MEN & VOLTS

Men & Volts have released another collection of songs on Bandcamp.
This time, it's different versions of 'Bad Luck Bye Bye', a song that originally got released on their  1987 "The Mule" album.

UNIT WAIL

Unit Wail is a French Zeuhl/Avant-Prog band formed in 2009, known for their dark, intense, and heavily instrumental fusion style.
Founded by guitarist Franck Fromy—a key member of the influential 1980s Zeuhl band Shub-Niggurath—Unit Wail is often characterized as a more aggressive and modern evolution of that dark Zeuhl sound, frequently incorporating "King Crimson-in-hell" guitar riffs, filthy, prominent bass lines, and dense synthesizer layers.

The band has released four albums.
I recently enjoyed three of these: "Pangaez Proxima", "Retort", and "Egares".
Recommended listening !!

• Unit Wail: Pangaea Proxima
      (2012, cd)
• Unit Wail: Retort
      (2013, cd)
• Unit Wail: Beyond Space Edges
      (2015, cd)
• Unit Wail: Egares
      (2019, cd)

-- info: Danny Mathys

A NEW PIECE BY EIDON

'nalÈ'
by Eidon

RÊVE D'ÉLÉPHANT ORCHESTRA - JUNGLE BINGE

• Rêve d'Eléphant Orchestra: Junge Binche
      (2026, cd, Belgium, igloo)

Album number six for the Rêve d'Eléphant Orchestra.
In their usual delightful quirkiness, the ensemble offers 9 tracks on this new album.

...a joyful, danceable album blending West African rhythms, carnival brass fanfare, and contemporary jazz. Marking 25 years for the Belgian ensemble, this album is noted for its "hip-swaying" grooves, rich collective improvisation, and a fresh, intergenerational energy.

Let them take you to a trip in the jungle !!

KAREN MANTLER - BUSINESS IS BAD

• Karen Mantler: Business Is Bad
      (2014, cd, Germany, xtrawatt)

Saying that Karen Mantler has a distinctive and minimalist style is an understatement.
I got introduced to her "Business Is Bad" album recently, where she continues on her same lovely path.

Nonchalantly and disarmingly, Karen sings of homeless people in the park, the disappearance of friends, the frustrations of being monolingual, the challenge of improvisation, music with a mind of its own, and encounters with bill collectors, lawyers, snowstorms, and ash-spewing volcanoes.

-- info: Danny Mathys

SETNA - GUÉRISON

• Setna: Guérison
      (2013, cd, France, soleil zeuhl)

French Zeuhl fusion band Setna released their debut, "Cycle I" in 2007.
Their second album, "Guérision" followed in 2013.

Although the band is classified as Zeuhl, the music on "Guérison" is also said to be more spiritual, ethereal and uplifting than the typical darker Zeuhl music.

Three long pieces: 'Cycle II', 'Triptyque', and 'Guérison', plus two shorter pieces from the same session.

Beautiful !!

Here's 'Triptyque':

-- info: Danny Mathys

XING SA - CRÉATION DE L' UNIVERS

• Xing Sa: Création De L’Univers
      (2010, cd, France, soleil zeuhl)

Nicolas Goulay (Keyboards), Christophe Blondel (Bass) and Nicolas Candé (Drums) are part of French Zeuhl fusion band Setna.
Xing Sa was a (one-off) side project.

"Création De L'Univers" got released in 2010 on the Soleil Zeuhl record label.
As the label name predicts, this is indeed music in the style of Magma / Zeuhl.

Instrumental (for the most part), and keyboard-driven.
A fine discovery.

-- info: Danny Mathys

FULANO - TRABAJOS INÚTILES

• Fulano: Trabajos Inútiles
      (1997, cd, Chile, private release / fulano)

Chilean jazz-fusion band Fulano included a piece entitled ‘Nadie Nos Conoce (El Cielo Tiene Su Escrutinador Central)’ (Nobody Knows Us – Heaven Has Its Own Central Scrutinizer) on “Trabajos Inútiles”, their third album.
The piece was dedicated to Frank Zappa.

Originally released in 1997, “Trabajos Inútiles” would get a re-release in 2003 (on the Brazilian Record Runner label) and in 2016 (on the Chilean El Templo Rekords label).

