HIMMELAYA - LOST HORIZON

• Himmelaya: Lost Horizon
      (2025, 2lp, UK, fruits de mer)

Time to take a trip to ‘Himmelaya’ – a new name, a new album (‘Lost Horizon’), a new collaboration between Astralasia’s Swordfish and friends - think motorik rhythms meet spoken word, kosmische meets krautrock.
A huge project (spanning two LPs and a bonus double CD of extra tracks, alternative mixes and remixes that comes with every set) that has taken a long time to come together, with everyone contributing from their respective countries.

Over to Swordfish to explain things…
‘Himmelaya’ started with Jochen Oberlack (the man behind Bellerophon Records in Dusseldorf) getting in touch through Fruits de Mer. Initially it was going to be a purely instrumental project, but I wanted it to be more like classic era Ash Ra Tempel with Rosi from the 70s, something a little bit more.
Britt Rönnholm from the Swedish duo Us and Them (also Fruits de Mer Records regulars) was suggested to provide spoken vocals; it was well out of her normal comfort zone, but we both loved her voice, so it was all systems go.
Although essentially a three-piece project, we have been blessed with friends’ and bandmates’ contributions, plus some bonus CD remixes by other artists, including nick nicely, Schizo Fun Addict and the Lost Stoned Pandas.

And a fine album it is.
Solid drumming, nice guitar riffs, spacy keyboard lines and a beautiful narrative voice.
An excellent mixture for a fine musical journey.

https://www.fruitsdemerrecords.com/himmelaya.html

Here's 'Black Forest':

And 'Nimbus Thitherward', one of the more meditative pieces, :

STICK MEN TOUR DATES

STICK MEN
Tour Dates – July 2025

TOMNY LEVIN - Chapman stick
MARKUS REUTER - Touch Guitar
PAT MASTELOTTO - drums, electronics

July 11 – Los Angeles, CA (The Baked Potato)
July 12 – Los Angeles, CA (The Baked Potato)
July 13 – Los Angeles, CA (The Baked Potato)
July 15 – San Marcos, CA (The Bornemann Theater)
July 17 – Stockton, CA (The Haggin Museum)
July 18 – Fresno, CA (Frank’s Place)
July 19 – Santa Cruz, CA (UCSC Music Center Recital Hall)
July 20 – Petaluma, CA (Mystic Theatre)
July 23 – Arcata, CA (Playhouse Arts)
July 25 – Eugene, OR (WOW Hall)
July 26 – Corvallis, OR (Whiteside Theatre)
July 27 – Portland, OR (Star Theater)
July 29 – Vancouver, BC, Canada (Rickshaw Theatre)
July 30 – Seattle, WA (The Triple Door)

Tickets are available now via the band’s official website:
www.stickmenband.com

ZAPPA - SOLID GOLD - LIVE ON AIR

• Zappa: Solid Gold - Live On Air
      (2016, 2cd, --, store for music sfmbcd006)

Another radio show album.

Released almost ten years ago, "Solid Gold - Live On Air" presented recordings from Frank Zappa's Saturday Night Live shows, as well as concert fragments from 1977 and 1981.

2 CD set. Nice package. I wonder why I hadn't come across this one before.

 

MOON ZAPPA'S BOOK AVAILABLE IN ITALIAN

Moon Zappa's recent book has been translated in Italian.
It's the one on the left.

Other recent finds include the Italian version of Barry Miles' book on Frank Zappa (from 2006), and Gary Lucas "Touched By Grace".

THE DIABLO SWING ORCHESTRA

Stockholm-based avant-garde metal band Diablo Swing Orchestra has released at least 5 albums.
Check them out !

SLEEPYTIME GORILLA MUSEUM - IN GLORIOUS TIMES

• Sleepytime Gorilla Museum: In Glorious Times
       (2007, cd, --, the end records / equilibre music / mals)

I recently found a CD copy of Sleeptime Gorilla Museum's 2007 "In Glorious Times".
The album did get re-released as a 2 LP set in 2016, but this one will fit fine next to the other SGM CD's.

SGM is a museum you must visit !
Great music / amazing artwork.
Also on Bandcamp.

ANTHONY JOSEPH LANMAN'S TRIBUTE TO FRANK ZAPPA ALSO OUT ON CD

Anthony Joseph Lanman's "Hommages" album includes a tribute to Frank Zappa.
The album has just been released and next to the vinyl and the digital download version, a CD version has been added.

NEW ALBUM BY JAKKO M JAKSZYK

Jakko M. Jakszyk, who toured and recorded with King Crimson, has a new album out.

THE NEW POWER GENERATION - GOLD NIGGA

• The New Power Generation: Gold Nigga
       (1993, cd, USA, new power generation)
  

Originally released in 1993 and pretty hard to find: The New Power Generation's first album.
A collaboration between Prince and his backing band.
(Fortunately) for those who want to get hold of an actual CD, it got counterfeited earlier this year (on the L4OA label).

CORRIE VAN BINSBERGEN TO PERFORM WITH HET WISSELEND TOONKWINTET

Toon Tellegen en het Wisselend Toonkwintet will be performing in Rozendaal (near Arnhem, NL) on Friday, July 4, 2025.

(not Roosendaal near Antwerp, BE !!)

open air concert with

• Toon Tellegen - narrator
• Corrie van Binsbergen - guitar
• Joost Buis - trombone and lap steel
• Albert van Veenendaal - piano
• Hein Offermans - bass
• Alan ‘Gunga’ Purves - percussion

https://dezoomerij.op-shop.nl/9804/toon-tellegen-en-het-wisselend-toonkwintet-spelen-god-onder-de-mensen/04-07-2025

EIDON - MICROSONATINA IV

A new piece by Eidon: 'Microsonatina IV'

ARTHUR BARROW - THE SHIFT

Former Frank Zappa bass player (and clonemeister) Arthur Barrow has just released 'The Shift' through Bandcamp.
The piece features none other than Chad Wackerman on drums.

