week, the entire album is available !

"Reimagining The Court Of The Crimson King"

Out on LP, CD and as a digital download.

1. 21st Century Schizoid Man
    feat. Todd Rundgren, Arthur Brown, Mel Collins, Chris Poland & Ian Paice
2. I Talk To The Wind
    feat. Mel Collins, Django Jakszyk & Jakko M Jakszyk
3. Epitaph
    feat. Alan Davey, Paul Rudolph, Nik Turner, Adam Hamilton & Danny Faulkner
4. Moonchild
    feat. Joe Lynn Turner, Marty Friedman, Jah Wobble & Chester Thompson
5. The Court Of The Crimson King
    feat. James LaBrie, Carmine Appice & Steve Hillage
6. 21st Century Schizoid Man (Alternate Version)
    feat. Arthur Brown, Brian Auger, Chris Poland & Ian Paice
7. 21st Century Schizoid Man (Instrumental)
    feat. Mel Collins, Chris Poland & Ian Paice

MARCUS MILLER & THE METROPOLE ORKEST

From 2013

 

ANOTHER SUN RA RSD RELEASE

2 lp set, released by Strut Records:

"Inside The Light World: Sun Ra Meets The OVC"

STRUT288LP

DARIO AND THE CLEAR

From GlassOnyon PR

Prog Ensemble Dario and the Clear Release Third Album “Banquet of Noise” Featuring King Crimson’s Trey Gunn

Multi-instrumentalist Dario and his prog ensemble, Dario and the Clear, have released “Banquet of Noise,” the third album in his pop, rock, progressive trilogy reflecting the world’s journey politically and socially over the last several years. The album marks the return of impressive collaborations with Trey Gunn (King Crimson), Eric Person (Ben Harper), Sue Leonard (back-up vocalist for k.d. lange), and experimental guitar player, Gabriel Marin, all of whom are ideal matches instrumentally for Dario’s diverse and expressive sound palette.

MADLIB

Madlib released "Rock Konducta Part 1" in 2013.
At least two tracks included Zappa samples.

I only learned yesterday that "Rock Konducta Part 1" got a re-release on clear vinyl on the U.S. 2023 Record Store Day.

Tempting...

RE-ISSUE OF ALTERNATIVE TV'S "THE IMAGE HAS CRACKED" ON RED VINYL

Alternative TV released their version of FZ's 'Why Dontcha Do Me Right" on their "The Image Has Cracked" album in 1978.
The album has been re-issued on red vinyl by Radiation Records.

https://shop.radiationrecords.net/products/alternative-tv-the-image-has-cracked-lp-album-color-re-new

THE CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN - THE CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN

• the crazy world of arthur brown: the crazy world of arthur brown
      (1968, lp, usa, atlantic)

I recently received a digital copy of Arthur 'The God Of Hellfire' Brown's first album, "The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown. 
A superb album and a fine collaboration between showman and singer Arthur Brown with organ player Vincent Crane.

Several CD re-issues came with additional tracks, but these original 10 tracks are a great example of an album that was ahead of its time.

It's hard to imagine that in later years, when his musical career wasn't what it used to be, Arthur Brown started a painter company with none other than Jimmy Carl Black...

 

NEW SUN RA ALBUM SPOTTED

"At The Showcase / Live In Chicago", a new 2LP Sun Ra release on the Jazz Detective label.

SNARKY PUPPY UPDATE

from the Snarky Puppy newsletter:

The Alternate Take of Snarky Puppy’s song “The Curtain” is out now, along with the full live video on YouTube!

The single is taken from the re-release of their 2015 album, Sylva, coming next month, both digitally and with a new 12” vinyl! The re-release will include the 6 original tracks, remixed and remastered, along with alternate takes of “The Curtain” and “The Clearing.” This re-release comes upon the reclamation by GroundUP Music of the original masters and is a celebration of independent music!

https://store.snarkypuppy.com/collections/featured-swag/products/sylva-remixed-remastered-vinyl

https://store.snarkypuppy.com/collections/featured-vinyl/products/sylva-remixed-remastered-cd-dvd

And let us (not) mention the Record Store Day release that was only made available in the U.S. (??).