STEEL PANTHER - ON THE PROWL

• Steel Panther: On The Prowl
      (2023, cd, USA, private release / steel panther)

Steel Panther is a comedic, satirical glam metal band that parody 1980s Sunset Strip hair metal with highly profane, sex-heavy, and hedonistic lyrics. Their music is characterized by technically brilliant musicianship, featuring wailing solos, "gluey" melodic hooks, and authentic 80s-style rock production that simultaneously honors and mocks the genre.

"On The Prowl" was Steel Panther's final album. It featured Dweezil Zappa on guitar on 'Is My Dick Enough'.

XAVI REIJA ELECTRIC QUINTET - NU BREED

• Xavi Reija Electric Quintet: Nu Breed
       (2026, download / streaming, --, bandcamp / moonjune)
       (2026, cd, --, moonjune records)

Spanish drummer and composer Xavi Reija has a new album out.
"Nu Breed" got released about ten days ago and offers some exiting and energising music.

Featuring Xavi Reija on drums, Dusan Jevtovic on guitar, Tomás Fosch on Fender Rhodes and mini moog, Rafael Garacés on sax, and Brnat Hernandez on electric bass, the album presents 8 funky jazz fusion tracks.

Together they make high-voltage music that derives directly from the music of King Crimson and the freedom of Miles Davis. The result is a proposal of an uncommon emotional intensity, as the original compositions serve as fuel for a collective improvisation that gives the eye no respite.

Superb.
Highly recommended !!

Out on Bandcamp, but also on CD.
Released on the MoonJune Records label.

JOSH ADAM MEYERS DISCUSSES "FREAK OUT" WITH AHMET ZAPPA

The 500 with Josh Adam Meyers

Album 246 | Freak Out! by The Mothers of Invention with Ahmet Zappa

MIKE JOHNSON - THE GARDENS OF LOSS

• Mike Johnson: The Gardens Of Loss
      (2026, download / streaming, --, bandcamp / cuneiform)
      (2026, cd, USA, cuneiform rune)

Mike Johnson is the man behind Thinking Plague, the Denver, Colorado-based RIO / avant-garde progressive rock band.
Thinking Plague released eight albums between 1984 and 2017.

For some reason, Mike decided that his next release would not be credited to Thinking Plague, but to Mike Johnson.

Check out the nice review at Peinemmät Purot !

https://pienemmatpurot.com/2026/03/23/review-mike-johnson-the-gardens-of-loss-2026/

or just dive into the record :

(featuring Simon Steensland and Morgan Agren !)

JANEL LEPPIN'S ENSEMBLE VOLCANIC ASH - PLUTO IN AQUARIUS

• Janel Leppin’s Ensemble Volcanic Ash: Pluto In Aquarius
      (2026, download / streaming, --, bandcamp / cuneiform)
      (2026, cd, USA, cuneiform)

The Cuneiform record label recently released "Pluto In Aquarius", a new album by Janel Leppin's Ensemble Volcanic Ash quintet.

With Janel Leppin's cello at the central stage, the ensemble performs impressive, cinematic compositions.

Throughout "Pluto in Aquarius", the group’s language and interplay might seem leaner, meaner and grittier to veteran Ensemble Volcanic Ash fans. Leppin found a new pared-back feel for the ensemble — often less like a midsize chamber ensemble and more like a scrappy combo. “It’s a really raw sound and I love that,” Leppin says. “We had played some shows in this format and it was like, ‘Wow, this is a whole other thing now.’”

The five-piece group melds an illustrious array of D.C. talent into a glimmering expressive organism that surges, expands, ebbs and dances in multiple directions at once.

Quite different from "Slowly Melting", Janel's other recent release, but equally exiting.
Out on Bandcamp, and on CD.

-- info: Danny Mathys

DWEEZIL ZAPPA AND SOKLO

another YouTube clip by Dweezil Zappa.

THE LESSON is back! This episode features ELIJAH SOKOLOW, a guitarist and producer who is approaching the GUITAR in a very DISTORTED way.