L' ORCHESTRA TOUT PUISSANT MARCEL DUCHAMP & FRANCOIS AND THE ATLAS MOUNTAINS

L'Orchestre Tout Puissant Marcel Duchamp teamed up with Bristol-based Frànçois and the Atlas Mountains.
A first single has been announced.
To be released in August.
On the Bongo Joe record label.

"Revenant Du Nord / Siilent"

THAT'LL BE THE DAY... ANOTHER RESIDENTS UPDATE

The latest newsletter from our friends at New Ralph Too arrived.
It included a link to the 'That'll Be The Day' demo.

Behold! The latest offering from the now shared desk of The Cryptic Corporation and New Ralph Too.

You may have heard by now that The Residents debuted their full-length 'Eskimo' live show at The Mayan Theatre in L.A. a few weeks ago - YouTube is full of footage, should you want to spoil the surprise for yourself.

The guys were delighted with how it all went, and unveiled two new pieces of 'Eskimo' music in 'The Tale Of Two Tupilaqs' and 'The Skeleton Under The Sea'. For the seriously SERIOUSLY hardcore fans, there were also some real golden oldies, such as 'James Dean's Death' and 'Kamikaze Lady' alongside material from the recent, blink and you missed it 'Dookietown' EP. What a night! And you'll be pleased to hear The Residents' army of booking agents and promoters are busily piecing together a world tour of the whole thing, which is sure to swallow up the lives of everybody involved for months and months. More news on dates and details as they come in.
In the meantime, the latest offering in the universally acclaimed, critically criticised and multi award-winning pREServed reissue campaign has arrived - the 'American Composers Series' 3CD set is out now, featuring the usual wealth of unreleased material, demos, alternate mixes and so on. Unfortunately, it doesn't include material the guys never actually recorded, which is always irritating. But you may still enjoy it - everything you need to know is RIGHT HERE.

Elsewhere, The Residents are taking the opportunity to fill the time before the 'Eskimo' tour takes shape to complete the next new album, which has been a while in the making (overlapping with the end of the 'Doctor Dark' production) and is currently called.... I really wish we could tell you, but we don't need another Uncle Willie, 'Trouble With Harrys' situation. Not yet, anyway. But everything we've heard so far is remarkable.

There are also the usual stream of ideas floating around somewhere near the "projects to realise/complete pile". Something called 'Loveland', another project based around material recorded for last year's Paris performance, ongoing efforts to somehow free and release the Pee Wee's Playhouse recordings and on and on it goes. As ever, you'll be the first to know.

For now, though, please content your burning desire to hear all of these yet to be completed projects with an offering direct from the aforementioned 'American Composers Series' pREServed release. One afternoon back in the mid-80s, The Residents sketched out a rough arrangement of 'That'll Be The Day', the Buddy Holly song, with half an idea that it might fit somewhere in the 'American Composers Series' body of work. In the event, it didn't, but please download and take a listen to that demo, complete with rather lovely backing vocals and questionable guitar playing. 
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/wpwf2lvyfm1vrbuqdlz4z/That-ll-Be-The-Day-Demo.mp3
And if you like that, well the 'American Composers Series' 3CD set may be your kind of thing. If not, probably don't bother.

https://cherryred.co/ResidentsACS

And that's all for now pals,
Much love,
All @ New Ralph Too

FRANK ZAPPA - CHEAPER THAN CHEEP

Online orders through Zappa dot com, Universal or affiliates were shipped about about a month ago already, but Frank Zappa's "Cheaper Than Cheep" has finally hit the record stores.

Lots of different editions to choose from:

- 2 CD + blu-ray
- 3 LP
- 3 LP picture disc + 2 CD + blu-ray
- 3 LP + 2 CD + blu-ray
- 2 SHM CD + blu-ray (Japan)

ZAPPOSTROPHE 154

Issue number 154 of Zappostrophe, the Czech Frank Zappa Fanzine is out.
The cover artwork is from Adam Rooney, taken from

https://elrooneyoillustrations.tumblr.com/archive

PRINCE, AND MORE

Checking out the Prince discography the other day, I noticed some releases that I wasn't aware of.
Time for some catching up.

• Various Artists: 1-800 New Funk
      (1994, cd, USA, npg records)

Most of the songs written and arranged by Prince.
Feat. George Clinton, Prince, the N.P.G., Madhouse…
Great stuff.

• The New Power Generation: Exodus
      (1995, cd, USA, npg records)

NPG was Prince's backing band for quite a number of years.
The "Exodus" album was NPG's second album. It has Prince's signature all over it.
Pure funk.

• The Artist (Formerly Known As Prince): Rave Un2 The Year 2000
      (2000, dvd, --, eagle vision)

A 1999 Paisley Park concert that got released on DVD in 2000 to support the release of "Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic".
It's all over YouTube, but it's great to see and hear it perfect quality.
Party time with Larry Graham, Lenny Kravitz, Maceo Parker,...

JETHRO TULL - LIVE FROM BALOISE SESSION

Jethro Tull fans will be happy to learn that there's a new album out:

"Live From Baloise Session", a 2 CD set, recorded in Basel, Switzerland, 15/11/2008.

Initially, I thought this was a radio show release, but that's not the case.
"Live From Baloise Session" is an official release, previously only available on DVD.

-- info & additional data: Danny Mathys

RENATA PRZEMYK - YA HOZNA

• Renata Przemyk: Ya Hozna
      (1995, cd, Poland, mjm music)

It may seem a bit freaky, but those of you who follow this blog a bit, will probably know that I like to investigate bands and artists that do something with Frank Zappa's music. Be it on LP, CD, cassette or even when made available through digital music channels.
I also try to keep an eye out for the different versions that get released...

Originally released in 1990 as an LP by Polish band Ya Hozna (with Renata Przemyk on lead vocals), the album got rereleased several times, credited to Renata Przemyk. The album included ‘Tortury’, a track that was inspired by FZ’s ‘The Torture Never Stops’.
The album got a first CD release in 1991.

The remastered version came out in 1995.