NEW ZAPPA RELEASE

There will probably be a Japanese edition as well, but for the moment, it looks like the new Zappa album will be available as a 3 CD set, as a 5 LP set, and as a (compiled) 2 LP set.
And as a digital download as well, probably.

-

-

HUUN-HUUR-TU

Record store day release: a collaboration between Huun-Huur-Tu, Carmen Rizzo, and Dhani Harrison.
"Dreamers In The Field".
Thanks to Jan's info, I was able to find a digital copy of this album online.

Dreamy, ambient, with Huun-Huur-Tu's throat singing on the foreground.
An impressive release.

-- info: Jan van Kemenade

RALPHE ARMSTRONG INTERVIEW

In this video, Ralphe does not talk about playing in Zappa's band, but the man sure has some fine stories to tell...

NORMA JEAN BELL

Before Norma Jean Bell joined Frank Zappa's band towards the end of 1975, she had already toured with the Mahavishnu Orchestra earlier the same year.

• John McLaughlin – guitars, vocals
• Ralphe Armstrong – bass guitar, vocals, contrabass
• Narada Michael Walden – percussion, drums, vocals, clavinet
• Stu Goldberg – keyboards, vocals
• Carol Shive – 2nd violin, vocals
• Russell Tubbs – alto and soprano sax
• Norma Jean Bell - sax
• Philip Hirschi – cello
• Steve Kindler – 1st violin

I don't know if Norma Jean Bell actually recorded with Mahavishnu, if she can be heard on any of the band's albums, but there are a couple of Mahavishnu concert recordings from March 1975 circulating (two or three of which are on DimeADozen).
Not the best quality, but fun to listen to. And the April 26, 1975 one seems to be in the best quality.
And, yes, that's Ralphe Armstrong on bass, who also did a couple of concerts with Frank Zappa.

McLaughlin & Norma Jean Bell

-- info & picture: Jan van Kemenade

NEW RELEASE BY JOHN TABACCO

John Tabacco has just released "Wes Houston Presents : Sushi Savant 10​-​08​-​24", presenting the songs that got perfomed by Sushi Savant (Joe Gioglio, John Tabacco, Jim Pastor, Gary Settoducato, Mike Christian) on the legendary Long Island music show "Wes Houston Presents".
(Wes interviewed Sushi Savant and the group played five original songs.)

THE UNIVERSE BY EAR TOURDATES

 

KÖSTER / HOCKER'S NEW ALBUM INCLUDE THEIR VERSION OF ZAPPA'S 'BOBBY BROWN'

Köster & Hocker's "Stabil Nervös" album includes 'Nobbi Braun', a German version of FZ's 'Bobby Brown'.

The album is out on 2CD, on 2LP, and on digital music platforms.

GRAVEHUFFER - MILE HIGH LIVE

• gravehuffer: mile high live
      (2024, cd, USA, private release)

Made available through Bandcamp, Gravehuffer's "Mile High Live" album included a studio bonus track: FZ's 'Inca Roads', combined with Black Sabbath's 'Children Of The Grave'.

The album was recently made available on CD in a limited edition of 100 copies (and there are still some copies available !).
My copy arrived last week. It looks and sounds great.
A fine addition to The Others Of Invention...

TASAVALLAN PRESIDENTTI - LIVE AT RUISROCK 1971

With a bit of a delay, but Tasavallan Presidentti's "Live At Ruisrock 1971" has finally been released.
I received my vinyl copies (black vinyl version & purple vinyl version) a couple of days ago.
They look great.

Out on the Finnish Svart Records label.
It includes Tasavallan Presidentti's performance of FZ's 'King Kong' combined with 'Celebration Of The Saved Nine'.
A 20-minute version !!

The recording on the 2LP set is from 1971, but the band performed FZ's 'King Kong' in 2006 as well.

THE UNIVERSE BY EAR - SAIL AROUND THE SUN

• the universe by ear: sail around the sun-tour live
      (2023, cd, Switzerland, timezone records)

Pascal Grünenfelder's deep, driving bass line, Stef Strittmatter's feedback-fuelled, howling riffs, and Beni Bürgin's powerful drumming are the basis for The Universe By Ear's sound.

Add Pascal's and Stef's blending voices and you have an energetic mixture that leaves its mark.