 

THE ED PALERMO BIG BAND

CHRISTIAN VANDER - CONCERT RENNES 2002

• Christian Vander Quartet: Concert Rennes 2002
      (2026, cd, France, acel)

I was quite happy with the digital rip of the latest Christain Vander release that I received last week.
And I'm even more thrilled now that the actual CD arrived.

A beautiful tribute to the music of John Coltrane, by none other than Magma founder Christian Vander.
Recorded in 2002.
Released in 2026.

GONG ON TOUR

Gong will be touring and they will be performing at Het Bos in Antwerp, Belgium.
Het Bos has a venue capacity of only 200 people. Curious to see how that will turn out...

Here's Gong at Zappanale, from 2024.

-- info Dirk Verschaeve

BEBO BEST & THE BBC CONTEMPORARY ORCHESTRA - ZAPPA IN JAZZ

• Bebo Best & The BBC Contemporary Orchestra: Zappa In Jazz
      (2026, download / streaming, --,digital music platforms)

Bebo Best (real name Bebo Baldan) and the BBC Contemporary Orchestra already released several Frank Zappa compositions on their “Zap! Zappa Favtunes” album in 2023.
And now there's “Zappa In Jazz”.

Wow.

01. Cosmik Debris
02. B Bop; Blessed Relief
03. Blessed Relief
04. Zappa's Disgression Variation
05. Zoot Allures
06. Penguin In Bondage
07. Sofa No. 2
08. Po-Jama People
09. Uncle Meat
10. Alta Tensione
11. Playin' On Cosmik
12. The Jazzy Scrutinizer

-

-- info: Jan van Kemenade

MOON ZAPPA JOINED AHMET ON ROCKTAILS

 

MAY 22, 23 & 24 - - - BRUSSELS JAZZ WEEKEND

With Flat Earth Society performing at the Grand Market Place on Saturday the 23rd.

https://lottobrusselsjazzweekend.be/?l=en

ANGINE DE POITRINE - VOL. II

• Angine De Poitrine: Vol. II
      (2026, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)
      (2026, lp, --, --)

Strike while the iron is hot, is probably what Angine De Poitrine is thinking.

I've mentioned the band a couple of times already, and the attention that they are getting just seems to keep on growing.
The band released their second album, "Vol. II", in March, has received a lot of media coverage (even more for their appearance than for their music), and is now scheduled to play all over the world.

Microtonal math rock.
I'm a fan.

JULIE SLICK UPDATE

Julie Slick has toured and recorded with Adrian Belew. Their most recent collaboration was the Crimson ProjeKCt, and the 2024 "Remain In Light" tour.

Also in 2024, Julie and Marco Machera released their "Fourth Dementia (10 Year Anniversary)" album.
This "Fourth Dimentia (10 Year Anniversary)" album, has now been released on CD.
In a limited edition of 50 copies.

HAM SESSION OUTDOOR - MAY 23, 24 & 25 - GHENT, BELGIUM

https://hamsessions.org/

-

-

MEDIABANDA - BOMBAS EN EL AIRE

• MediaBanda: Bombas En El Aire
      (2017, cd, Chile, cht müsik)

Between 2004 and 2021, MediaBanda released five albums.
Not all of these are easy to find. At least, not when you're living on the Yuripean mainland.

I did get my hands on a copy of "Bombas En El Aire", the band's 2017 album.

Progressive rock, jazz, RIO,... take your pick.
Complex music, strong vocals.
This is superb.

The title track, performed live :

MediaBanda discography

• MediaBanda: Entre La Inseguridad Y El Ego
      (2004, cd, Chile, private release)
      (2012, cd, Chile, cht müsik)
      - quotes a melody from ‘Inca Roads’ (F. Zappa) in ‘Chilean Wikén Again’
• MediaBanda: Dinero Y Terminación Nerviosa
      (2007, 2cd, Chile, private release)
      (2012, 2cd, Chile, cht müsik)
• MediaBanda: Siendo Perro
      (2010, cd, Chile, private release)
      (2012, cd, Chile, cht müsik)
• MediaBanda: Bombas En El Aire
      (2017, cd, Chile, cht müsik)
      (2018, lp, Chile, radical beat / aconcagua records)
• MediaBanda: Maquinarias
      (2021, cd, Chile, aconcagua records)
  
