UPCOMING EUROPEAN TOURS

Word has it that both BEAT and Progject might be doing a European tour.

The first dates for Progject have been spotted :

PROGJECT - feat. Mike Keneally

Sept 18, 2024 - Colos-Saal, Aschaffenburg, Germany
Sept 19, 2024 - Harmonie, Bonn, Germany
Sept 23, 2024 - Meisenfrei, Bremen, Germany

FUNKY DESTINATION

Croatian based producer Vladimir Sivc a.k.a Funky Destination.

Bandcamp adds:

modern electronic beat-making thinking, combined with old school and a rare groove mood

I'm intrigued.

"Roots People", from 2020.

"I Do Voodoo", from 2021.

FRANK ZAPPA & THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION - WATERLOO SUNSET

• frank zappa & the mothers of invention: waterloo sunset
      (2015, 2lp + cd, europe, way of wizard records)

I'm no longer on the lookout for Frank Zappa bootleg albums, but every once in a while I come across something that looks too good, or that I want to hear.

"Waterloo Sunset" is such an album.
Released almost ten years ago by the Way Of Wizard Records label, it's a 2 LP set that comes with a bonus CD (with the same recording), in this case a fine soundboard recording of a 1973 show:

1973 11 18 - University Of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada

FZ, Napoleon Murphy Brock, Tom Fowler, George Duke, Ruth Underwood, Bruce Fowler, Ralph Humphrey, Chester Thompson

 
80 min, SBD, A

soundcheck intro, Be-Bop Tango, T'Mershi Duween, I'm The Slime, Big Swifty, Pygmy Twylyte, The Idiot Bastard Son, Cheepnis, Montana, improvisations, Dupree's Paradise (q: Echidna's Arf, T'Mershi Duween, incl. Nowhere riff)

The 2LP was made available in three variations: blue, red and green vinyl.
I went for the blue one.

For the best available audio, go to Zappateers to download the show.

AHMET ZAPPA & TIM PIERCE ON THE ROCKTAILS PODCAST

Thanks to Andrew's https://www.zappanews.co.uk/

for pointing this one out :

And another one, with Owen Elliot-Kugel and Moon as a guest.

Check out Ahmet at 43:30 : Buddie Brown / Bobby Brown

MARBIN - RADIO SHREDDIN' PARTY

• marbin: radio shreddin' party
      (2024, 3cd, USA, private release)

Marbin's "Radio Shreddin' Party" 3 CD set presents three albums that had previously only been made available as digital downloads:

"Alabama Sock Party", "Shreddin' At Sweetwater", and "Radio School - Live At Heartwoord Soundstage".

It's a limited edition digipack release, of which I assume that it is aimed to be sold during concerts.

'Is it any good?', I hear you asking. Well, of course it is. It's Marbin.

-

-

MOHINI DAY & STEVE VAI

'Can You Feel Me?' was a digital platform only single that got released by Mohini Day in 2021.
It featured a guitar solo by Steve Vai !

And bass wonder Mohini Day was special guest during Steve Vai's recent Mumbai concert.

-- info: Harald Häring

DWEEZIL ZAPPA SIGNATURE GUITAR

Next to Dweezil Zappa's 'mandolin' PRS guitar, there's now also a Dweezil Zappa signature model Shabat guitar.

The PRS guitar, that Dweezil is auctioning in support of the upcoming tour:

The Shabat guitar:

WIDESPREAD PANIC - STREET DOGS

Released on CD and as a 2LP set in 2015, Widespread Panic's "Street Dogs" was the first album with Duane Trucks on drums. Duane used to drum for Col. Bruce Hampton's band.

Wikipedia adds that this is the band's twelfth studio album (but the band has released at least as many live albums...).

A fine southern rock album.

PRESENT - THIS IS NOT THE END

 

• present: this is not the end
      (2024, cd, USA, cuneiform)

Belgian progressive rock band Present was formed by guitar player Roger Trigaux in 1979.
"This Is Not The End" is their tenth album. It got recorded between 2019 and 2024, during which Roger passed away (March 2021).

Despite it’s title, This is NOT the end, is, indeed, the final release by the legendary Rock In Opposition band Present, as founder and composer Roger Trigaux died during its recording.