Recorded live on tour in 2022 and 2023, "Sail Around The Sun" shows The Universe By Ear in fine shape.

12 tracks on the CD. 
Recorded in Switzerland, Germany and Italy.
The Bandcamp release has one additional track.

I received this CD a couple of months ago already, and I just keep playing it.

Highly recommended.
Check it out !!

PYGMY TWYLYTE

February 18, 2024, Scottish band Pygmy Twylyte performed the music of Frank Zappa at the 'Half Moon' club in Putney, London, UK.

For those of us who couldn't attend, audience audio recordings of both the Early and the Late show have turned up over at DimeADozen.

The Early show

Intro * Florentine Pogen * Penguin In Bondage * Camarillo Brillo * The Gumbo Variations * Why Does It Hurt When I Pee? * Lucille * Zoot Allures * The Torture Never Stops * Hot Plate Heaven * Tell Me You Love Me * Andy * Stevie's Spanking * Teenage Prostitute * Filthy Habits * Montana * City Of Tiny Lites * Peaches En Regalia * Yo Mama * Whipping Post * Muffin Man

The Late show

I'm The Slime * Dirty Love * Son Of Orange County * More Trouble Every Day * Chunga's Revenge * Carolina Hardcore Ecstasy * Son Of Mr Green Genes * Sharleena * Ride My Face To Chicago * My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama * Advance Romance * Eat The Question * Outside Now * Joe's Garage * Black Napkins * Stinkfoot * Cosmik Debris * Titties & Beer * Muffin Man

To give you an idea what to expect, here's a complete concert recording from 2019.

THE RETURN OF FIDO PLAYS ZAPPA

Fido Plays Zappa has not only released 'Sinister Footwear' on YouTube. The piece is also available for purchase on Bandcamp !!

The very same Bandcamp page is also offering a digital version of the 7" the band released a couple of years ago.

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS - 1994 RECORDINGS OF STUDENT JAZZ ENSEMBLES

• the university of the arts: 1994 recordings of student jazz ensembles
      (1995, cd, USA, private release / ua9501)

The University of the Arts School Of Music is located in the centre of Philadelphia.
This recording featured four of the more than twenty student jazz ensembles at The University of the Arts: the Fusion Ensemble, Common Ground, Facing West, and the Big Band.
The Fusion Ensemble, directed by professor Rick Kerber recorded FZ's 'Black Napkins' in an arrangement of trumpet player Aaron Meicht. The solos were performed by Tim Garton (alto sax) and Chris Shepherd (guitar).

This CD had been on my want-list for a couple of years already.
I'm glad that I got hold of it. It's a great album, with an excellent 'Black Napkins'.

STEF KAMIL CARLENS - BE WHO YOU WANNA BE

• stef kamil carlens: be who you wanna be
      (2024, cd, bel, starman records)

SKC's latest, "Be Who You Wanna Be" focusses on the dance moves.
The CD opens with a fine version of 'The Future' (Prince), and continues in Stef Kamil's typical sound and atmospheres.
Beautiful instrumentation and superb vocals (with great backings by Rahmat Emonds and Nel Ponsaers). Great songs.
Love it.

Here's 'The Future' (radio mix)

FIDO PLAYS ZAPPA

The official release day for the new Fido Plays Zappa album is on the 17th of May !!

In the meantime, here's 'Sinister Footwear' !!

NEW ZAPPA ALBUM ANNOUNCED FOR JUNE 21

Sure, there's the Record Store Day release, a vinyl edition of "Frank Zappa For President", but there's also the upcoming "Frank Zappa & The Mothers Of Invention Whisky A Go Go 1968".

It will be out as a 5LP set, and as a 3 CD set.
Plus a highlights 2 LP set.

Here's 'The Duke', released as a teaser.

https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/frank-zappa-mothers-invention-whisky-go-go-1968-live-album/

https://www.bravado.de/p51-i0602458671582/frank-zappa-the-mothers-of-invention/whisky-a-go-go-1968/index.html

CAPTAIN BEEFHEART & HIS MAGIC BAND - BROADCAST FROM LONDON & BREMEN 1968-72

• captain beefheart & his magic band: broadcast from london & bremen 1968-72
      (2023, lp, europe, rhythm and blues)

Here's another radio show release that I picked up during my recent trip to London: Captain Beefheart's 1968 John Peel Session (side A), plus the 1972 German Beat Club recordings (side B).