  
  

KROONGETUIGE FESTIVAL IN TILBURG, NL ON APRIL 26 & 27

Sunday, April 26
Monday, April 27

In Tilburg, NL

https://hall-fame.nl/programma/kroongetuige-zondag-111574118

 

https://hall-fame.nl/programma/kroongetuige-maandag-111549927

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5b8Uw0DHxUhkHOUxXY3FsY?si=Tx0L8ZdOTxStD9fs8BO0xw

J.M. SMIG - PEACHES EN REGALIA (2026 REMASTER)

J.M. Smig:
To celebrate the reissue of my catalog on streaming services, I've remastered and reissued the single of "Peaches En Regalia" for radio.

JOHN BERKMAN

Daniel Berkman, the son of John Berkman (who can be heard on Frank Zappa's "Studio Tan" and "Lather" albums), has released an album of music performed by his father.
Recorded in 1955, and released in 2019.

• John Berkman: "The Soloist"
      (2019, download / streaming, --, bandcamp / daniel berkman)

-- info: Boegart

THE MIKE KENEALLY REPORT & DAVE CURETON

 It looks like Mike Keneally will be doing some concerts in Europe in December.

MEDIABANDA - DINERO Y TERMINACION NERIOSA

• MediaBanda: Dinero Y Terminación Nerviosa
      (2007, 2cd, Chile, private release)

Chilean band MediaBanda released their second album in 2007.

I was pretty impressed by MediaBanda's first release but this 2 CD set follow-up blew me away.
Beautiful music, highlighted by vocalist Arlette Jequier (Fulano !).

Here are the first two tracks from the album:

-

The album got re-released in 2012 by the CHT Müsik record label.

THE STUDIO DAN UPDATE

After the Easter holidays, we would like to draw your attention to our next project. Eight world premieres, outstanding composers (Ralph Mothwurf, Flora Geißelbrecht, Daniel Riegler, Ursula Winterauer, Matthäus Pircher), and excellent filmmakers (Fekry Helal, Claudia Larcher, Celine Pham, Hans Richter, Thomas Renoldner, Anna Vasof), at the Mozart Hall of the Vienna Konzerthaus. The whole program will also be presented in Viktring. Special thanks go to Thomas Renoldner (BAAF – Best Austrian Animation Festival) for selecting the films.

Attentive observers may have already noticed: our YOU BETTER LISTEN! series will return to the MuTh Concert Hall in the upcoming season. Once again, four concerts are on the program—evenings that live up to our own high standards: this is something you can only hear in Vienna with Studio Dan.

LEONARDO PAVKOVIC INTERVIEW BY GUILLERMO URDAPILLETA (THE ROCKTOLOGIST)

Leonardo Pavkovic, the MoonJune Records mastermind.

https://www.therocktologist.com/interview-with-leonardo-pavkovic.html

A MESSAGE FROM THE FURIOUS BONGOS

Hey y'all! The brand spankin' new release, Third Room Live, is out now!

https://thefuriousbongos.bandcamp.com/album/third-room-live

The album is one show from top to bottom, recorded last November at Third Room in Asheville, NC. It's one of the best performances we've ever pulled off, and we're thrilled to be able to share it. As always, it's a free download - you can pay if you want, but we've covered the licensing fees up front to make sure the Zappa legacy gets its piece. A double-CD package is also available through the Bandcamp page, and we'll have 'em with us at upcoming shows.

And don’t forget: our spring tour is coming up in May! We hope to see a bunch of y’all out there.

• 5/13 Keystone Korner, Baltimore, MD
• 5/14 West Shore Theatre, New Cumberland, PA
• 5/15 The Queen, Wilmington, DE
• 5/16 Beacon Theatre, Hopewell, VA
• 5/17 Third Room, Asheville, NC

MUSIC IS THE BEST!

MARBIN SPRING TOUR 2026

J.M. SMIG - EVERY MAN AND EVERY WOMAN IS A STAR MARKET

J.M. Smig released "Every Man And Every Woman Is A Star Market" on April 6, 2021.
Exactly 5 years ago.