The final result is blindingly precise works of syncopated instruments, all seemingly coming from different angles but ultimately working together as a cohesive, if powerfully overwhelming whole.

Trigaux admits that “I use lengthy repetition and polyrhythmics to push not only the listener but myself to a paroxysm on the intensity.” In this sense, Trigaux’s music can be compared to that of the late Nigerian rock musician Fela Kuti, who gradually built his lengthy songs through repetition and rhythm to generate a visceral experience, and whose live performances were legendary. Also like Fela, Trigaux’ music has an intellectual, thematic subtext, hidden beneath the music’s physical sound.

All the instrumentalists contribute mightily and this is absolutely a group effort of tremendously impressive, rehearsal-intensive rock, and, very sadly to me, possibly the last of its kind.

"This project took 5 years. Roger died in the middle of its creation, the finalization of which was taken care of by Pierre Chevalier, Kurt Budé and Udi Koomran. But the work is accomplished."
– Michel Besset [Roger's long time friend and producer of This is Not the End]

JONAH NILSSON & STEVE VAI

Jonah Nilsson (from the band Dirty Loops) released "Now Or Never" in 2021.
One of the tracks, 'Diamond Ring', featured Steve Vai.

-- info: Harald Häring

ONE SHOT DEAL SCHEDULED TO PERFORM AT THE WHISKEY A GO GO ON JUNE 10

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/whisky-a-go-go-1968-celebration-rsvp-tickets-895560434367

Whisky a Go Go 1968 Celebration RSVP

Frank Zappa and the Mothers cordially invite you to join us on Monday June 10th, 2024 at the Whisky a Go Go at 7pm.

Featuring a performance by One Shot Deal Plays Zappa.

KOREKYOJINN - TUNDRA

• korekyojinn: tundra
      (2011, cd, japan, magaibutsu)

Released in Japan in 2011, and later by the U.S. Skin Graft Records label, "Tundra" was the 4th album of KOREKYOJINN.

I received a digital copy of this album.
High-energy, polyrhythmic instrumental madness,...
Wow.
Great !!

 

J.M. SMIG - MIDI LIFE CRISIS

Check out J.M. Smig's "Midi Life Crisis".
Church organs, artificial voices, sitars, and other bizarre midi generated stuff.
From 2015.

LEAH ZEGER & STEVE VAI

Leah Zeger has released two solo albums, "Pour Moui" in 2013 and "Plans Change" in 2018.
The latter included 'The Wombat', a piece that features Steve Vai !
Out on digital music platforms only.

-- info: Harald Häring

MARCUS REZAK / IKE WILLIS ZAPPA EXPERIENCE - BROAD BROOK OPERA HOUSE

• marcus rezak / ike willis zappa experience: broad brook opera house
      (2022, download, --, bandcamp)

Recorded in concert two years ago, and released on Bandcamp a couple of months after that.
I only came across this recording last week.

The Marcus Rezak / Ike Willis Zappa Experience.

The instrumental parts sound great. Too bad that Ike's voice wasn't up for it.

ABIM FINGER

 Abim Finger

Fusion style improvisation...

X-JAM PLAYS ZAPPA

A message from Robert Martin :

I recently finished mixing and mastering a CD with my friends in Italy, X-Jam, a great band led by drummer Luca Giometti. The CD also features none other than my Zappa alumni friends and allies Ray White and Ike Willis, as well as our Brazilian friends from The Central Scrutinizer Band, Mano Bap and Hugo Hori.

We're working on putting together a tour in Italy later in the year, dates to be announced. Stay tuned.

A NEW BANDCAMP RELEASE BY JOHN TABACCO

John Tabacco
'In A Far Country'

FIDO PLAYS ZAPPA - THE GREAT ESCAPE FOR ALL OF YOU - LIVE 2023

• fido plays zappa: the great escape for all of you - live 2023
      (2024, cd, switzerland, timezone records)
      (2024, lp, switzerland, timezone records)

After having released two teasers on Bandcamp, Fido Plays Zappa eventually released their entire new album a couple of days ago.
Featuring special guest Robert Martin Martin (lead vocals, keyboards, saxophone) next to Oliver Friedli (keyboards), Stefan Strittmatter (guitar, vocals), Martin Medimorec (percussion, vocals), Pascal Grünenfelder (bass, vocals), and Remy Sträuli (drums, vocals), "The Great Escape For All Of You" will take you through some excellent performances of some great Zappa tunes.

This is the material that will survive the test of time: 'Trouble Every Day', 'City Of Tiny Lites', 'Black Napkins', 'Dupree's Paradise', 'Village Of The Sun', 'Echidna's Arf' / 'Don't You Ever Wash That Thing', 'Cosmic Debris', 'Inca Roads', 'Sinister Footwear', and 'Sofa'.

The guitar solos in 'City Of Tiny Lites' and 'Inca Roads', the bass solo and the melodic percussion in 'Black Napkins'...
And Robert's voice...

Love it.

Essential listening for Zappa freaks.

The CD (and Bandcamp) version do offer one additional track : 'Village Of The Sun' !!

In my excitement, I had ordered both the CD and the LP.

Too bad that the album cover of my LP got ripped during transport. (The actual vinyl album should never be transported inside the cardboard jacket. It will push against and rip the cardboard.)
At least the vinyl was OK.

STEVE VAI (AND MORE)

Did you know that Steve Vai played a guitar solo on 'Go!' by French band M83?
Released on their 2016 "Junk" album.
Very Vai :-)

And here's another excellent M83 track: 'Oblivion', from the movie soundtrack featuring Susanne Sudfor on vocals !!

Performed live :

-- info: Harald Häring

J.M. SMIG ON SPOTIFY

Here's a fine way to check out the musical works of J.M. Smig :

KATHY DALTON - AMAZING

Originally released as "Amazing" in 1973 on Frank Zappa and Herb Cohen's Discreet record label, Cathy Dalton's debut album featured Little Feat (including Lowell George), plus Jay Migliori.
And the album got engineered by Kerry McNabb !

1974 saw the re-release as "Boogie Bands And One Night Stands".

-- info: Jan van Kemenade

MARBIN - DIRTY HORSE

• marbin: dirty horse
      (2021, cd, USA, private release / marbin music)

A recent order from Marbin included their "Dirty Horse" album.

Pulling out all the stops, this is, again, an excellent album by Danny MARkovitch (sax) and Dani RaBIN (guitar), with Jon Nadel on bass and Everette Benton on drums.

Sophisticated and unrestricted.
I didn't expect otherwise, but this is really good album.
Fans of progressive jazz rock must give this a listen.

Out on CD and available through Bandcamp.

ECHOES OF ZOO - FLY VISION

One year after the release of their acclaimed second album ‘Speech of Species’, Belgian jazzpunk-outfit Echoes of Zoo drops a little extra musical treat. ‘Fly Vision’ was recorded during the same session as the album but kept hidden until now. 

Thriving on a 9/8 Balkan rhythm (also known as ‘karsilama’), the track is inspired by traditional Bulgarian Roma music as well as Turkish psychedelia. The incantatory electric guitar and saxophone sounds intertwine deeply offering a multi-layered auditory experience, just like the multifaceted vision of a fly does.

RUNNIN' WITH THE DWEEZIL

Dweezil Zappa released a new episode of his Van Halen podcast series.

Episode 29 of RWTD.

https://www.dweezilzappa.com/songs/1964857-season-1-and-2

This one is all about Alex Van Halen! My guest is drummer Ryan Brown. Get ready to hear special information you won't hear anywhere else. We discuss Alex's drumming in great detail and we even try to tune a snare the way he does. Plus you'll hear some enlightening audio clips that help explain why Alex is every bit as innovative as his brother Edward!
There's only one episode left in the RWTD series. Stay tuned for the grand finale!

Best, D.Z

THE RUDY SCHWARTZ PROJECT - FROP MUSIC VOLUME 2

• the rudy schwartz project: frop music volume 2
      (2024, cd, USA, private release)

Good things come in pairs, and that's most certainly true for the two recent albums by The Rudy Schwartz Project.
Brainchild of Joe Newman, the RSP has been producing music from the other side of the fence for quite a number of years. From shocking and hilarious lyrics to contemporary classical compositions, they can all be found in the Rudy Schwartz Project's catalogue.

"Frop Music Volume 2" focusses on the more serious (read: instrumental) side of RSP, with the sequencer as Joe Newman's main instrument.
Fantastic !

And the most exciting news is that The Rudy Schwartz Project can be found on Bandcamp, while those that still want to cherish an actual CD, can order it from Kunaki (of which the link can be found on the left top corner of the RSP's Bandcamp page.

OU - 淨化 PURGE (FEAT. DEVIN TOWNSEND)

-- info / link: Harald Häring

ARCHITECT OF TRUTH - SHIKAAKWA SYMPHONY

The Architect of Truth released his version of FZ's 'Dumb All Over' through Bandcamp last year.

You might also want to check out his 'Shikaakwa Symphony'. Not Zappa-related, but interesting.

 

EIDON - CHIAROSCURO

Eidon has collected his recent Bandcamp uploads in an album, "Chiaroscuro".
The perfect way to dive into his musical world.

 

VARIJASHREE VENUGOPAL

Varijashree Venugopal’s debut solo album, Vari, is out now! This is her original music album, produced by Grammy Award-winning artist Michael League. This album is an enriching exploration of the global soundscape, where Indian classical music meets a diverse array of musical traditions, all brought together by the rhythmic tapestry of Indian percussion. It is a sonic journey with a singular mission: to unite cultures through the universal language of music.

Varijashree Venugopal · Vari

THE PROGOSAURUS ALBUM IS OUT

The Progosaurus album is out !
Featuring Lee, Lukas Kollroß, Chato Segerer and Moritz Luzner.

VALENTINA CIARDELLI - ANAIS DRAGO - RICCARDO ANGELO STRANO

 The brand-new album by Valentina Ciardelli, Anais Drago, and Riccardo Angelo Strano is called "Shake Your Duty" and it's already up on digital streaming platforms.
Word has it that a CD release will follow soon.

14 tracks in total, including some familiar sounding titles: Baby Snakes, Tengo Na Minchia Tanta, Moggio, Sofa no.2, The Dangerous Kitchen, The Planet Of The Baritone Women, Cletus Awreetus Awrightus, & Your Mouth.

THE RUDY SCHWARTZ PROJECT - I'D LIKE TO EXAMINE YOUR PELICAN

• the rudy schwartz project: i'd like to examine your pelican
      (2024, cd, USA, private release)

Great news as The Rudy Schwartz Project has released two new albums, so let's kick off with "I'd Like To Examine Your Pelican", an album that shows The Rudy Schwartz Project in great shape.

You get bombastic songs with prog rock interludes. But also upbeat musical-like tunes, or cartoonesque melodies. All spiced up with bizarre vocals. From doo wop to declamatory, computer-controlled voices.

Music, (most of the) compositions and instruments by Joe Newman, while the vocals and voices on the different tunes are done by various guests. An excellent choice.

I love the contrast between the music and the lyrics. 
Add a handful of amazing (sequencer / guitar (?)) solos, and I'm for the ride.

Out of this world !!

Out on Bandcamp
https://therudyschwartzproject.bandcamp.com/album/id-like-to-examine-your-pelican

CD's available from DC-Jam / Kunaki
https://kunaki.com/mSales.asp?PublisherId=148137&PP=1

--

 

NEW PIECE BY EIDON

Eidon - Preludio, Lento (Like of a hidden brook​)​, Ritorno

GOWY - REBIRTH

Gowy's "Rebirth" album is out !!
On CD, on vinyl and as a digital streaming / download album through Bandcamp.

As a crowdfunder for this album, I have been enjoying it for a couple of weeks already and I'm still pretty excited about it.

Check it out.

Food for guitar aficionados.

LAUGHING BASTARDS - FETISH

• laughing bastards: fetish
      (2024, cd, belgium, werf records)

Album number four for the Laughing Bastards and it's a beauty. Again.

I caught the band at De Singer jazz club in Rijkevorsel last Saturday and it was a blast.

Beautiful jazzy songs, excellent musicianship, and a performance where each instrument made valuable contributions.

• Michel Mast – tenor saxophone
• Jan-Sebastiaan Degeyter – guitars, banjo, omnichord, effects
• Eline Duerinck – cello
• Cyrille Obermuller – double bass
• Marcos Della Rocha – drums, percussion

"Fetish".
The band is doing some concerts to promote the album. Try to catch them. You will not be disappointed.
Or buy their album.

-

MORE RUSS STEDMAN ALBUMS ON BANDCAMP

More Russ Stedman albums are being made available through Bandcamp.
Including "Alert But Without Acute Distress", the 2010 album (released on CDR at the time) that features Russ' version of FZ's 'Penis Dimension'.

 

RESIDENTS UPDATE FROM NEW RALPH (TOO)

Behold!

Welcome to the latest update from the extremely untidy desk of New Ralph (Too) and all things Residents. We assure you that all four Residents are currently healthy and more or less happy, and working away on not one but two new projects....

The new album, tentatively titled 'Dr Dark', is nearing completion and, we hope, due with us over the summer - as we speak preparations for the final recording sessions are being made after a brief break in proceedings to accommodate various schedules and extra long lie-ins. But it was time well spent - whilst they waited for the stars to align our Eyeballed heroes also began work on another new and unrelated mini-album, which has come together pleasingly quickly. Everybody seems enthusiastic to act on impulse (like we did back in the day) and get the music out there asap, so watch the skies for more on that one.

In the meantime, The Residents have announced the next in their pREServed reissue series - 'Demons Dance Alone' will be released on 2LP and 3CD in June. The latter is packed with unreleased demos, alternate versions and live-in-the-studio material, all of which shines a lovely, soft light on one of the works the group remains most proud of. You can find out all about it, pre-order and so on right HERE.

https://www.cherryred.co.uk/artist/residents-the

Next up in the pREServed series, you can expect either 'Animal Lover' or the 'American Composers Series' set. Both are prepared and ready to roll, with a proposed 'Film and TV' set also in the works. Oh, and there's an accompanying book. Possibly. Maybe. The Residents have dabbled more often than you'd think with the silver screen, so that looks to be an interesting release, once they get their heads around how to put it all together.

And as ever, there are several half-formed projects bubbling away behind the scenes and jostling for position whilst all of the above happens. A film, thoughts on the recent 'Eskimo' live performance, hopes of further collaborations, experimenting with AI technology and all the other wonderful things you might imagine The Residents spend their days doing. As ever, you'll be the first to know should any of it bear fruit.

Oh, and there was a Record Store Day release - we almost forgot! 'Leftovers Again AGAIN?!?' was (is?) a magnificent compilation of mid-late '70s and '80s' stuff found as part of a small cache of lost and forgotten tapes back in January 2023. I know it sounds unlikely, but that's a true story. It's vital stuff, and we're told that copies are still available via Discogs, online record shops and so on - in a world of plentiful Residents material and musical releases, it's a certified must-have. If you can find a copy, we do hope you'll enjoy it.

And that's about it for now. All that remains is an offering... The Residents do hope you recognise their appreciation of you and those you love. No CD, T-shirt or ticket purchase goes unnoticed, and they like to hand out these little treats from time to time in acknowledgement. So here are a couple of things you may enjoy: firstly, something which didn't make the cut for the 'Demons Dance Alone' reissue - 'Low Horses' is a pre-mix, pre-overdub version of what was to become 'High Horses', an instrumental EP released back in 2001. It's cute, right? And they've also thrown in a little taster of the demo material to be found on the 'Demons Dance Alone' pREServed release, namely 'The Beekeeper's Daughter'. As ever, The Residents hope you enjoy it all, stay weird, keep that third eye clear and focussed at all times and, most importantly of all, allow love to envelope you and those you care about. In the end, that's all that really matters.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/28013ol3k3v5qmejrjg9e/The-Residents-Low-Horses.mp3

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ngvgqx9tmeakwt1r1od46/The-Beekeeper-s-Daughter-Demo.mp3

TTFN,
Your Pals @ New Ralph (Too)

ANNEKE VAN GIERSBERGEN - SUPERCRUSH

Anneke van Giersbergen is touring with her Heavy Strings show.

Mon, MAY 6 - Heidelberg, Germany

Tue, MAY 7 - Köln, Germany

Wed, MAY 8 - Neunkirchen, Germany

Thu, MAY 9 - Stuttgart, Germany

Fri, MAY 10 - Hamburg, Germany

Wed, MAY 15 - Steenwijk, Netherlands

May. 17 - 20, 2024 - Wave-Gotik-Treffen 2024 - Leipzig, Germany

Sat, MAY 18 - Zlín, Czech Republic

Sun, MAY 19 - Budapest, Hungary

and a beautiful tribute to her mother who had passed away 10 days earlier

-- info: Harald & Uli

THE RESIDENTS - LATER TONIGHT

This promotional CD single contains 4 songs: a cover version of a song by Pet Shop Boys, a new song especially recorded for the project, and two songs from the forthcoming Bobuck play The Residents album.

 

EIDON - BIZARRIA PER PIANO, MELLOTRON E PERCUSSIONI

 

THE PYRMIDS - OTHERWORLDLY

The Pyramids released three albums between 1973 and 1976.
Afro jazz.

The band, featuring Idris Ackamoor, reunited years later and released "Otherworldly" in 2011.

'Memory Ritual' was the opening track fo the album.
Out on CD and on 2LP.

CLASSICAL ZAPPA CONCERT IN LJUBLJANA ON AUGUST 19, 2024

ZAPPA CONCERT -  "ZAPPA DAY IN LJUBLJANA"

August 19, 2024

• ENSEMBLE DISSONANCE
• JONATHAN STOCKHAMMER, conductor
• VLATKO STEFANOVSKI, solo guitar
• BLAŽ ŠEF, voice

https://ljubljanafestival.si/en/event/zappa-day-in-ljubljana/

• Dog-Meat (Dog Breath Variations & Uncle Meat)
• Revised Music for Low Budget Orchestra
• Outrage at the Valdez
• The Black Page
• Naval Aviation
• Put A Motor in Yourself
• Moggio
• The Adventures of Greggery Peccary

UPCOMING LECTURE AND SCREENING "FRANK ZAPPA IN PRAGUE"

WHERE AND WHEN:
Friday, May 10, 2024 at 7:00 PM
Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Los Angeles
10990 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1100
Los Angeles, CA 90024.

RSVP:
Please confirm your attendance by May 7 , 2024 to: CzechConsulateLA@gmail.com

ABOUT THE LECTURE AND THE DOCUMENT:
"How Frank Zappa and electric guitar helped to defeat Communism in Eastern Europe" - The presentation will be in English.

During the talk, Petr Dorůžka, a leading Czech expert in modern music, will reflect on a period over three decades ago when the udnerground sceene in Czechoslovakia battled against communism. They unexpected ally was Frank Zappa, the LA-based American rock, pop, and jazz musician and composer known for his noncoformity, improvisation, and sound experimentation.

Throughout the evening, we will screen the documentary "Frank Zappa v Praze" (dir. Jan Rubeš, ml. 30min, 1990). The documentary is primarilz in English with Czech subtitles, featuring short segements of dialogue in Czech. Follwoing the screening of this 30-minute film on Zappa´s first visit to Prague in January 1990, just weeks after the Velvet Revolution that toppled the Communism in Czechoslovakia, Petr will talk about the role of the electric guitar in defeating Communism in Eastern Europe and discuss why Zappa was so much hated by the Czech secret police.

ABOUT PETR DORŮŽKA:
Petr Dorůžka is a journalist, producer, author, lecturer at the Charles University in Prague, and a host on Prague Radio and Czech National Radio, With a longstanding career in world music, he has been a part of the World Music Charts Europe almost since its inception, serving as a key jounalist and participating in numerous importatn panels in the world music scene. He is highly respected source of information among global music experts. Dorůžka is also the author of a book on Zappa and served as his personal interpreter during Zappa's visit to Prague, including meetings with President Havel.

FIDO PLAYS ZAPPA FEAT. ROBERT MARTIN - VILLAGE OF THE SUN

Fido Plays Zappa has released their second teaser for / single from their upcoming live album.

On Youtube

On Bandcamp:

MIKE KENEALLY'S "NONKERTOMPF LIVE" RELEASED ON BANDCAMP

Mike Keneally's "Nonkertompf Live" promotional album (from 2002) has been made available for download / streaming through Bandcamp !!

Read the complete story, listen to the music and support the artist here :

FRANK SIDEBOTTOM

Frank Sidebottom, as you may remember, reworked some Captain Beefheart tunes and released them on his "13:9:88" LP in 1988.

These tracks can be found on a couple of compilations, including the brand-new "Little Box Of Bobbins" 3 CD set.

JULIAN ARGÜELLES - TONADAS

"Tonadas".
Modern jazz by Julian Argülles !

Music to get you in a good mood.

• Julian Argüelles - Tenor and Soprano saxophones, percussion
• Ivo Neame - piano
• Sam Lasserson - double bass
• James Maddren - drums, percussion

RUINSZU

Ruins from Tokyo, Japan and Zu from Rome Italy have known each other, been around each other, and toured together since the late ’90s.

Both bands are devoted to creating idiosyncratic forms that push music to its limits and break any genre and style boundary, ( you can call it prog-metal but it’s just scratching the surface). It was long overdue that they would conspire and collaborate at some point in history.

So Ruins founder and permanent member, legendary drummer & vocalist Yoshida Tatsuya, and both Zu founders and permanent members Luca T Mai and Massimo Pupillo (respectively sax and electric bass) have formed the new creature RuinsZU and will tour Europe together for the first time in Spring 2024.

• 02/05/24 Bologna Freakout Club Italy
• 03/05/24 Genova La Claque Italy
• 04/05/24 Mezzago Bloom Italy
• 05/05/24 Geneva Cave12 Switzerland
• 07/05/24 Lyon Periscope France
• 08/05/24 Pau La Ferronnerie France
• 10/05/24 London Dingwalls United Kingdom
• 11/05/24 Bristol Crofters Rights United Kingdom
• 12/05/24 Liverpool Kazimier Stockroom United Kingdom
• 14/05/24 Paris La Station France
• 15/05/24 Bruxelles Magasin 4 Belgium
• 16/05/24 Eeklo N9 Belgium
• 17/05/24 Utrecht dB’s Netherlands
• 18/05/24 Nijmegen Extrapool Netherlands
• 19/05/24 Hamburg Hafenklang Germany
• 21/05/24 Berlin Zukunft am Ostkreuz Germany
• 22/05/24 Jena Cafe Wagner Germany
• 23/05/24 Prague Akropolis Czech Republic
• 24/05/24 Linz STWST Austria
• 25/05/24 Pordenone Astro Club Italy
• 26/05/24 Torino Jazz is dead! Italy
• 30/05/24 Jesi TNT Italy

Ruins :

Zu :

SPIRITS BURNING & CLEARLIGHT - THE ROADMAP IN YOUR HEAD

• spirits burning & clearlight: the roadmap in your head
      (2016, cd, UK, gonzo multimedia)

In 2016, Don Falcone's space rock ensemble teamed up with French band Clearlight, resulting in "The Roadmap In Your Head".
It was an exercise both bands had already done in 2013 for "Healthy Music In Large Doses".

Again, a collaboration that's worth checking out.

THE FURIOUS BONGOS - THE ROAD TO HALLOWEEN 2023 VOL. 2

The Furious Bongos released "The Road To Halloween 2023 Volume 1" in March.
Last month, "Volume 2" followed.

Superb versions of Frank Zappa compositions.
This is an old guy talking, but this should be out on CD or on LP. 

They performed twice at last year's Zappanale, both exceptional performances, and it sounds like they've only gotten better.

"Volume 2" (with Chad Wackerman on drums) got released on April 22. I bought it the same date (or maybe on the 23rd) and I've been playing at least a couple of tracks every day since then.

AMANDA WHITING - THE LIMINALITY OF HER

Here's another fine discovery (that got presented to me by one of my friends): Amanda Whiting's "The Liminality Of Her".
Welsh harpist and composer combines beautiful (harp) melodies (in different musical styles) with contemporary beats and rhythms (not forgetting the great bass lines)

Beautiful !!
Recommended listening.

TU-NER TOURDATES

MoonJune says:

We're thrilled to announce the upcoming Tu-Ner tour. Catch Trey Gunn on touch guitar, Pat Mastelotto on drums and electronics, and Markus Reuter on touch guitar as they hit the road to share their electrifying performances with fans across the country.

Mark your calendars for these tour dates:

• May 9: Phoenix, AZ (The Rhythm Room)
• May 10: San Marcos, CA (The Bornemann Theater)
• May 11: Los Angeles, CA (The Baked Potato, 2 shows)
• May 12: Los Angeles, CA (The Baked Potato, 2 shows)
• May 14: Mill Valley, CA (Sweetwater Music Hall)
• May 16: Stockton, CA (Haggin Museum)
• May 18: Arcata, CA (Arcata Playhouse)
• May 20: Eugene, OR (The WOW Hall)
• May 22: Portland, OR (Alberta Abbey)
• May 23: Seattle, WA (The Triple Door)
• May 25: Vashon Island, WA (Open Space Center For Arts)
• May 26: Vancouver, BC, Canada (BlueShore Financial Centre for the Performing Arts at Capilano University)

JOHN SURMAN - WORDS UNSPOKEN

• john surman: words unspoken
      (2024, cd, germany, ecm)

Multi-instrumentalist and composer John Surman's latest album is entitled "Words Unspoken".
From the first notes, John takes you on a voyage.

This is nice. This is a really nice album.

The album title – Words Unspoken – alludes to the instant musical understanding found by the members of this nimble quartet assembled by great British reedman John Surman. „My idea was to put together some musical ideas that would offer a collective sense of purpose but still be open enough to allow each of us to suggest other ways of developing the material together. Everything fell into place immediately. But I soon realized it wasn‘t so much the musical ideas that made it work, it was the musicians.” Surman and US vibraharpist Rob Waring – both residents of Oslo – had previously collaborated in John’s Invisible Threads trio with Nelson Ayres, but the associations with Norwegian drummer Thomas Strønen and UK guitarist Rob Luft were new. With these four quick-witted players, all debate takes place in the music, stimulated by Surman’s strongly melodic themes and improvisational imagination.

DAVE NEWHOUSE - NATURA MORTA

• dave newhouse: natura morta
      (2024, cd, uk, newhouse music)

I received a digital copy of "Natura Morta", a playful and surprising album by Dave Newhouse (The Muffins, Manna/Mirage) the other day.
Multi-instrumentalist Dave Newhouse did invite quite a few guests on the album. 

• Luciano Margorani - guitar
• Mark Stanley - guitar
• Angel Ontalva - guitar
• Dave Van Allen - pedal steel guitar
• Forrest Fang - violin
• Guy Segers - bass
• Jerry King – bass-trombone
• Paul Sears - drums
• Sean Rickman - drums
• Rich O'Meara - percussion
• John Greaves - vocals
• Michele King - vocals

The result sounds great. RIO / fusion / rock / ...
Very enjoyable.

EIDON - DOORS

 A new intriguing piece by Eidon: dOOrs (or 'd00rs')

MORE RUSS STEDMAN

In 1992, Keyboard magazine released a Frank Zappa special. The article also showed the score for a Frank Zappa piece called 'Waltz', or 'Waltz For Guitar', a piece that FZ had written when he was 18 years old.
Although never recorded by FZ, several artists have recorded this composition. Dietmar Bonnen, David Tanenbaum, Gunnar Spjuth,...

But Russ Stedman might have been one of the first to record the piece as he released it early 1993 already.

KOREKYOJINN ACOUSTIC - KALEIDOSCOPE

• korekyojinn acoustic: kaleidoscope
      (2017, cd, japan, magaibutsu)

In 2017 the Japanese prog band Korekyojinn released an acoustic album.
For the occasion, they renamed themselves Korekyojinn Acoustic.

• Tatsuya Yoshida - drums-percussion
• Natsuki Kido - guitar
• Mitsuru Masuno - bass
• Rei Miyamoto - violin

Amazing.

It sounds like Zappa's "Jazz From Hell", but on acoustic instruments.

Here's some snippets from the various tracks:

THE FURIOUS BONGOS TO TOUR CANADA AND EUROPE

a message from The Furious Bongos on Facebook said
May in the US, September in Canada, November in the US & Europe....it's gonna be a great year for the Bongos 

ROSALIE CUNNINGHAM - LIVE AT ACAPELA

• rosalie cunningham: live at acapela
      (2023, cd, UK, machine elf records)

After having released two studio albums, "Rosalie Cunningham" (2019) and "Two Piece Puzzle" (2022), Rosalie released "Live At Acapela" in 2023.
Recorded live in the studio for a small audience the album shows what Rosalie is all about.
Nice songs, fine guitar licks and great vocals.

Psychedelic rock fans will go wild.
As I did.

Here's an audience clip from the same concert.
Sound-wise not to be compared with the album, but you'll get the drift.

IMMY AND THE MAHOOTS

Parijoon Immy teamed up with Philip Kaplan (Men & Volts).

Immy & The Mahoots !!

(Beefheart) blues with Indian vocals !!