Here's the (indispensable) Captain Beefheart Radar Station review:
http://www.beefheart.com/broadcast-from-london-bremen-1968-72/

OTTLA - VOGEL

• ottla: vogel
      (2024, cd, bel, unday)

"Vogel" (bird) is Ottla's second release.

A jazz / improvised music project by guitar player and composer Bert Dockx, Ottla released its first (eponymous) album in 1999. As a sextet.
For "Vogel", Bert resurrected Ottla but this time as a quartet with a slightly adapted line-up.

Fascinating. Mesmerizing.

Check it out.

The album is available on LP and on digipack CD, but also on Bandcamp.

ARISTOCRATS TOUR DATES

A message from the Aristocrats

Having recently wrapped an exclusive run of completely sold out dates on the west coast of the United States (the “Duckling” tour) around the DUCK album’s release, guitarist Guthrie Govan, bassist Bryan Beller and drummer Marco Minnemann will now bring their trademark musical virtuosity and inherent absurdity back to stages all across the United States, as well as Canada and Mexico. They’ll be playing (and perhaps even explaining) a sizeable chunk of their new album DUCK, as well as classic cuts from their five-album catalogue.

Of the upcoming tour, Guthrie commented, “Our new concept album tells the tale of a Duck who travels thousands of miles from his home on a small island and ultimately finds himself in the US… As the sole UK-based member of The Aristocrats, I’m particularly looking forward to retracing his anatine steps this summer!". Marco adds, “It was exciting experiencing the great response and equally great fun we had taking our newest ‘Duck’ material briefly out on the road for a test drive. I cannot express more how much I look forward to presenting our most recent offerings to all of you wonderful people around the globe.” Bryan concludes, “We’re extremely proud of the DUCK album, but live onstage is where our music always truly comes alive. With that said: North America, we’ll see you soon!”

• Tuesday, July 2 - Monterrey, MX - Cafè Iguana
• Thursday, July 4 - Guadalajara, MX - C3 Stage
• Saturday, July 6 - Mexico City, MX - Foro 28
• Thursday, July 11 - Ramona, CA - Ramona Mainstage
• Friday, July 12 - Phoenix, AZ - Crescent Ballroom
• Monday, July 15 - McKinney, TX - Guitar Sanctuary
• Tuesday, July 16 - McKinney, TX - Guitar Sanctuary
• Wednesday, July 17 - Austin, TX - Empire Control Room
• Thursday, July 18 - Houston, TX - Scout Bar
• Sunday, July 21 - Jacksonville, FL - Jack Rabbits
• Monday, July 22 - Orlando, FL - The Abbey
• Tuesday, July 23 - Tampa, FL - Crowbar
• Thursday, July 25 - Atlanta, GA - Vinyl
• Saturday, July 27 - Charlotte, NC - Neighborhood Theatre
• Sunday, July 28 - Raleigh, NC - The Pour House
• Wednesday, July 31 - Washington, DC - Howard Theater
• Thursday, August 1 - Phoenixville, PA - Colonial Theater
• Friday, August 2 - New York, NY - Gramercy Theater
• Saturday, August 3 - Somerville, MA - Crystal Ballroom
• Sunday, August 4 - Portland, ME - Portland House Of Music
• Tuesday, August 6 - Montreal, QC - Les Foufones Électriques
• Thursday, August 8 - Toronto, ON - Velvet Underground
• Friday, August 9 - Buffalo, NY - Electric City
• Saturday, August 10 - Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom
• Sunday, August 11 - Chicago, IL - Bottom Lounge
• Tuesday, August 13 - Kansas City, MO - Recordbar
• Thursday, August 15 - Denver, CO - Bluebird Theater
• Sunday, August 18 - Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge
• Wednesday, August 21 - Vancouver, BC - Hollywood Theatre
• Thursday, August 22 - Seattle, WA - Neumos
• Friday, August 23 - Portland, OR - Aladdin Theater
• Sunday, August 25 - Sacramento, CA - Harlow's
• Tuesday, August 27 - San Francisco, CA - The Independent
• Friday, August 30 - Los Angeles, CA - Echoplex

Haven't got your copy of DUCK yet? It's available now on CD/Deluxe/Vinyl and hi-res audio - visit linktr.ee/aristocratsband for all the links.