J.M. added:
When I worked various jobs in Boston over the years, I often traveled with my laptop and a pad of blank sheet music in my backpack. "Every Man And Every Woman Is A Star Market" was created for the most part during long commutes via bus and subway to and from a supermarket third shift on Commonwealth Ave. eventually hampered by the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Every Man And Every Woman Is A Star Market", opening with my arrangement of the 'Final Hymn' of Igor Stravinsky's 'Firebird Suite', was released on this day in 2021, the 50th anniversary of Stravinsky's death. 

DWEEZIL ZAPPA AT THE GUITAR SUMMIT IN GERMANY (2025)

and he brought his guitar  :-)

Dweezil jamming with the Andy Wood band

MEDIABANDA - ENTRE LA INSEGURIDAD Y EL EGO

• MediaBanda: Entre La Inseguridad Y El Ego
• (2004, cd, Chile, private release)

Chilean progressive rock, jazz fusion and contemporary music band MediaBanda released their first album, “Entre La Inseguridad Y El Ego” in 2004. 

I learned about the band a bit over a week ago, when (Freakshow Artrock Festival) Charly mentioned them on Facebook.

My interest got even more triggered when I discovered that ‘Chilean Wikén Again’ has a bass solo in which Frank Zappa's 'Inca Roads' got quoted.
In the meantime, I got hold of the album and I love it.

Released in 2004, but the album did get a re-issue in 2012.

Recommended listening !

-

NEW ALBUM BY GENE PRITSKER

"Chamber Timbres – The Eclectic Music of Gene Pritsker"

"Chamber Timbres", a portrait album of chamber music by Gene Pritsker, presents a wide-ranging yet cohesive exploration of color, gesture, and instrumental identity. From live performances to studio recordings, the album spans an eclectic spectrum of styles, ensembles, and sonic attitudes, unified by Pritsker’s distinctive compositional voice. Each work foregrounds timbre as a primary expressive force, treating instruments not just as carriers of melody and harmony, but as dramatic characters with their own physicality, humor, and edge. The result is a collection that is both adventurous and deeply personal, capturing the vitality of contemporary chamber music as a living, evolving art form.

SEAN NOONAN UPDATE

Sean Noonan has just released "The Drummer of Tedworth".
He recently premiered the piece at Milton Court, performing it with the London Symphony Orchestra.

Sean added:
Reflections on "The Drummer of Tedworth" Premiere What a night! The World Premiere at Milton Court was everything I hoped it would be and more. Taking a 17th-century haunting and turning it into a metaphysical monodrama for a speaking drummer and orchestra has been the quest of a lifetime. To everyone who joined us to follow Olis on his search for "pnoom" (enlightenment)—thank you for being part of this "cosmic mischief." I am forever in debt to the musicians and friends across 15 countries whose voices are in every beat of these drums. THE ALBUM IS OUT NOW: If you missed the show (or just want to inhabit the story again), the double album is officially available now on Double Vinyl, CD, and digital download!

https://seannoonanmusic.com/album/3705978/the-drummer-of-tedworth

PITH is hitting the road across Croatia and Germany, and we’ll be recording a new album at the end of the tour! We are taking the "sonic architecture" of The Drummer of Tedworth and distilling it into raw, punk-jazz energy.

Join me, Lino Blöchlinger (Sax), and Norbert Bürger (Guitar) as we bring New York madness, Bavarian cabaret, and Swiss free-improv to these stages:

April 12: Club Prostor – Čakovec, Croatia
April 14: Klub Močvara – Zagreb, Croatia
April 16: Furtnerbräu – Freising, Germany
April 18: Die Zentrale zum Rieblwirt – Landshut, Germany
April 19: Immerhin – Würzburg, Germany

Expect fractured funk, cosmic mischief, and maybe a prank call to Benjamin Franklin. 

The Noonan Trio in Oxford – May 30th
On Saturday, May 30th, I’ll be returning to Oxford with the critically acclaimed Noonan Trio. Featuring Matthew Bourne (Piano) and Michael Bardon (Bass), we’ll be blending jazz-rock, improvisation, and rhythmic storytelling.