SATCHVAI BAND ON TOUR

Wowie zowie.
Saw the band in Antwerp yesterday.
One of the best shows I've ever seen. From any artist. Period.

Catch them if you can.

https://www.satchvaiband.com/

ED PALERMO BIG BAND TO PERFORM AT THE IRIDIUM ON JULY 28

Ed Palermo:
When you think you hooked up with the lead guitarist but wake up with the tuba player. 😞 Watch it all unfold at New York City’s landmark jazz club the Iridium on Broadway. 

tickets: theiridium.com

MINT DOUCHE AT THE ALMA STREET FAIR

Mint Douche at Alma Street Fair.
London, UK, a couple of days ago.

 

EIVIND LORENTZEN - LEAVE NOBODY BEHIND

Composer, guitar and synthesizer player Eivind Lorentzen has just released "Leave Nobody Behind".

New album LEAVE NOBODY BEHIND by LORENTZEN just out on APOLLON PROG RECORDS - An Evocative Fusion of Minimalist Prog and Classical Elegance interspersed with Rainer Maria Rilke’s poetry.

A roster of great contributors come together in this project including Atle Pakusch Gundersen (Wintherstormer, The Cut), Trond Gjellum (Panzerpappa), Jácome Guerrero Kiko (Superkabras), Paulin Skoglund-Voss (sought after solo cellist and session musician), Markus Reuter (Stick Men), Davide Rossi (violin for Coldplay, Verve and many others) and Charlotte Valstad Nilsen (ex Gentle Knife). The album was mostly recorded in Lydkjøkkenet by Øystein Vesaas and in Double Decker Studios by Arild Brøter. Mastering by Jacob Holm-Lupo. Cover design by Siv Gade Lien Additional artwork by Susanne Hæstad.

Quiet and peaceful.
More soothing than the music that I normally listen to, but it's a fine album.
Interspersed with pieces of poetry, which is nice but it does interrupt the flow of the music.
Still, a fine album and worth checking out:

THE RESIDENTS' "AMERICAN COMPOSER'S SERIES" IS OUT

The Residents' "American Composer’s Series", the 3CD pREServed Edition is out.
I haven't received my copy yet, but I can't wait to dive into this.

• The Residents: American Composer's Series
      (2025, 3cd, UK, cherry red)

 

NEW SUN RA ALBUM

• Sun Ra: Stray Voltage
      (2025, 2cd, USA, modern harmonic)

Announced for June 27.

TWO NEW BANDCAMP RELEASES BY MEN & VOLTS

Good news from Men & Volts as they have released two new  albums through Bandcamp.

-

MARY HALVERSON - ABOUT GHOSTS

• Mary Halverson: About Ghosts
      (2025, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)

Out on LP, on CD, and available through digital music platforms, "About Ghosts" presents 8 long, rich and beautiful modern jazz pieces.

Mary Halverson on guitar, plus Adam O'Farrill on trumpet, Jacob Garchik on trombone, Nick Dunston on bass, Tomas Fujiwara on drums, and Patricia Brennan on vibes.

Beautiful.

-- info: Danny Mathys

CAPTAIN BEEFHEART AND HIS MAGIC BAND(S), A BOOK BY BENOIT DELAUNE

• Benoit Delaune: Captain Beefheart And His Magic Band(s)
      (2011, book, France, le mot et le reste)

A brilliant con artist, a tyrannical leader, a monstrous singer... There are many rumours and legends surrounding the artist known as Captain Beefheart. A school friend of Frank Zappa, Captain Beefheart surrounded himself with the many often anonymous but brilliant musicians of his “Magic Band”, creating a complex music of polyrhythms and polytonalities, based on deconstructed blues, from 1967 to 1982, in just fifteen years and a handful of albums. Many musicians continue to claim the name of this essential artist, who died in December 2010. This book describes the constant creative paradoxes of Captain Beefheart And His Magic Band(s), between quasi-sectarian excesses, visionary integrity, commercial failures and music of total freedom.

From 2011.
150 pages. Soft-cover. In French.
I've only read a few chapters and it's quite interesting.

NEIL YOUNG AND THE CHROME HEARTS - TALKIN TO THE TREES

• Neil Young And The Chrome Hearts: Talkin To The Trees
      (2025, cd, --,  reprise)

Some things never change but that's not necessarily bad.
Neil Young's latest release, "Talkin To The Trees" is a good example.

A mix of ballads and rock songs in his typical grumpy way.
It's exactly what I thought it would be: a fine record.

-- info: Danny Mathys

SERGE DUTFOY

There's already an entry for illustrator Serge Dutfoy on the United Mutations Archives, but here is some additional Zappa-related “artwork” by Dutfoy. 

Pictured below is a poster Dutfoy designed for Rock “n” Folk magazine.

And here's the mention about Frank Zappa from his comic history book “Histoire du Rock en B.D.”, not only depicting Zappa and Pierre Boulez, but also showing references to the albums “200 Motels” and “Waka/Jawaka”.

-- info: Kjell Knudde

MICHAEL BRECKER BAND - THE COST OF LIVING

• Michael Brecker Band: The Cost Of Living
      (1994, cd, Germany, jazz door)

Michael Brecker's "The Cost Of Living" features Joey Calderazzo on piano, Adam Nussbaum on drums, and none other than Jay Anderson on electric bass.

As you probably know, Jay Anderson provided bass on Frank Zappa's "Thing-Fish", but he also did the (at the time much debated) overdubs on the "Cruising With Ruben & The Jets".

Here's the quartet, recorded live:

SHAWN LANE

Shawn Lane - Watermelon In Easter Hay (Frank Zappa)

The late Shawn Lane, who recorded with Richard Hallebeek among others, performing 'Watermelon In Easter Hay' in a noisy (what else to expect) pub in Amsterdam, NL.

-- info: Dirk Verschaeve

NEW BOOKS ON THE SHELF...

 Recent arrivals.

• 2012 - zappa (barry miles) - zweitausendeins, German edition, 3rd print 
• 2023 - a nessuno frega un cazzo se siamo grandi musicisti (marco fraquelli), in Italian
• 2024 - essere frank zappa (michele monina) - diarkos, in Italian
• 2024 - earth to moon, a memoir (moon unit zappa) - usa, white rabbit

MONIKA ROSCHER BIGBAND

a message from the Monika Roscher Bigband

Dear friends,

Our new live album Witchy Activities – Live is out now! :)

If you'd like, you can get the vinyl or CD on our homepage or on Bandcamp. We're also really excited to be back on tour this year!

https://www.monikaroscher.com/

https://monikaroscher.bandcamp.com/merch

ON THE BUS... WITH ROBERT MARTIN

UK Zappa tribute band Treacherous Cretins just added a Robert Martin interview to YouTube:

While clocking a lot of miles on our 2025 tour, we turned our tour van into a mobile interview lounge for a special ‘Ask Robert’ Q&A session.

Thanks to everyone in our WhatsApp group who sent in questions. Robert dove into tales from the road with FZ, the legendary '88 Band, jazz noises, and his work with icons like Etta James and Stevie Nicks.

It’s candid, insightful, and full of stories only Robert can tell.

CARAVAN 10 LP BOX SET ANNOUNCED

MADFISH PROUDLY PRESENTS CARAVAN – THE SHOWS OF OURS…LIVE
(To be released on the 22nd of August)

A 10LP ARCHIVAL BOXSET OF FIRST-TIME TO VINYL CARAVAN PERFORMANCES

INCLUDES 4 PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED CONCERT RECORDINGS PLUS 60-PAGE COLLECTOR’S BOOK WITH PHOTOGRAPHS, EPHEMERA, AND FIRST-HAND BAND REFLECTIONS

Madfish are proud to present the new 10LP boxset from progressive rock pioneers Caravan. Titled The Shows Of Ours…Live, the new set includes 10LP’s of iconic Caravan performances from the band’s live peak with 4 previously unreleased concerts – Keele University 1976, Bobino 1980, Diss 1998 and Wavendon 2001. Completing the set is a beautiful 60-page collector’s book with previously unseen photographs and contributions from the band.

 

RICK LABAN IS RELEASING ZAPPA MUSIC ON BANDCAMP

Rick Laban is releasing more Zappa music on Bandcamp.
No cover versions, renditions or re-arrangements, but collages of different versions (performed by FZ & The Mothers Of Invention).

Last week, he released live recordings of the tracks that can be found on the "Fillmore East" album.
This latest release now offers sort of collages of a lot of other tunes.

As he explains it:

Each track in this collection features a Zappa song starting with its beginnings from inception to its most developed and altered performance states--In one track!

Starting with either a demo or the original album version, then neatly spliced to an early live rendition and then to a later band version and in some cases even a later cover version. I picked the songs that had the most interesting developmental changes of arrangement over time.

Each track takes you on a journey thru different bands, and arrangement concepts. It will take multiple listens to discern all the fascinating arrangement developments that occurred over time, and through different band members.

THE GALLANDS

YouTube recommended that I would listen to The Gallands again.
Can't argue with that.

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

I want more...

 

KIMONO DRAGGIN' IS BACK !!

Kimono Draggin' presents one of their favorite tracks off their yet to be released 7th studio recording, I Can't Believe It's Not Music. Dark Crystal Ship takes listeners on a cosmic journey through a world where not everything is as is it seems.

If you'd like to be a part of helping Kimono release their latest album, follow the link below to our crowd-sourcing page. There are several tiers of rewards and special content for those who pledge. Thanks for your help!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kimonodraggin/kimono-draggin-i-cant-believe-its-not-music

Kimono Draggin' - Dark Crystal Ship

A NEW PIECE BY EIDON

'Thunderain II'
by Eidon

JEROEN VAN HERZEELE & STEPHANE GALLAND - SONGSHAN

• Jeroen Van Herzeele & Stéphane Galland: Songshan
      (2025, cd, The Netherlands, challenge records)

And a fabulous album it is !!
Jeroen Van Herzeele on saxes, modular synths and EWI, and Stéphane Galland on drums.

AMAZING !!
Recommended listening.

https://www.challengerecords.com/products/17410860886649/songshan

RADIO SHOW ALBUMS ON BANDCAMP ??

A couple of days ago, Rick Laban released a collection of tracks by Frank Zappa & The Mothers on his bandcamp page.
He took the "Fillmore East" track list and replaced each song by another live version.

Mothers-NOT Live at the Fillmore '71 is a collection of the SAME track list of the original seminal Fillmore album, in the same order, by the same core band, except that all the songs are different takes from different shows in different places. This recording is intended to give the listener the sense that they are hearing the same show, in the same time period, but perhaps at a different tour stop. 

I like the idea.
I did not like the fact that this being sold, that I had to pay to download this.

Will this be the new trend?
Releasing old Zappa / Mothers material in a semi-official way?

ED PALERMO BIG BAND AT THE FALCON 2025 06 14 (PARTIAL )VIDEO RECORDING

In a recent message, Ed Palermo said:
Our friend Glenn filmed some of our recent show at The Falcon. Check it out:

Ed Palermo Big Band "Live" @The Falcon, Marlboro NY. June 14, 2025
Celebrating Ed's 71st birthday.

• GOD ONLY KNOWS (Brian Wilson) WALTZ No. 2 (Shostakovich)
• THOSE WERE THE DAYS (Mary Hopkins)
• BLACK HOLE SUN/BODHISATTVA intro (Soundgarden, Steely Dan)
• LARK’S TONGUE IN ASPIC/RITE OF SPRING (King Crimson, Stravinsky)
• 1999/POUND FOR A BROWN ON THE BUS (Prince, Zappa)
• I WOULD DIE 4 U/G SPOT TORNADO (Prince, Zappa)
• FRAME BY FRAME (King Crimson)
• DANCE OF YOUTHS AND MAIDEN from Rite Of Spring
• 1999/POUND FOR A BROWN ON THE BUS reprise (Prince, Zappa)
• SOME SKUNK FUNK (Brecker Brothers)
• DANCE OF THE MAYA (Mahavishnu)

GOV'T MULE - - - THE SADDLE TOUR

Gov’t Mule is back on the road this fall as part of their ongoing 30th anniversary celebration. The Back In The Saddle Tour is the band’s first major run since February 2024, with headline shows, select co-headline dates with Tedeschi Trucks Band, and festival appearances across the East Coast and Midwest. The tour kicks off August 27 and runs through October 28, hitting 18 cities including Milwaukee, Columbus, Buffalo (with Big Sugar), Charleston, Fort Lauderdale, Raleigh, Virginia Beach, and Sidney, Maine (with moe. on the latter date). The new headlining shows will follow Gov’t Mule’s previously announced headlining date in Louisville on July 25th.

https://mule.net/tour

DWEEZIL ZAPPA - FATHER'S DAY BUNDLE

Dweezil Zappa has released a "Father's Day Bundle" (a 3-track download) though his website:

https://www.dweezilzappa.com/

Happy Father's Day to everyone out there! I have compiled a wonderful trio of songs for you as a special treat to celebrate the bond between fathers and their children. Over the years I have played all three of my dad's signature guitar songs as a way to keep my relationship alive with my dad. In this Trifecta collection, I have shared with you some of my best renditions both musically and from a sound recreation standpoint. Please enjoy!

1. Zoot Allures - Germany 2017
2. Black Napkins - Chicago 2008
3. Watermelon In Easter Hay - Atlanta 2017

 

THE BRECKER BROTHERS - HEAVY METAL BE-BOP

 After having recorded 6 albums for the Arista record label between 1975 and 1981, The Brecker Brothers released "Return Of The Brecker Brothers" in 1992 on the GRP record label.

Their best-known album on the Arista label most probably was "Heavy Metal Be-Bop". With Terry Bozzio on drums !
From 1978. And released on CD in 1990.

• The Brecker Brothers: Heavy Metal Be-Bop
      (1978, lp, USA, arista)
      (1990, cd, Japan, novus)

Here's a live version with the WDR Big Band.

ED PALERMO'S BIRTHDAY PARTY

a message from Ed Palermo, who celebrated his birthday with a concert at The Falcon:

SOMEONE LEFT MY CAKE OUT IN THE RAIN! You would cry, too, if it happened to you. On my birthday, no less! Thank you, Nina Hennessey for consoling me in front of two sold out shows at the Falcon or as I now call it, "The Church of Tony Falco".

The set list:

June 14, 2025-BIRTHDAY PARADE

• GOD ONLY KNOWS (Brian Wilson)
• WALTZ No. 2 (Shostakovich)
• THOSE WERE THE DAYS (Mary Hopkins)
• BLACK HOLE SUN/BODHISATTVA intro (Soundgarden, Steely Dan)
• LARK’S TONGUE IN ASPIC/RITE OF SPRING (King Crimson, Stravinsky)
• 1999/POUND FOR A BROWN ON THE BUS (Prince, Zappa)
• I WOULD DIE 4 U/G SPOT TORNADO (Prince, Zappa)
• FRAME BY FRAME (King Crimson)
• DANCE OF YOUTHS AND MAIDEN from Rite Of Spring
• 1999/POUND FOR A BROWN ON THE BUS reprise (Prince, Zappa)
• SOME SKUNK FUNK (Brecker Brothers)
• DANCE OF THE MAYA (Mahavishnu)
• FRED (Alan Holdsworth)
• RAMBLE ON (Led Zeppelin)
• WAKA JAWAKA (Zappa)
• 16 CANDLES (The Crests)
• 76 TROMBONES (Music Man)
• 99 LUFTBALLOONS (Nena)
• WHAT’S NEW IN BALTIMORE (Zappa)
• LONG DISTANCE RUNAROUND (Yes)
• NOBODY’S FAULT BUT MINE (Led Zeppelin)
• OH NO/MOGGIO (Zappa)
• ORANGE COUNTY LUMBER TRUCK (Zappa)
• WAKA JAWAJA reprise (Zappa)
• THOSE WERE THE DAYS reprise (Mary Hopkins)
  
  (encore)
• EVE OF DESTRUCTION/AIN’T THAT A KICK IN THE HEAD (Dean Martin, Barry Maguire)
• McARTHUR PARK snippet (Jimmy Webb)
• 99 TEARS (? and the Mysterians)
• WE ARE NOT ALONE (Zappa)

SCHEILA GONZALEZ JOINS AL YANKOWIC'S BAND

Scheila Gonzalez (from the Zappa Plays Zappa band) says:

I’ve been waiting to post for so long, that I almost forgot to post! 😂 I’m so incredibly excited to be joining the amazing "Weird Al" Yankovic and his amazing band on a summertime romp across the country (and Canada, too!). The adventure begins tonight!

Tour dates:

https://www.weirdal.com/tour/

GATO BARBIERI - RUBY, RUBY

• Gato Barbieri: Ruby, Ruby
      (1977, lp, Argentina, a&m)

Gato Barbieri's 1977 "Ruby, Ruby" album features Ian Underwood on a couple of tracks.
Also present are Alan Rubin and Tom Malone (both in the 1978 SNL band, Malone also on ZINY).

Jazz / saxophone.

'Nostalgia', with Ian Underwood.

-- info: Jan van Kemenade

NEW RELEASE BY EVIL DICK

The latest Evil Dick release is entitled "Impositions".
As always, it's a sonic adventure.

IDRIS ACKAMOOR ANKHESTRA - ARTISTIC BEING

The Idris Ackamoor Ankhestra, featuring Danny Glover and Rhodessa Jones, released "Artistic Being" for Record Store Day 2025.

Saxophone player and composer Idris Ackamoor has been making music since the early seventies (with The Pyramids - spiritual avant-garde afrojazz).

Actor Danny Glover and performer Rhodessa Jones are featured in the spoken word sections.

- info: Danny Mathys

PETER SIJNKE AND MARCEL KOOPMAN'S "PSYCHEDELICA"

Peter Sijnke and Marcel Koopman's book, "Psychedelica", is all about psychedelic music, introducing bands that are not that common.

I bought the book because it includes a detailed review of Captain Beefheart's "Trout Mask Replica" album, but there's lots of other interesting things to be discovered.
Nice.

Three main chapters: the US, the UK, and The Netherlands.

It kicks off with some US bands :

-
Pearls Before Swine

-
The Beacon Street Union

-
Ill Wind

-
Clear Light

A MESSAGE FROM PANZERBALLETT

Dear Panzerballerinas & Panzerballerinos,
After years of loud requests and gentle threats, we’ve finally given in:
💥 Hart Genossen von ABBA bis Zappa (2009) is now officially re-available – as a freshly pressed LP!

This re-release features all the original genre-crashing madness you didn’t know you needed:

Whether you're an audiophile, a collector, or just someone who enjoys confusing their neighbors – this vinyl is for you.

🎧 Order now – supplies are limited to 400.

But wait—there’s more math per minute:

🎁 Special Bundle Offer (until Sunday, June 15, 2025):

Get both LPs –
🔥 Hart Genossen von ABBA bis Zappa
🔥 Übercode Œuvre (released last week)
for just €55 (plus shipping)

👉PLACE ORDER HERE

https://panzerballett.de/product-category/lp/

Best wishes
Jan Z.

 

NEW SOUND LIBERATION ALBUM

The latest Sound Liberation album is called "Elegy".

Gene Pritsker adds:
The album is called 'Elegy' 13 extremely eclectic tracks, mostly of my music. All info is below, please check out the Sound!

Here are some samples:

 

BLUE MONTREUX

The Arista All Stars performed at the Montreux Jazz festival in 1978.
The quartet featured Mike Manieri (vibraphone), Michael Brecker (sax), Randy Brecker (trumpet), and Warren Bernhardt (piano), with guests Larry Coryell (guitar), Steve Khan (guitar), Tony Levin (bass), and Steve Jordan (drums).

Renaming the band Blue Montreux, the Arista record label released the recording on two separate albums (in 1979).

GRAND CENTRAL

German fusion band Grand Central is Jörg 'Doc' Heuser's project.
You should know Jörg, as he was part of German Frank Zappa tribute bands Sheik Yerbouti and The Grandsheiks. 

Grand Central has 4 albums out, and these are available from:
https://www.docheuser.de/grand.html

Check out the above mentioned website for some sound samples.

Excellent stuff.
What else do you expect from someone who names his publishing company Barking Munchkin Muzak.

• Grand Central: Zone Blue
      (2001, cd, Germany, purity records / barking munchkin music)
  
  

• Grand Central: Perilous Night
      (2007, cd, Germany, private release / barking munchkin muzak)
  
  

• Grand Central: Politics
      (2011, cd, Germany, private release / barking munchkin muzak)

• Grand Central: Deconstruction
     (2019, cd, Germany, private release / barking munchkin muzak)

A NEW PIECE BY EIDON

'Thunderain'
by Eidon

STICK MEN UPDATE

Stick Men West Coast Tour 2025

A couple new dates have been added to the West Coast tour.

Progressive rock powerhouse Stick Men—featuring Tony Levin, Pat Mastelotto, and Markus Reuter—are bringing their boundary-pushing live show to the West Coast this July. Known for their deep musical chemistry and jaw-dropping technical ability, the trio will deliver an unforgettable series of performances filled with bold improvisation and powerful compositions.

July 11 - Los Angeles, CA (The Baked Potato)
July 12 - Los Angeles, CA (The Baked Potato)
July 13 - Los Angeles, CA (The Baked Potato)
July 15 - San Marcos, CA (The Bornemann Theater)
July 17 - Stockton, CA (The Haggin Museum)
July 18 - Fresno, CA (Frank’s Place)
July 19 - Santa Cruz, CA (UCSC Music Center Recital Hall)
July 20 - Petaluma, CA (Mystic Theatre)
July 23 - Arcata, CA (Arcata Theater)
July 25 - Eugene, OR (WOW Hall)
July 27 - Portland, OR (Star Theater)
July 29 - Vancouver, BC (Rickshaw Theatre)
July 30 - Seattle, WA (The Triple Door)

For latest tour dates, tickets, and updates, visit:
👉 stickmenband.com/shows/

BRUSSELS CULTURAL VENUE FLAGEY TO HOST ARVO PÄRT FESTIVAL

October 8 to 11, 2025, Flagey will host an Arvo Pärt Festival.

In the course of a solitary and silent quest, Arvo Pärt forged a unique and timeless musical language, rooted in spirituality and nature. On the occasion of his 90th birthday, discover his works performed by renowned choirs and young Estonian artists.

https://www.flagey.be/nl/group/12821-arvo-part-festival

MOSAE ZAPPA UPDATE

Two bands have already been announced for the upcoming Mosae Zappa festival in Heerlen next November.

Orange Claw Hammer, performing the music of Captain Beefheart,
and
Heath.

https://mosaezappa.wordpress.com/

Here's a snippet from the Orange Claw Hammer appearance at Zappanale.
From two years ago.

And here's Heath with a clip from a couple of years ago, and I was told that they only got better.
Sounds very promising !!

ARJEN LUCASSEN ANNOUNCED A NEW ALBUM

Arjen Lucassen has just announced a new album.

Thirteen years after his last solo album, "Lost In The New Real", Arjen is back with a new solo release: "Songs No One Will Hear". True to his signature style, this album offers an eclectic blend of tracks, moving seamlessly from powerful, epic songs to lighter, more playful ones.

At its core, Songs No One Will Hear is bound by a profound concept: what would people do if they only had five months left to live because of an asteroid impact? Expect an emotional rollercoaster, delving into both the light and dark aspects of human nature.

 

BABAL - RUNNING IN THE GUTTER

British alternative / psychedelic rock band BABAL will be launching their 13th album at the Son Of Sardonicus festival on Saturday August 2nd, 2025.
(At the Cellar, Quay Street, Cardigan, SA43 1HU).

A limited release of 100 copies.

Advance copies will be available at the festival, but I was happy to get a sneak peek.

Expect gently undulating rhythms and a spacy approach.
I enjoyed all six tracks. They had a soothing effect. Especially the first pieces. Not that I desperately needed to be calmed, but it was an enjoyable sensation.

A fine album.
Got to mention the vocals as well. A perfect match.

• Karen Langley – vocals, arrangements
• Rob Williams – guitar, guitar synth, programming
• Jon Sharp – drums
  
  guests
• Paul Smith – acoustic bass
• Chris Gill - bass

DANDELION RECORDS / OZIT

Hard to get, rather expensive, and not always offering the best quality material, I lost track of the Dandelion Records / Ozit releases a while ago already.

One of the new releases focusses on the Bickershaw 1972 festival, with concert fragments from The Grateful Dead, Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band, and Brinsley Schwarz.

Vinyl release.

STEPHANE GALLAND & JEROEN VAN HERZEELE

Stéphane Galland and Jeroen Van Herzeele have recorded an album together.
Excellent news, as the two have been performing together on occasion, and with great response.
I saw them at the Ham Sessions festival in Ghent, BE, exactly one year ago.

The new album is called "Songshan", released on the Challenge Records label.

More info soon.

SLEEPYTIME GORILLA MUSEUM TO TOUR EUROPE

Sleepytime Gorilla Museum to tour Europe

And probably also

• Jul 26 - Würzburg, Germany - Immerhin
• Jul 27 - HERZBERG FESTIVAL, Germany

LARI BASILIO

Brazilian guitar player, songwriter and producer Lari Basilio plays instrumental rock music.
Lyrical, instrumental electric guitar tunes.

And she's terrific.
(She even has an Ibanez signature guitar, the LB1 !)

Here latest album features Vinnie Colaiuta on drums (check out the below video).

Here's her collaboration with Joe Satriani, '

Lari will be touring the USA and Europe later this year.

USA 2025

• Sep 19 Fri - Alvas Showroom @ 8:00 PM - San Pedro, CA, United States
• Sep 20 Sat - Alvas Showroom @ 8:00 PM - San Pedro, CA, United States
• Sep 24 Wed - City Winery Boston @ 7:30 PM - Boston, MA, United States
• Sep 25 Thu - StageOne at FTC @ 8:00 PM - Fairfield, CT, United States
• Sep 27 Sat - Iridium @ 8:30 PM - New York, NY, United States
• Sep 28 Sun - City Winery Philadelphia @ 7:30 PM - Philadelphia, PA, United States

EUROPE 2025

• Oct 9 Thu - Nevermind live music & drink @ 8:00 PM - Napoli, Italy
• Oct 10 Fri - Teatro Caio Melisso @ 8:00 PM - Spoleto, Italy
• Oct 11 Sat - CrossRoads Live Club @ 10:30 PM - Roma, Italy
• Oct 12 Sun - Bravo Caffè @ 8:00 PM - Bologna, Italy
• Oct 13 Mon - Legend Club @ 7:00 PM - Milano, Italy
• Oct 14 Tue - Bluesiana Rock Cafe Velden @ 8:00 PM - Velden Am Wörthersee, Austria
• Oct 15 Wed - Esoteric Pro Audio Teather @ 8:00 PM - Villafranca Di Verona, Italy
• Oct 16 Thu - Il Garibaldi / Milleventi @ 8:00 PM - Prato, Italy
• Oct 18 Sat - Athina Live @ 8:00 PM - Athens, Greece
• Oct 19 Sun - OFF Kultur @ 7:00 PM - Budapest, Hungary
• Oct 20 Mon - Szene @ 8:00 PM - Wien, Austria
• Oct 21 Tue - Blue Note @ 8:00 PM - Nové Mesto Nad Váhom, Slovakia
• Oct 22 Wed - Jazz Dock @ 8:00 PM - Prague, Czechia
• Oct 23 Thu - Spectrum @ 8:00 PM - Augsburg, Germany
• Oct 25 Sat - Gastegarage @ 8:00 PM - Osnabrück, Diocese, Germany
• Oct 26 Sun - Musiktheater Piano @ 8:00 PM - Dortmund, Germany
• Oct 27 Mon - Colos-Saal @ 8:00 PM - Aschaffenburg, Germany
• Oct 28 Tue - Theaterstübchen @ 8:00 PM - Kassel, Germany
• Oct 29 Wed - Spirit Of 66 @ 8:00 PM - Verviers, Belgium
• Oct 30 Thu - Poppodium Boerderij @ 7:30 PM - Zoetermeer, Netherlands
• Nov 1 Sat - Louhisali @ 7:00 PM - Espoo, Finland
• Nov 2 Sun - Kulttuurikeskus Painotalo @ 6:00 PM - Äänekoski, Finland
• Nov 3 Mon - G Livelab @ 7:00 PM - Tampere, Finland
• Nov 5 Wed - Sala Rockville @ 7:30 PM - Madrid, Spain
• Nov 6 Thu - Sala Upload @ 7:30 PM - Barcelona, Spain
• Nov 8 Sat - Peocio @ 8:00 PM - Turin, Italy

-- info: Philippe Lamoot

EIDON - PARAGON

 A new piece by Eidon: Paragon

MOON ZAPPA'S LATEST BOOK IS GETTING AN ITALIAN EDITION

CLOUDS OVER CHRYSLER - FERTILIZER

• Clouds Over Chrysler: Fertilizer
      (1993, cd, Austria, gash records)

Austrian rock band Clouds Over Chrysler included a piece entitled ‘Funky Flowers In My House (And Frank Zappa Sitting In My Garden)’ on their “Fertilizer” album.

Released on CD in 1993.

PRIMUS

The 35th 2 LP anniversary edition of Primus' "Frizzle Fry" album is being released in various colour variations.

And (!!) it includes their cover of The Residents' 'Hello Skinny/Constantinople'.

FURIO DI CASTRI, GIOVANNI FALZONE, ACHILLE SUCCI, FABIO GIACHINO, MATTIA BARBIERI - SUNDAY AFTERNOON

• Furio Di Castri, Giovanni Falzone, Achille Succi, Fabio Giachino, Mattia Barbieri: Sunday Afternoon
      (2024, cd, Italy, parco della musica records)

Italian bass player, arranger and composer Furio Di Castri recorded Frank Zappa's 'Oh No' for his "Sunday Afternoon" album.
The recording featured Furio Di Castri (double bass), Giovanni Falzone (trumpet), Achille Succi (alto sax and clarinet), Fabio Giachino (keyboard and fx), Mattia Barbieri (drums).

'Oh No', in a beautiful, slow and jazzy version.

Out on CD.

Also noteworthy is the excellent version Furio recorded with Barbara Raimondi in 2008. It can be found on Barbara's "Accoppiamenti Giudiziosi" album.
And there's more. Also check out the "Zapping" project or the "Under Construction" album with Gianluca Petrella.

-

NORWEGIAN ARMY BAND BERGEN - A BERGEN BANDSTAND

• Norwegian Army Band Bergen: A Bergen Bandstand
      (2009, cd, Norway, src)

The Norwegian Army Band Bergen, also known as the Forsvarets Musikkorps Vestlandet, released two Frank Zappa pieces on their "A Bergen Bandstand" CD: 'The Dog Breath Variations' and 'Uncle Meat', both arranged by Ray Farr (remember the Eikanger-Bjorsvik Musikklag !).
Beautiful arrangements, excellent performances.

Here's another track, and from another album, but it'll give you an idea of what the NABB sounds like.

GARY HUSBAND / MOONJUNE RECORDS UPDATE

MoonJune Records just announced "Postcards from the Past" by Gary Husband.
To be released in August.

“Multi-instrumentalist-composer Gary Husband to Release Archival 2CD set Postcards from the Past on MoonJune Records.

Music from the archives of Gary Husband previously unreleased tracks from 1978 to 2021 featuring: Allan Holdsworth, Arto Tuncboyaciyan, Elliot Mason, Graeme Blevins, Hansford Rowe, Jerry Goodman, Jim Beard, Julian Siegel, Matthew Garrison, Michael Janisch, Michael Mondesir, Paul Carmichael, Paul Williams, Randy Brecker, Ray Warleigh, Richard Turner, Sam Burgess, Steve Topping.

 

BAREND TROMP UPDATE

"Odd Time Concepts", the latest album by Barend Tromp is available on Bandcamp.
Check it out !

In 2025, Barend Tromp took a bold leap into rhythmic experimentation with his third album, Odd Time Concepts, released on 7D Media—the U.S.-based label founded by visionary King Crimson alumnus Trey Gunn. Across eleven tracks, the album explores a wide range of time signatures, from the familiar 3/4 to the more adventurous 13/16 and 21/8.

Featuring four drummers, including progressive rock icon Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson, Stick Men), the album also showcases a standout Warr guitar solo by Trey Gunn on the track “Madhuvanti.” Despite its complex structures, Odd Time Concepts remains remarkably accessible, maintaining a strong sense of groove and clarity throughout.

With each new project, Barend Tromp continues to push the boundaries of composition and technique, creating music that is both innovative and emotionally resonant. His fearless approach offers a fresh perspective on contemporary instrumental music, captivating both musicians and listeners alike.”

PSYCHEDLICA

Peter Sijnke (who wrote a book on Frank Zappa in the (Dutch) Rockklassiekers series a little while ago), joined forces with Marcel Koopman to write "Psychedelica", a book about bands that expand awareness.
I haven't read it (yet), but it should include a 16-page article on Captain Beefheart !

 

NEW BANDCAMP RELEASE BY MEN & VOLTS

"Wholesome Guitars Becalm Humans"

 

DWEEZIL ZAPPA AT THE BRIDGE GUITAR FESTIVAL - PART THREE

Sunday, June 1, 2025

Part three - evening session:
Dweezil Zappa & Metropole Orkest

performing the music of Dweezil & Frank Zappa

  Dweezil Zappa: guitar
  The Metropoloe Orkest, cond. Jukka Iisakkila

special guests:
  Zach Tabori: lead vocals

  Kurt Morgan: vocals

1. intro
2. The Adventures Of Dindoo
3. Filthy Habits
4. Echidna's Arf (Of You)
5. The Lost Zappa Song
6. Electric Hoedown
7. Shampoohorn
8. Truth
9. RDNZL
10. Punky's Whips
    
    encores
11. Funky 15
12. Uncle Remusa

It was an excellent show.
No goosebumps or emotional moments (although that might have been caused by the onion/curry soup I  had at noon...), but still an excellent show.
Dweezil used the SG for most pieces and it had a bit of a flat sound which was a pity (in my opinion), but some great solos. 

I've seen YouTube (and other) video recordings of most of the pieces.
Here's a small selection:

'Filthy Habits'

'Echidna's Arf (Of You)'

Re-listening, it shows how spoiled we Zappa fans are.
'Echidna's Arf' performed by a 60-piece orchestra...

'The Lost Zappa Song'

A bit of a strange story when your uncle shows you a melody or chord progression from something he heard over 50 years ago. But it turned into something nice.

'Electric Hoedown'

B-side of a 1986 7".

'Punky's Whips'

With Zach Tabori. WOW !!

The show got recorded, so we'll probably get a broadcast, at least of parts of it.
 

DWEEZIL ZAPPA AT THE BRIDGE GUITAR FESTIVAL - PART TWO

Sunday, June 1, 2025

Part two - morning session:

Frank Scheffer's documentary (from 2002) on Frank Zappa: "Phase II"

Introduction by Frank Scheffer.

We had already seen this excellent documentary, but the Nat Lab in Eindhoven was the perfect location.
Great seats, a huge screen and superb sound,.. plus an introduction by the man himself.

-