ALLAN HOLDSWORTH

Allan Holdsworth (6 August 1946 – 15 April 2017)

GARY LUCAS AT THE BRIDGE GUITAR FESTIVAL IN EINDHOVEN

HEROES NIGHT: THE MUSIC OF GARY LUCAS & JEFF BUCKLEY

BRIDGE Guitar Festival

Saturday, June 01, 2024
at the Kleine zaal at the Muziekgebouw, Eindhoven, NL

https://www.muziekgebouweindhoven.nl/en/agenda/6465/heroes-night/the-music-of-gary-lucas-jeff-buckley

LOUISE VAN DEN HEUVEL - SONIC HUG

Dutch bass player Louise van den Heuvel has just released 'Sonic Hug'.

I received a digital copy of the album earlier today and I really enjoyed listening to the album.

Bandcamp adds
Louise van den Heuvel is a dynamic Dutch bass player and composer. She's known for blending modern music technologies and effect pedals in her compositions rooted in the contemporary electronic/jazz scene. Louise founded the up-and-coming Belgian electronic jazztrio Dishwasher_, collaborated with renowned artists on stage such as Zwangere Guy & Lander Gyselinck and Bruno Vansina Orchestra, and is part of Stéphane Gallands’ The Rhythm Hunters, The Gallands, and the neo-soul group STACE.

Lovely.

DUTCH BAND SJAKO! RECORDED AND RELEASED FRANK ZAPPA'S 'I'M THE SLIME'

Dutch rock band Sjako!'s latest album, 'Megaliths', includes a superb version of FZ's 'I'm The Slime'.

Out on vinyl.
Released by Sounds Haarlem Likes Vinyl.

Also out on digital music channels.

-- info: Jan van Kemenade

RICK BEATO TALKED TO JOE SATRIANI & STEVE VAI

April 4, 2024

JOE SATRIANI & STEVE VAI - - - LIVE AT THE BEACON THEATRE - - - APRIL 6, 2024

The entire Beacon Theatre New York City 4/6/2024 concert

 

JOE SATRIANI & BRIAN TARQUIN

Joe Satriani and Brian Tarquin backstage after Joe’s show with Steve Vai at the Hard Rock, Orlando on March 22.

Joe is going to record a new song with Brian this year for a Brian Tarquin & Heavy Friends’ EP he’s producing. And Steve Vai wrote to Brian about “Speed of Sound,” the track which Joe played with Brian on his “Brothers in Arms” album released in 2023. Steve praised, “I really like the track (Speed of Sound) you and Joe Satriani did together. It rocks hard, and for such a great cause.” Joe and Brian won "Best Video" in the Joisey Awards.

-- info: LeightonMedia

PETE GRIFFIN & TONY MACALPINE

Pete Griffin (bass player for the Zappa Plays Zappa band) can be heard on Tony MacAlpine's 2017 "Death Of Roses" album.
Pete also payed on Tony's previous album, "Concrete Gardens", from 2015.

IAIN BALLAMY / ANORAK - MORE JAZZ

Iain Ballamy's Anorak quartet released "More Jazz" in 2007.
Rather standard in its setting and in is choice of classic jazz tunes, Anorak delivered a very playful and fun album with "More Jazz".

Recommended listening.

From the record label's website:
Iain Ballamy rediscovers his jazz roots in an album that came out of a commission for the Cheltenham Jazz Festival with support from the Jerwood Foundation. In the sleeve notes to the album he writes:

“Over the past 20 years my music has been described variously as ‘eclectic, contemporary and English’– certainly not as ‘retro, straight-ahead or in the American style’. So what marks this return to the ‘classic’ jazz format with ‘More Jazz’?

Although my true ‘jazz roots’ have never been too deeply concealed, some aficionados might argue that much of my past output is not strictly ‘jazz’. Who decides the criteria, I wonder, by which jazz can be deemed authentic? Regardless of the argument or the answer, it felt like the right time to look both backwards and forwards at the same time and to create ‘a modern jazz record with traditional sensibilities. By re-working classics such as ‘All The Things You Are’, ‘I Got Rhythm’ and ‘Stella By Starlight‘, I’m striving to create a bridge between jazz past and present. I can empathize with a well seasoned jazz listener who might feel that in much contemporary jazz, discernable points of reference are rather thin on the ground or even absent altogether. Equally, forward thinkers could argue that the current re-kindling of ‘the tradition’ often lacks freshness, risk or originality – as if the music is simply stewing in the rich juices of its own history and crying out for re-invention. Re-invention is in the true tradition of jazz – the forward momentum that has always kept the music evolving and sounding ‘of its own time’.”

RHUN - TOZZOS

I'm pretty sure that I mentioned Rhun's previous album on these very pages last year.
And even if I did not, the good news is that Rhun has a new album out.
Their third and it's called "Tozzos".

4 pieces of music, totaling almost 40 minutes.

Top Zeuhl.

ANOTHER EIDON UPDATE

Eidon has released two new pieces through Bandcamp.

'Petit Rien I'

'Petit Rien II' 

AND !!
The 27th of April, Jammin' Dew, featuring Eidon, will be doing a concert at in Herent, BE.

IAIN BELLAMY - BALLOON MAN

Fans of adventurous jazz saxophone playing should check out Iain Bellamy.
The English saxophone player and composer Iain Bellamy released his first solo album in 1989, called "Balloon Man".

I was able to give "Balloon Man" a listen earlier today.
Wonderful.
Iain Bellamy on saxes.
With Django Bates on keyboard, Steve Watts on double bass, and Martin France on drums.
Lovely.

A more recent concert snippet.
From 2019 :

WIDESPREAD PANIC - FREE SOMEHOW

• widespread panic: free somehow
      (2008, cd, usa, widespread reccords)

Widespread Panic is one the classic U.S. southern rock / blues rock jam bands.

My pal Danny's database says that "Free Somehow" was the 21st release by Widespread Panic, one of the first Widespread Panic albums to feature Jimmy Herring on lead guitar !!

From 2008.

Fun !!

CAPTAIN BEEFHEART AND HIS MAGIC BAND - BROADCASTS 1968 - 1980

• captain beefheart and his magic band: broadcasts 1968-1980
      (2023, 2cd, europe, fm concert broadcasts)

In Flemish we have this saying that goes "Door het bos de bomen niet meer zien".
When you can no longer see the trees for the forest.

That certainly is true for all of the radio show albums that have been released the last couple of years.
Too much is happening. And there's lots of info available, but not quite what you are looking for...

"Broadcasts 1968-1980" is such a release.
Out on CD; released in 2023; unannounced; and no further details known when it comes to the when and where of the track list.

I came across this 2 CD set during my recent trip to London (to attend a wonderful concert by Treacherous Cretins and Robert Martin, performing the music of Frank Zappa).

"Broadcasts 1968 - 1980" is a collection of pieces from various sources.
Fun to listen to? Sure, but some additional info would have been nice.
Even the omniscient Captain Beefheart Radar Station website couldn't help.

http://www.beefheart.com/broadcasts-1968-1980/

PARADOX & ROADBURN

Over in The Netherlands, it's time for the Roadburn Festival to rock Tilburg.

The next couple of days, my favorite Dutch jazz club (Paradox) will take part in the Roadburn Festival and will even have two top Belgian bands on the bill.
Every now and then, a bit of chauvinism may be in order.

Friday the 19th of April : Echoes Of Zoo

Saturday the 20th of April: Ottla

NEW RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE - MY FATHER'S PLACE ROSLIN NY 1981

• new riders of the purple sage: my father's place roslyn ny 1981
      (2024, download, --, 101 guitars)

As Wikipedia puts it:
... emerged from the psychedelic rock scene in San Francisco in 1969 and its original lineup included several members of the Grateful Dead.

Throughout the years, the New Riders Of The Purple Sage (NRPS) have released quite a number of albums, and more recently, a radio show album got added to the list: "My Father's Place, Roslyn NU 1981".

The recording that I received wasn't from the actual CD but was (an edited version) from the 101 Guitars website.
Apparently, the radio show CD release presented some bad audio quality, combined with unpleasant 5 to 10 second pauses between the tracks.

This edited version from 101 Guitars was an upgrade.
It was my first encounter with NRPS, and I considered it a very pleasant one.

TONY TROMBO RELEASES "TALKING ZAPPA"

Podcaster Tony Trombo has just released "Talking Zappa", a 190-page book.

The cover says it all:
Interviews with Ike Willis, Ed Mann, Lisa Popeil, Don Preston, and more !!

Available from Amazon.

STEF KAMIL CARLENS' "BE WHO YOU WANNA BE" IS OUT !!

The new Stef Kamil Carlens album it out !
"Be Who You Wanna Be"

Available on LP, CD and on Bandcamp.

 

MATTHIAS VAN DEN BRANDE TRIO - APPROACHING THE PRESENT

• Matthias Van den Brande - Tenor & Soprano Saxophone
• Tijs Klaassen - Double Bass
• Wouter Kühne - Drums

The Matthias Van den Brande Trio released "Approaching The Present" about two years ago.
Contemporary jazz.

Only four tracks / pieces, but what lovely improvisations and interactions.

-

PROPELLER KUH - THE QUIRKIEST OF QUIRK

According to Bandcamp, Propeller Kuh resides in Portugal. 
There's not much known about Propeller Kuh, except maybe that he's influenced by the music of Frank Zappa which resulted in a couple of references on some of his albums (and a contribution to one of Z.E.R.O.'s projects).

If this sparks your interest, do check out his 2019 "Grumpy La Vie" album.

More recently, Propeller Kuh released "The Quirkiest Of Quirk" which is sort of a compilation.

It's fun. It's adventurous.
It's recommended listening !

 

RYMDEN - VALLEYS AND MOUNTAINS

Having enjoyed Rymden's "Reflections And Oddyseys" album, I was looking forward to "Valleys And Mountains" (from 2023), another download that I received.

Bugge Wesseltoft, Magnus Öström and Dan Berglund are in fine shape.
"Valleys And Mountains" is a joy to listen to. Great melodies, almost ballad-like.

'The Hike' features John Scofield on guitar !

Beautiful.

J.M. SMIG - MANOFGOD

J.M. Smig's "Manofgod" album got released in 2017.

SCENARIO: An aging conservatory teacher establishes an avant-garde music seminar to lure students, murdering them as a sacrifice to a demon in exchange for maintaining his youthful appearance by transferring his age to an old promotional head shot of himself. When the conservatory closes during a pandemic, the demon sends the teacher to a nearby fenny forest in the middle of the night to hunt a crimson fairy.

MORIS TEPPER HAS A NEW ALBUM OUT

Jeff Moris Tepper played guitar in Captain Beefheart's Magic Band from 1975 until 1982.
Later, he recorded with Robert Williams, Frank Black and Tom Waits.

I was convinced his previous solo album got released twenty years ago, but, boy, was I wrong.
Check out his bandcamp page.

His latest release, "Building A Nest", is a Bandcamp & CD release

Featuring Eric Drew Feldman !!

U.K. - IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

John Wetton (bass), Bill Bruford (drums), Eddie Jobson (keyboards), Allan Holdsworth (guitar)

GOWY GUESTS ON THE "LA CHAINE GUITARE" YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Grégory 'Gowy' Francois has been invited to participate in the upcoming episode of La Chaîne Guitare, a YouTube show.

Gowy adds:
I'm honoured to be invited this Wednesday 10 April to co-host the 7pm program on La Chaîne Guitare with Pierre Journel.

Gowy's new album, "Rebirth", is already available for pre-order.

https://gowy.fr/produit/pre-order-new-album/

La Chaîne Guitare

FAUST - FAUST IS LAST

• faust: faust is last
      (2010, 2cd, Germany, klangbad)

German rock band Faust pursued a strange career, the result being that several members of the original band kept on recording as Faust.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faust_(band)

"Faust Is Last" is an album by Joachim Irmler's Faust.
It's pretty impressive album.

Alternating between experimental (even chaotic) excursions, heavy psychedelic rock, space rock, noise, and more classic rock songs, "Faust Is Last" is a great listening experience.

Released on Joachim Irmler's Klangbad record label.