Where: The Auditorium, St John’s College, Oxford
When: 19:30 (Doors at 19:00)
Tickets: £17.50 / £9.50 (Pay Less) / £25.00 (Pay More)

ALL SHOW DETAILS HERE
seannoonanmusic.com/live-dates

Thank you all for the continued support—see you out on the road

Best,

Sean Noonan

RETURN TO FOREVER - LIVE AT MONTREUX 2008

Return to Forever - Live at Montreux 2008

Released by Eagle Eye on DVD, but also available on YouTube.

NEW RELEASE FROM EIDON

'Sundial'
by Eidon

SALIN

Salin at KEXP

That's

• Salin Cheewapansri - Drums
• Maxwell Miller - Bass
• Jordan Peters - Guitar
• Jordan Pistilli - Keyboards
• Josiane Rouette - Trumpet
• Alexandre Dion - Saxophone

THE FURIOUS BONGOS - THIRD ROOM LIVE

• The Furious Bongos: Third Room Live
      (2026, cd, USA, private release / thud-like music)

Boy oh boy...
The latest album by The Furious Bongos arrived last week.
I have enjoyed the digital download for about a month now, but I'm overjoyed by the CD.
It's a fold-out cardboard 2 CD set. Beautiful pictures inside an out... Looks like a mini LP.

Recorded live at the Third Room in Asheville, NC on November 16, 2025, and the performance is just amazing.

Written by Frank Zappa, masterfully arranged by Conrad St. Clair, and performed by a bunch of outstanding musicians, not to mention the (essential but) incredible vocal performance of those very same musicians..

An essential album if you consider yourself a fan of Frank Zappa's music.
(and, yes, that's Chad Wackerman behind the drum kit)

TREY ANASTASIO

Trey Anastasio: Live and Acoustic

Now streaming and available to order is Live and Acoustic, a collection of stripped-down performances captured last year on Trey's sold-out 2025 Spring Acoustic Tour.

Produced by Vance Powell, it's a tour-spanning compilation featuring longtime collaborator Jeff Tanski on many of the tracks, including Phish compositional classics "Divided Sky" and "Stash."

Available on PhishLive+

https://www.livephish.com/LP-2728.html 

RDG TRIO - ECHOES OF OUR NAME

• RDG Trio:  Echoes Of Our Name
      (2026, lp, Belgium, private release)
      (2026, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)

Rune De Groote's RDG Trio features Rune on drums, Miel De Koninck on piano, and Wolf De Backer on double bass. Plus special guest Emiel Verneert on trumpet.

It's the trio's / quartet's first release. And it's an impressive one to say the least.

"Echoes Of Our Name" presents 6 pieces.
Instrumental, modern jazz. Performed by the same four people and yet, the album displays a beautiful variety.
There's the adventurous 'Shiftin Moss', the lyrical 'Song Of The Feathered Land', the drums-driven 'Jayus', the intimate 'Coronation', the restrained exuberant 'The Quiet Unfolding', and the joyous 'Heritage'.

Beautiful melodies, lovely interplay (with some exquisite unison playing), and nice improvisational excursions.
A wonderful first meeting.

Recommended listening !

-- info: André Oomen

 

CHRISTIAN VANDER QUARTET - CONCERT RENNES 2002

• Christian Vander Quartet: Concert Rennes 2002
      (2026, cd, --, acel)

It is no secret that Magma founder, drummer and composer Christian Vander is a huge admirer of John Coltrane. He even did a project called "Offering" (named after a John Coltrane album) in the 1980s.

In 2002, Christian Vander gathered Eric Prost (tenor & soprano sax), Emmanuel Borghi (piano ), and Emmanuel Grimonprez (double bass) to perform a John Coltrane tribute concert in Rennes, France.

Pure energy.
Beautiful.

It even comes with a drum solo :-)

-- info & more: Danny Mathys

SOCIÉTÉ ÉTRANGE - HEAT

Société Étrange, is a Lyon, France-based trio.

With "Heat", Société Étrange extends its work around repetition, groove and cyclic structures, shaping an instrumental music that is both hypnotic and enveloping. Without any radical shift, the Lyon-based trio subtly moves towards more melodic and more cinematic forms, revealing warmer, more textured and sometimes more luminous atmospheres.

THE McHILSON PROJECT

• The McHilson Project: Insurrection
      (2026, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)
      (2026, cd, --, private release / elastic stage)
      (2026, lp, --, private release / elastic stage)

The debut album "INSURRECTION" by Mark McInnes's McHILSON PROJECT is now suddenly available on both Vinyl and CD !!

You know Mark McInnes from the Zappatika! project, performing the music of Frank Zappa.
Reason enough to check out this new release !

INSURRECTION Vinyl and CD Store
https://elasticstage.com/mchilsonproject/releases/insurrection-album

And here's the Bandcamp link:
https://themchilsonproject.bandcamp.com/album/insurrection

GOV'T MULE

Gov’t Mule Will Be Kicking In Your Stall This Summer:
New Headlining Dates Just Added!

JANEL LEPPIN - SLOWLY MELTING

• Janel Leppin: Slowly Melting
      (2026, download / streaming, --, bandcamp / cuneiform)
      (2026, cd, USA, cuneiform)

On "Slowly Melting", Janel Leppin plays all the instruments: her main instrument, cello, but also guitar, keyboard and bass.

"Slowly Melting" is a beautiful album, with cello lines reminiscent of choral singing.
The emphasis is on the melodic aspect, which creates a soothing atmosphere.

THE FURIOUS BONGOS PLAY ZAPPA

a message from The Furious Bongos 

Our Spring tour-ette is right around the corner, AND streaming passes are available for the show May 13 at Keystone Korner in Baltimore for those of y'all who can't make any of the shows in person!

• 5/13 Keystone Korner, Baltimore, MD
• 5/14 West Shore Theatre, New Cumberland, PA
• 5/15 The Queen, Wilmington, DE
• 5/16 Beacon Theatre, Hopewell, VA
• 5/17 Third Room, Asheville, NC

ANGINE DE POITRINE TOURDATES

Yes, I know... It's a bit of a hype.
But I do like their music !

FLASHBACK TO 1990/1991 - - - PRIX ITALIA - ZAPPA 50!

Here's a nice promotional book that I came across recently.

"Prix Italia - Frank Zappa 50!"

A4 sized, 40+ pages, this book presents the transcript (in English) of the interview that Co de Kloet did with Frank Zappa, broadcast during a December 1990 radio show called "Supplement".

Published by NOS Production (the Dutch Broadcasting Company), it also included a French translation of the transcript.

Very nice.

The Prix Italia is a prestigious annual international competition for radio, television, and digital media, established in 1948 by RAI – Radiotelevisione Italiana. It rewards top-quality, innovative productions from public and private broadcasters globally, focusing on drama, music, and documentaries.
Co de Kloet received the award for the above mentioned Supplement show.

It's this very same Supplement radio show from which highlights were released on cassette:

KAREN MANTLER - KAREN MANTLER'S PET PROJECT

• Karen Mantler: Karen Mantler's Pet Project
      (2000, cd, --, virgin classics)

On "Karen Mantler's Pet Project", the lovely and soothing voice of Karen Mantler explains how she came to terms with the death of her cat Arnold (who was the main character in three of her prior albums).

Nice.

Here's 'Go Fish', where Karen thinks about getting a fish pet.

SETNA - CYCLE I

• Setna: Cycle I
      (2007, cd, France, soleil zeuhl)

French Zeuhl fusion band Setna formed in 2004.
They released their first album, "Cycle I" in 2007 on the French Soleil Zeuhl record label.

Setna's "Cycle I" kicks off, combining Fender Rhodes repetitive melodies with ethereal female vocals. It sets a mellow and laid back atmosphere.
After a couple of songs, Guillaume Laurent starts adding soprano sax lines.
Beautiful.
And then, from track 6 on, both the Fender Rhodes and the bass get more energetic.
The final track even has James Mac Gaw (from One Shot) adding a guitar solo.

I love it.
9 tracks. With a nice shift from mellow to energetic.
Or as the band puts it: from darkness to consciousness.

Compelling.
Beautiful.

Here's what the band sounded like in concert:

LA JUNGLE

LA JUNGLE shifts into third gear and treats itself to a two-drum-kit go-fast. The duo becomes a trio with its seventh studio album, "An Order Of Things".
Nine tracks written by six hands in Mons, on the banks of La Trouille — the unsettling river — and recorded in the woods of Normandy.
In 2026, Roxie, Jim, and their friend Da offer a new order of things after 700 shows and more than 10 years of touring face to face. Double kick, double snare, triple trance. Dance, always.

Here's 'Witches Carousel':

PROJECT Z

Project Z

Freak Me Out, Frank Festival in SMUP - 21/3/2026

 

THE STINKFOOT ORCHESTRA PLAYS ZAPPA

From GlassOnyonPR

THE STINKFOOT ORCHESTRA

14-PIECE FRANK ZAPPA TRIBUTE ANNOUNCES SOUTHWEST SPRING TOUR WITH ZAPPA ALUM, NAPOLEON MURPHY BROCK

The Stinkfoot Orchestra’s April–May run includes a headline slot at San Diego’s Global Earth Day Festival, first-ever shows in Phoenix and Las Vegas, and a two-night no-repeat Vegas stand

BAY AREA, CA — The Stinkfoot Orchestra, a Bay Area-based 14-piece ensemble dedicated to the music of Frank Zappa, will launch a Southwest spring tour beginning April 16, bringing one of rock’s most ambitious catalogs to stages across California, Arizona, and Nevada.

Fronted by Napoleon Murphy Brock and featuring a history of collaborations with Zappa alumni including Ike Willis and Ray White, the band’s 2026 spring run includes a headline performance at San Diego’s 34th Annual Global Earth Day Festival, first-ever appearances in Phoenix and Las Vegas, and a two-night late-night stand in Las Vegas featuring more than 70 songs with no repeats.

Known for combining musical precision with theatrical irreverence, The Stinkfoot Orchestra has built a devoted following on the West Coast by bringing Frank Zappa’s technically demanding music to life through a 14-piece lineup featuring a six-piece horn section, five vocalists, tuned percussion, and a stage show that embraces both the complexity and absurdity of Zappa’s work.

“I appreciate the fact that they prepared themselves properly. They learned the music properly, they play the right notes and they are articulate about it. If they weren’t doing it correctly, I wouldn’t show up. The standard is high.”
- Napoleon Murphy Brock, Frank Zappa alumnus and Stinkfoot Orchestra frontman.

The tour opens at Venice West in Venice Beach on April 16 - a favorite stop both for the band and fans alike where past performances have included sit-ins by several Zappa alumni including Bruce Fowler and Arthur Barrow. Venice is followed by a stop at Spaghetti Western in Morongo Valley on April 17. On April 19, the band will headline the Global Earth Day Festival at the WorldBeat Cultural Center in San Diego’s Balboa Park.

From there, the band heads to Arizona for a return to Tucson at 191 Toole on April 22, followed by its first-ever Phoenix performance at The Rhythm Room on April 23.

The run reaches a peak on April 24 and 25 in Las Vegas, where The Stinkfoot Orchestra will make its Vegas debut with two complete, late-night performances at The Bonfire following Phish’s second weekend at the Sphere. Curated by Cash or Trade, the shows are being billed as two nights of music with no repeated songs between them.

The band returns home to Northern California to conclude the tour with 3 dates at Cornerstone in Berkeley on April 30, The Boardwalk in Orangevale on May 1, and Lost on Main in Chico on May 2.

“The connection between the musicians is palpable, Chargin making it look easy is an illusion that is the product of countless hours of practice. Even my untrained ears recognize the technical ability required of all the musicians to deliver. ”
- Spike Steffenhagen, San Diego Reader (March 2024)

“The impression left upon driving home from this experience was one of deep appreciation mixed with laughter and amazement. The Stinkfoot Orchestra is more than worthy of your time and money.”
- Ted Silverman, JamBase (September 2021)

TOUR DATES
Apr 16 — Venice West — Venice Beach, CA — 8pm
Apr 17 — Spaghetti Western — Morongo Valley, CA — 9pm
Apr 19 — WorldBeat Cultural Center Global Earth Day Festival — San Diego, CA — Headlining
Apr 22 — 191 Toole — