Saturday, November 30, 2024

MONDE UFO - 7171 (EXPANDED EDITION)

  • Monde UFO: 7171 (expanded edition)
        (2023, download, --, bandcamp)
LA-based duo Monde UFO features Ray Monde and Kris Chau.
Mixing psychedelic / space rock, pop, exotic elements and jazz, they released two albums:
"7171" in 2021, and "Vandalized Statue To Be Replaced With Shrine" in 2023.
Next to those album, Mondo UFO also made an Expanded Edition of "7171" available in 2023.
The vinyl edition came with bonus 7" EP; the digital download added yet another set of bonus tracks.

An excellent discovery.


PIERRE VERVLOESEM - PALM BLEACH

  • Pierre Vervloesem: Palm Bleach
        (2024, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)
Five new classical pieces written by Pierre Vervloesem for a ten pieces ensemble.
Between contemporary, minimal, crossover but definitively 'Vervloesemesque' music!

Wow...
This is beautiful !!
Recommended listening !!


OZ NOY HAS A NEW ALBUM OUT

-- info: Jan van Kemenade

EIDON - INTERMEZZO

A new piece by Eidon

 

DWEEZIL ZAPPA / ZAPPA PLAYS ZAPPA - DOUBLE NICKELS

  • Dweezil Zappa: Double Nickels
        (2024, download, USA, reward music platform)
Made available by Dweezil Zappa through his Reward Music Platform.

Performed by Dweezil Zappa, Scheila Gonzalez, Kurt Morgan, Ryan Brown, Zack Tambori, Bobby Victor

01. Inca Roads
02. Cosmik Debris
03. Semi Fraudulent / 200 Motels Fanfare
04. Pound For A Brown (King Penguin Suite)
05. Echidna’s Arf
06. Don’t You Ever Wash That Thing? (Livin’ On A Hair)
07. Punky’s Whips

SUN RA - LIGHTS ON A SATELLITE - LIVE AT THE LEFT BANK

  • Sun Ra: Lights On A Satellite - Live At The Left Bank
        (2024, 2lp, --, resonance records)
A 1978 Sun Ra concert.
Featuring Sun Ra, Michael Ray, John Gilmore, Marshall Allen, June Tyson,...
It can't get any better than that.

Released as a 2 LP set for Record Store Day / Black Friday.
Also out as a 2 CD set.
The latter has been ordered, but as I received a download yesterday, I'm already enjoying the recording.



Thursday, November 28, 2024

DAVID HIDALGO, CESAR ROSAS & DWEEZIL ZAPPA WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE EXPERIENCE HENDRIX 2025 TOUR

We're pleased to announce David Hidalgo & Cesar Rosas (from Los Lobos) and Dweezil Zappa have been added to select performance on the 2025 Experience Hendrix Tour. 



SNARKY PUPPY RECORDING SESSION IN UTRECHT, NL, NEXT JANUARY

In January 2025, the highly-revered collaboration between Snarky Puppy, the Metropole Orkest and conductor Jules Buckley continues with 6 groundbreaking recording sessions over 3 nights, in Utrecht, The Netherlands? in front of a live audience.

The performances will take place from January 16th-18th, 2025.

Limited tickets are available for each session:
- Thursday January 16 @ 7:00pm
- Thursday January 16 @ 9:45pm
- Friday January 17 @ 7:00pm
- Friday January 17 @ 9:45pm
- Saturday January 18 @ 4:00pm
- Saturday January 18 @ 6:45pm

https://shop.eventix.io/b9e7ac4c-a5a2-11ef-a9cb-7e126431635e/events?


ALL AXES - - - WITH DWEEZIL ZAPPA

ALL AXES - Dweezil Explores Frank Zappa's Guitars!


 

THE FANTOMATIK ORCHESTRA - VII

  • The Fantomatik Orchestra: VII
        (2021, download / streaming, --, itunes)
        (2021, cd, Italy, private release)

Tuscany, Italy-based The Fantomatik Orchestra got started in 1993. They became a marching band, in the style of the American street bands, in 2001.

The band has made several albums and released their version of FZ’s ‘Peaches En Regalia’ on “VII” in 2021.
Made available through digital music platforms such as iTunes, but also on CD.
I'm quite happy that I recently found a copy of the CD.
This is fun stuff.
& their version of 'Peaches En Regalia' sounds great.

Here's a track from one of their previous albums:



VARIOUS ARTISTS - COVERED

  • Various Artists: Covered
        (2009, cd, Canada, warner brothers)
Including The Black Keys: 'Her Eyes Are A Blue Million Miles' (D. Van Vliet).

Taken from the Record Store Day 7", also from 2009, that The Black Keys shared with The Flaming Lips.



Sunday, November 24, 2024

THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION - - - SAMPLERS

Recent additions in the 'samplers' corner...


1976, German re-issue of "Mothermania" in the "Rock'n Pop" series.
--------------------------------------------------------------------


The 1972 "Pregnant" sampler.


FRANK ZAPPA - CHALK PIE


"Chalk Pie", a bootleg album on the Way Of Wizards label, issued in 2014.
The 2 LP set got released in three different colors: red, green and blue.
The sticker in the top right corner indicates the color of the vinyl.

The 2 LP set came with a bonus CD, glued on the left bottom corner of the LP.

NEEDLEPOINT

If I'm not mistaken, I already mentioned superb Norwegian band Needlepoint a little while ago. 

Today, I enjoyed their first two albums.

Recommended listening !!

The 2010 "The Woods Are Not What They Seem"

"Outside The Screen" from 2012.


NEWS FROM THE ZAPPANALE TEAM

Dear Zappanale fans,
 
We are happy to announce that the lineup for next year's 34th Zappanale is complete and all contracts with the bands have been signed.

You can find the lineup as usual on our website www.zappanale.de.

There has already been a lot of positive feedback from you during the first releases of the bands. We are very happy about this and are counting the days until we all meet again on the festival grounds to listen to good music, laugh and have good conversations.

Zappanale Shop

In the future, all Zappanale articles will be available in our new store, which is embedded directly on our Zappanale website https://www.zappanale.de/en/z-shop. The limited and outdated applications in the old store have made this urgently necessary.

Christmas Special

Before the start of the Christmas special pre-sale, we have some “good news” for you!
We have a special Christmas special for you for Z #34. We are offering all tickets, including the discounted tickets, at a special Christmas price!
And not only that, the camping tickets will also be offered with the start of online ticket sales.

The prices for the “music tickets” (festival and day tickets) remain the same as 2024.

There is more “good news” with the camping tickets.

From Z #34 we are offering 2 new tickets. There is a “Tent & Two-Wheeler Ticket” and an “Overnight Parking on the day parking Lot Ticket”. The tickets for the overnight stay in the day parking lot for day guests are only available at the box office.

From Z #34 onwards, we will be offering camping and vehicle tickets for Sun Camp on a “staggering by days” instead of a “flat rate”.

There are no changes to the Green Camp tickets.

You can find more information about the tickets in the Zappanale Shop.
https://www.zappanale.de/en/z-shop

City of Bad Doberan

The town of Bad Doberan has extended its touristic tax statutes to include guests and events. The change will apply from 2025, which means that the spa tax will also be levied by the city of Bad Doberan on the festival site from 2025, as for all other guests (hotels, vacation apartments, campsites, etc.).

In order to simplify the handling for you and us at our box office, we have offered the city of Bad Doberan a lump sum of 50% of the required visitor's tax (€ 2.50 per day), which the Zappanale will then transfer to the city of Bad Doberan as a total amount. This is roughly the amount of the savings that we were able to achieve for you with the redesign of the camping tickets.

If the town of Bad Doberan demands the full amount of the touristic tax and does not accept our offer, Zappanale will still pay 50% of the touristic tax.

The tourist card will be issued by us at the box office and must be filled out directly there and always carried by you (beach, museums, etc.).



We wish you a good start into the crazy pre-Christmas season with always good music, because

Music is the best!
Your Zappanale Team


FRANK ZAPPA - JOE'S CAMOUFLAGE

Frank Zappa's "Joe's Camouflage" album got released on CD in 2014.


Shortly thereafter, a series of counterfeit vinyl version appeared, the nicest one being a picture disc.


Other versions were issued on black, blue, and white vinyl.
I'm quite happy with the blue vinyl version that I recently acquired.


MORAINE - GROUNDSWELL

  • Moraine: Groundswell
        (2016, cd, USA, moonjune records)
Moraine, led by Dennis Rea, released "Groundswell" in 2016. It was their third and latest album.

Progressive jazz / art rock is what the MoonJune Records said on the Bandcamp page.
  • Dennis Rea (guitar)
  • James DeJoie (baritone sax)
  • Alicia DeJoie (violin)
  • Kevin Millard (chapman stick)
  • Tom Zgonc (drums)
"Groundswell" presents ten pieces. Most of these were written by Dennis Rea or by Alicia DeJoie, but the album also offers compositions by composers Danniel Barry and Jon Davis (Zhongyu).

A beautiful album to start the day.


Saturday, November 23, 2024

WARREN HAYNES BAND TOURDATES


FILLLING GAPS IN THE FRANK ZAPPA RADIO SHOW ALBUM RELEASES

  • Frank Zappa & The Mothers Of Invention: Live In Vancouver 1975
        (2016, 2lp, Europe, dol - dor2046h)
Re-issued (exact copy except for the label name & logo) by the Radio Loop Loop label in 2019.
---------------------------------------------------------

  • Frank Zappa & The Mothers Of Invention: Live New Years Eve 1973
        (2019, lp, Europe, keyhole khlp9088)

Also out on CD.
---------------------------------------------------------

  • Frank Zappa: Live At The Palladium New York Halloween 1977
        (2017, lp, Europe, keyhole khlp9079)

Also out on CD.

ZAPPA MUSIC IN ROTTERDAM LAST WEEK

 A week ago, we went to Rotterdam to catch Valentina Scheldhofen Ciardelli (double bass) and Letizia Maulà (clarinet) in concert, performing the music of Puccini and Frank Zappa.

Their Zappa set was a teaser of what we should expect to hear at Zappanale and it sounded great.
(Baby Snakes, Oh No, Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus)

-- picture borrowed from Facebook


MAHOGANY FROG - IN THE ELECTRIC UNIVERSE

  • Mahogany Frog: In The Electric Universe
        (2021, cd, USA, moonjune records)
Mahogany Frog's "In The Electric Universe" is another fine MoonJune Records release.
Sounding more electronic than their other albums, this one pulls you right in.
I guess the title has been well-chosen.
I like it.

Mahogany Frog's 'In The Electric Universe' is the seventh studio album - and third on MoonJune Records - by Canadian instrumental electro-psychedelic outfit Mahogany Frog. Six years in the making, the recording illustrates a foray into forms of sonic searching previously unexamined by the group. Building from approaches in orchestration captured on their 2012 effort SENNA, the group aims to create infinitely morphing waves of sound that transcend conventional perceptions of instrumentation, while simultaneously offering melodic and rhythmic closure. Utilizing the gradual unfolding of themes, extensive repetition, textural layering and crunchy, downbeat-heavy grooves, the tunes invoke a listening experience that is trance-like and hypnotic. The extensive employment of synthesized arpeggiators, often detached from the rhythm and irresolute in tempo, generate warm and disorienting backdrops to otherwise approachable structures. Tape loops and tape delay are used experimentally, highlighting decay and fragmentation. The compositions serve as foundations for melodic layering, tonal examination and deconstruction, resulting in a dynamic and colorful collection of music rich in expression, playfulness and resolve.


PRESAGE

Presage's 1998 "Outer Perimeter" album includes a track called 'The Media'.

Sampling Frank Zappa !

It's great how FZ's songs and samples keep turning up everywhere.


CHICAGO & FRIENDS FEAT. STEVE VAI

Chicago's "Live At 55" is out.
DVD + 2 CD.
2 CD + blu-ray
3 LP
UHD blu-ray

It features Steve Vai as special guest.


Chicago, the legendary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band with more than 100 million albums sold worldwide, bring their iconic sound to Ovation Hall at the Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, NJ for a unique event which finds them joined by special guests Robin Thicke, Chris Daughtry, Steve Vai, VoicePlay, Judith Hill, Robert Randolph and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram. This once-in-a-lifetime event showcases Chicago’s greatest hits and celebrates their 55th Anniversary of their groundbreaking double-platinum debut album, THE CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY. The film also captures “unplugged” a capella arrangements and re-imagined Chicago's hits in an emotionally moving centerpiece.

-- info: Jan van Kemenade

GATAS PARLAMENT

'Tut Og Kjør' by Gatas Parlament Og Supa Sayed
from the 2008 Counter Strike CD EP

Sampled Frank Zappa's 'Willie The Pimp' all through the song.


BELEDO - SERIOUSLY DEEP

  • Beledo: Seriously Deep
        (2021, cd, USA, moonjune)
BELEDO is Uruguayan born, NYC based multi-instrumentalist, predominantly guitarist and pianist, who grew up in Montevideo and was a prominent player on the jazz scene in his native Uruguay, is joined by drummer Kenny Grohowski, who in addition to taking part in several MoonJune recording dates, has worked with John Zorn, John Medeski, Imperial Triumphant, as well as the most recent incarnation of Brand X. Completing the core trio for the record is bassist Tony Levin, whose stellar list of credits includes Paul Simon, John Lennon, Peter Gabriel, David Bowie and King Crimson.

The album opens with Beledo's arrangement of Eberhard Weber's 'Seriously Deep'.
Fourteen minutes of melodic fusion.
Wonderful.

The other tracks all use a different angle, which adds to the album's diversity. 'Mama D' is dedicated to Dortohy Masuka and has vocals by Kearoma Rantao. 'Coasting Zone' sounds like it was inspired by Allan Holdsworth. 'Maggie's Sunrise' has a more lyrical approach. 'A Temple In The Valley' features Boris Savodelli on vocals.
These little differences and nuances make the album stand out.


Friday, November 22, 2024

ABSTRACT ORCHESTRA - MADVILLAIN VOL. 2

More MF Doom, spiced up with Zappa samples?
Well, here's the Abstract Orchestra, a hip-hop big band from Leeds, UK.

The band has released several albums performing the music of Madvillain (MF Doom & Madlib)
“Madvillain Vol. 2” included ‘Meat Grinder’ and included the Frank Zappa / ‘Sleeping In A Jar’ sample, performed by the band.

Amazing.

The Abstract Orchestra's “Madvillain Vol. 2” got released on CD and on LP in 2019.

Madvillain


The Abstract Orchestra



BAPTIZED LESSIX - COLD MOUSE


  • Baptized LesSix: Cold Mouse
        (2018, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)
"Cold Mouse" / "Hot Rats".

Madrid, Spain-based artist Baptized LesSix produced a mashup mini-album using samples from MF Doom and Frank Zappa’s “Hot Rats”.

  1. Great Peaches
    - sampled Peaches En Regalia
  2. Pimp
    - sampled Willie The Pimp
  3. The Dead (interlude)
    - sampled Little Umbrellas
  4. Son Of Mr. Doom
    - sampled Son Of Mr. Green Genes
  5. It Must Be The End
    - sampled It Must Be A Camel



ALI SADEGHI - RAP RECORD

  • Ali Sadeghi: Rap Record
        (2020, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)
California-based Ali Sadeghi mixed Frank Zappa with MF Doom on ‘Figaro’, the second track on his “Rap Record” album.
A perfect combination.

  • Figaro
    - sampled The Duke Of Prunes


THE ULLULATORS - ULLULATOR, ULLULATOR, WHAT'S THAT?

  • The Ullulators: Ullulator, Ullulator, What’s That?
        (2018, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)
U.K.-based alternative / space rock band The Ullulators released “Ullulator, Ullulator, What’s That?” on cassette in 1993.
The recording got remastered and re-issued on Bandcamp in 2018.
The album opened with ‘Radio Gak Remastered’ of which Gavin Griffiths said:
Basically a take on zappa's 'I am the slime on the radio' track. It was fun to write the lyrics... and even more fun to record!

Wow.

-- info: Danny Mathys

AHLEUCHATISTAS - ARREBATO

On "Arrebato", Aheuchatistas is Shane Perlowin on guitar, and Ryan Oslance on drums.
Guitar and drums.
Repetitive loops, soundscapes and improvisations.

Worth checking out !


Thursday, November 21, 2024

MF DOOM - MM.. FOOD

The twentieth anniversary edition of MF Doom's "MM. Food" has a new album cover, and is being re-released on colored vinyl and on CD.

Sure, two tracks include Frank Zappa samples, but what a great album.
Two of the new editions arrived today.

The "Sweetart Marble Effect Vinyl"


The HHV exclusive purple vinyl edition.

-

MARK WINGFIELD & GARY HUSBAND - TOR & VALE

  • Mark Wingfield & Gary Husband: Tor & Vale
        (2019, cd, USA, moonjune records mjr098)
        (2019, 2lp, USA, moonjune records / audio anatomy)
Mark Wingfield on guitar, Gary Husband on piano.
Expect melodic lines transforming into soundscapes and vice versa.

A true meeting of the spirits, Tor & Vale showcases the remarkable chemistry between two extraordinary players, guitarist Mark Wingfield and pianist Gary Husband. A gem of nuanced interaction and rare potency, this intimate session is brimming with sparkling call-and-response exchanges and dramatic rubato exploration between the intrepid improvisers. “This recording captures and reflects the mutual enthusiasm and easy kind of compatibility we found with each other that was present at all times throughout the sessions,” noted Husband. “None of it felt forced or seemed to require a lot of effort at all. It just happened, just as you hear it.”

Out on CD, on 2 LP, and available through Bandcamp.


Wednesday, November 20, 2024

SLIVOVITZ - LIVER

  • Slivovitz: Liver
        (2017, cd, USA, moonjune records)
Italian ensemble Slivovitz recorded "Liver" in 2016.
The album got released on the MoonJune Records label in 2017.

Recorded live, which might be the reference for the title?
Anyway, modern jazz.

I don't just like this. I love it.
They sound like a little big band !
  • DEREK  DI PERRI harmonica
  • MARCELLO  GIANNINI guitars
  • VINCENZO  LAMAGNA bass
  • SALVATORE  RAINONE drums
  • CIRO  RICCARDI trumpet
  • PIETRO  SANTANGELO tenor saxophone
  • RICCARDO  VILLARI electric violin

MAHOGANY FROG - FAUST

  • Mahogany Frog: Faust
        (2022, cd, --, moonjune records)
I recently expanded my Mahogany Frog album collection with "Faust'.
Released in 2022 by the MoonJune Records label, "Faust"

Beautiful !!

Mahogany Frog’s Faust is an original score set to the eponymous 1926 German silent film. Directed by F. W. Murnau, Faust is widely regarded to be among the greatest films of the silent era. It tells the classic legend of fate and temptation that dates back centuries. In this, their latest offering, Mahogany Frog brings together their collective experience in composition, experimentation, electronics, intense rock & roll, and searing fuzz guitar. Together they weave a dark and diverse score around Faust’s brooding tale of corruption, devastation and redemption.

The music for Faust was initially written and rehearsed over the span of three months, culminating in a premier performance at the Roxy Theatre, a historic atmospheric cinema in Saskatoon. Three more performances in Edmonton, Calgary, and Winnipeg followed. Accompanying the band on this tour was audio engineer Grant Trippel, who later recorded the studio sessions at EDR in February of 2020.

In the interim, Mahogany Frog worked on their seventh studio record Mahogany Frog In The Electric Universe. Following work on …Electric Universe, the live recordings were revisited and work on Faust began anew. Whereas …Electric Universe was tightly produced, polished and positive; Faust was envisioned as being dark, raw and emotional. Over the course of 12 months, sessions at four different studios yielded the raw materials for a dense and maximalist sonic tapestry. Final editing, mixing and mastering was completed over the next 3 months, first to picture and then for LP.

The mood of Faust is varied and complex. There are many faces of Mahogany Frog. Harsh noise, electronic drones, and pulsing textures flow in and out of dark and heavy, guitar-driven riffage. Soothing washes of melodic synth-pop flow through syrupy, languid organs only to be obliterated by the shrieks of the damned and the devil himself.


NDR BIGBAND MEETS ENSEMBLE MODERN FESTIVAL IN HAMURG, DE, NEXT APRIL

NDR Bigband meets Ensemble Modern Festival

https://www.ndr.de/orchester_chor/bigband/NDR-Bigband-meets-Ensemble-Modern-drittes-Konzert,ensemblemodern138.html

Fr, 25.04.2025 | 20 Uhr - Hamburg, Rolf-Liebermann-Studio (Oberstraße 120)

"#Frisch poliert"

Ensemble Modern
Jonathan Stockhammer (cond) -  Ensemble Modern
Geir Lysne (cond) - NDR Bigband

FRANK ZAPPA - Hot Licks (And Funny Smells), Colin Towns (arr)
IANNIS XENAKIS - "Anaktoria"
ANTON WEBERN - Sinfonie op. 21
EDGARD VARÈSE - "Octandre"
KARLHEINZ STOCKHAUSEN -"Gesang der Jünglinge"

Sa, 26.04.2025 | 20 Uhr - Hamburg, Rolf-Liebermann-Studio (Oberstraße 120)

"#Uraufgeführt"

Ensemble Modern
NDR Bigband
Jonathan Stockhammer (cond)

Werke von CARLA KIHLSTEDT, ALEX PAXTON, ALI N. ASKIN

So, 27.04.2025 | 20 Uhr - Hamburg, Rolf-Liebermann-Studio (Oberstraße 120)

"#ad hoc"

Ensemble Modern
NDR Bigband

DWEEZIL ZAPPA & THE METROPOLE ORKEST TO APPEAR AT THE BRIDGE FESTIVAL ON JUNE 1, 2025

Dweezil Zappa will be performing with the Metropole Orkest as part of the Bridge Guitar Festival in Eindhoven, NL, on June 1, 2025.


MOON ZAPPA - EARTH TO MOON - - - THE BOOKS

As far as I know, three editions of Moon's book have been published:

The US edition by  DEYST / Day Street Books;
The UK edition by White Rabbit Books;
The German edition by Heyne Verlag.

I wonder if other translations will follow.


-
-


MOON ZAPPA - EARTH TO MOON, A MEMOIR

Did I mention that Moon Zappa's "Earth To Moon" audio book was also released as an mp3-CD album? 
Read by Moon.


MATT DEMELLO - THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE NOWHERE: TEN YEARS LATER

Matt DeMello just released "There's No Place Like Nowhere: Ten Years Later", a remastered version of his debut album / demo.
Check out the final six tracks. These are the remastered versions.


Tuesday, November 19, 2024

MAGMA CONCERT IN BRUSSELS ON MARCH 5, 2024

Magma, the French cult rock band, is coming to the Royal Circus in Brussels, BE, on 5 March.

Progressive rock band Magma will be on stage at the Royal Circus in Brussels on Wednesday 5 March. Since their inception in 1969, the French band has achieved cult status worldwide. After more than five decades, they continue to impress with adventurous live performances.


CO DE KLOET TALKS ABOUT JOE'S GARAGE ON BELGIAN NATIONAL RADIO

Dutch radio show host and producer Co de Kloet discussed Frank Zappa's "Joe's Garage" on Belgian national radio today, during the "Classic Stories" radio show.

https://www.vrt.be/vrtmax/luister/radio/c/classic-stories~11-74/classic-stories~11-28650-0/fragment~d34be662-760e-4f4e-a64d-dcd96be65120/ 


ACID MOTHERS TEMPLE - STARLESS AND BIBLE BLACK SABBATH

  • acid mothers temple: starless and bible black sabbath
        (2024, download, --, bandcamp)
Kawabata Makoto's Acid Mothers Temple released "Starless and Bible Black Sabbath" in 2006.
A CD release with two tracks: the 34-minute psychedelic trip called 'Starless And Bible Black Sabbath', plus the spacy 6-minute 'Woman From Hell'.

Earlier this month, the album got rereleased on vinyl. Limited editions on green and splatter vinyl.
Two tracks: 'Starless And Bible Black Sabbath (Part 1) / Woman From Hell' on side A, and 'Starless And Bible Black Sabbath (Part 2)' on side B.

The digital download Bandcamp version offers the two tracks as three separate, additional tracks: 'Part 1', 'Part 2', and 'Woman From Hell'.
Does that imply that 'Part 2' is just repeated? Well, maybe. I haven't figured that out yet.

Fun?
Sure !!  Love it.


-- info: Philippe Lamoot

DWIKI DHARMAWAN - RUMAH BATU

  • Dwiki Dharmawan: Rumah Batu
        (2018, cd, USA, moonjune records)
Indonesian jazz keyboardist and composer Dwiki Dharmawan has released several albums on the MoonJune Records label, one of his most recent ones being "Rumah Battu" from 2018.

Jazz with traditional Indonesian elements.
I'm happy with my CD copy, but the album has also been released as a 2 LP set.

Featuring
  • DWIKI DHARMAWAN acoustic piano
  • NGUYÊN LÊ electric guitar, soundscapes
  • CARLES BENAVENT bass guitar
  • YARON STAVI upright bass
  • ASAF SIRKIS drums


ALAIN DE FILIPPIS

Experimental sounds and collages.
Influenced by Edgard Varèse, Frank Zappa, and The Residents.

Contemporary Musique Concrète.

Here's "Musicien Improbable", including Robert Wyatt and Alain De Filippis' 'Héli Plop".

From "De Mémoire D'Os"


Monday, November 18, 2024

LA SOCIETE DES TIMIDES A LA PARADE DES OISEAUX - LES LIQUIDATEURS

  • La Société des Timides à la Parade des Oiseaux: Les Liquidateurs
        (2015, lp, France, in-poly-sons)
My latest musical discovery, La STPO, released "Les Liquidateurs" in 2015.
Exciting music, packed in a silk-screened fold-out sleeve by none other than graphic artist Pakito Bolino (check out Pakito's "Le Dernier Cri" website).

Released on the In-Poly-Sons label, http://inpolysons.free.fr/, home of experimental music.


GERD DUDEK & MICHAEL MIKOLASCHEK - THE ART OF DUO

  • Gerd Dudek & Michael Mikolaschek: The Art Of Duo
        (2004, cd, Germany, laika records)
Jazz saxophone player Gerd Dudek and pianist Michael Mikolaschek recorded the adventurous "The Art Of Duo" album about twenty years ago.
Original pieces next to music by Monk and by Bill Evans, but also three pieces by Bela Bartok.

Lovely.



CARA ROCKMORE WITH NADIA REISENBERG - THEREMIN

  • Clara Rockmore With Nadia Reisenberg: Theremin
        (1977, lp, USA, delos)
Wowie Zowie...
What a surprise.

I received a digital download of Clara Rockmore's "Theremin" album and I was completely blown away.
Is this a theremin? It sounds like a voice. Especially in the higher register.
This is great !!

Official reissue of the 1977 album of Clara Rockmore’s stunning theremin performances of various classical compositions, accompanied by her sister Nadia Reisenberg on piano. Includes gorgeous interpretations of pieces by Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, Ravel and more. An all time classic classical album, finally back in print.

Rockmore was a violin child prodigy with training at the Imperial Conservatory in St. Petersberg. A refugee of the Russian Revolution, she arrived in New York with her family in 1921, and soon after met Professor Lev Sergeyevich Termen, inventor of the remarkable theremin, one of the first electronic instruments in existence.

Rockmore stunned crowds by playing music both highly technical and emotionally intense, all without ever touching her instrument. Her work represented the cutting edge of electronic music, inspiring a generation of innovators (including Bob Moog, who co-produced this record). On her custom built theremin, Rockmore channeled deep human emotion through an electronic device for the first time.


Sunday, November 17, 2024

Saturday, November 16, 2024

MONONEON TOURDATES

MonoNeon is touring Europe with dates in Antwerp, Amsterdam, Tilburg, London, Paris,...

https://www.mononeon.com/tour-dates


A NEW PIECE BY EIDON

Eidon mentioned Frank Zappa in the liner notes of his latest piece, 'Bachianas Bariseiras'.
Out on  Bandcamp.


KURT VAN HERCK, JACQUES PIROTTON, MIMI VERDERAME - LE MARIAGE

  • Kurt Van Herck, Jacques Pirotton, Mimi Verderame: Le Mariage
        (2006, cd, Belgium, private release)
On "Le Mariage", Kurt Van Herck (sax), Jacques Pirotton (guitar), and Mimi Verderame (drums) perform the music of Karl Van Deun.
From 2006, but still breathtaking.

Kurt Van Herck is a teacher at the Antwerp jazz conservatory. He's also a member of the Brussels Jazz Orchestra.
Together with Jacques Pirotton and Mimi Verderame, he recorded the music of Belgian jazz guitar player Karl Van Deun. Due to hearing problems, Karl had to stop playing the guitar, but he kept on composing.
"Le Mariage" presents a beautiful selection of Karl's tunes, 



CORRIE VAN BINSBERGEN RECEIVED THE BUMA CLASSICAL AWARD 2024

An interview (in the Dutch language):

https://newmusicnow.nl/verken/article/corrie-van-binsbergen-wint-buma-classical-award


A recent composition by Corrie:


MARK WINGFIELD - TALES FROM THE DREAMING CITY

  • Mark Wingfield: Tales From The Dreaming City
        (2018, cd, USA, moonjune records)
From 2018.
I was familiar with the music as I had a download of this album on my computer's hard drive, but as I recently bought a CD copy, I thought I'd mention this fine album again.

"Tales From The Dreaming City".
Instrumental fusion with an emphasis on the melodies.
Performed by Mark Wingfield on guitar, Yaron Stavi on bass, and Asaf Sirkis on drums, plus special guest Dominique Vantomme.

I like it a lot.

Here's 'The Green-Faced Timekeepers', the final track on the album:



15 QUESTIONS INTERVIEW WITH BELEDO

On Tobias Fischer's "15 Questions" website: an interview with Beledo.

https://15questions.net/interview/bele-beledo-about-directions-jazz/page-1/


VARIOUS ARTISTS - BEST OF KLASSIK 2004

  • Various Artists: Best Of Klassik 2004
        (2004, cd, Austria, sony classical)
The “Best Of Klassik 2004” sampler included The Ensemble Modern performing FZ’s ‘Peaches En Regalia’, taken from their (2004) “Ensemble Modern Plays Frank Zappa” album.

Another fine addition to The Others Of Invention.

-- info: Hans-Peter Schmidt

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

AN UPDATE FROM CHATO

a message from Chato :

Hi,
a little special concert announcement:

Frank Zappa's movie 200 Motels, and right after that, a concert of my band

Am Sonntag, 17.11.24, gibt's was besonderes, denn im Casablanca im Nürnberg wird nicht nur Zappas Film "200 Motels" gezeigt, es spielt sogar nach dem Film noch meine Band ZAPPED, also das Rundum-Sorglospaket für Zappa-Fans Der Film startet um 19 Uhr, Konzert direkt danach im gleichen Saal

Reserviert euch lieber ein Ticket auf der Casablanca Seite, gibt nur noch paar Plätze

News about my new album:

Everything is mixed, now it only needs a mastering. I sooo wanna release it before Xmas, but I have to wait for the master. I will make a pre-order very soon. Remember: It will be here first as download-only, then when my 2nd album is ready, I will release 'em both on 1 disc.
Meanwhile: If you haven't already, check out the latest single LAWINEEE!!! from this new album.


LAZULI CONCERT DATES

LAZULI 

NEXT CONCERTS
  • 07. 03. 2025 – FUSION Festival – Stourport (UNITED KINGDOM)
  • 08. 03. 2025 – Neuadd Ogwen – Bethesda (UNITED KINGDOM)
  • 09. 03. 2025 – Sound House – Dublin (IRELAND)
  • 11. 03. 2025 – Local Authority – Sheffield (UNITED KINGDOM)
  • 12. 03. 2025 – Half Moon – Putney (UNITED KINGDOM)
  • 13. 03. 2025 – 1865 – Southampton (UNITED KINGDOM)
  • 14. 03. 2025 – Trading Boundaries – Fletching (UNITED KINGDOM)
  • 16. 03. 2025 – Sudbury Arts Centre – Sudbury (UNITED KINGDOM)
  • 20. 03. 2025 - Gebläsehalle – Neunkirchen (GERMANY)
  • 21. 03. 2025 - Rathaushalle – Haßfurt (GERMANY)
  • 22. 03. 2025 - PaderHalle – FESTIVAL – Paderborn (GERMANY)
  • 12. 04. 2025 - Casino De Paris – Lazuli guest for MARILLION (FRANCE)


FRANK ZAPPA ON THE COVER OF THE ITALIAN "CLASSIC ROCK" MAGAZINE

December 2024



DWIKI DHARMAWAN - SO FAR SO CLOSE

  • Dwiki Dharmawan: So Far So Close
        (2015, cd, USA, moonjune records)
Indonesian's jazz keyboard player and composer Dwiki Dharmawan's "So Far So Close" album got released in 2015.
Next to Jimmy Haslip on bass, Dewa Budjana and Tohpati on guitar, and Jerry Goodman on violin, the album also features Chad Wackerman. On the drums.

Dwiki Dharmawan has several albums out on the MoonJune Records label, but "So Far So Close" was his first album for Leonardo Pavkovic's MJR label.
Recommended listening.


Tuesday, November 12, 2024

ALLAN HOLDSWORTH - FLAT TIRE - MUSIC FOR A NON-EXISTENT MOVIE

  • Allan Holdsworth: Flat Tire - Music For A Non-Existent Movie
        (2013, cd, USA, moonjune records)
Moonjune records' re-release of Allan Holdsworth 2001 "Flat Tire" album comes in a fold-out cardboard cover.
SynthAxe (synthesizer guitar) and drum grooves.
Hard to imagine that this is played on a guitar, but it sounds amazing.


Monday, November 11, 2024

TO YO - STRAY BIRDS FROM THE FAR EAST

  • Tō Yō: Stray Birds From The Far East
        (2023, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)
I'm assuming that the title of  Tō Yō's 2023 album, "Stray Birds From The Far East" refers to Rabindranath Tagore's "Stray Birds" collection of poems.

If so, it cannot be a coincidence that I received this beautiful music on this very day, November 11, Remembrance Day.
Let's enjoy the beautiful things in life and in nature and let's hope that the future will bring peace again.

"Stray Birds From The Far East" is a celebration. Bandcamp calls it:
Psych from Tokyo's Underground.
Chill acid world vibes.

I can only tell you that I enjoy it a lot.
Check it out: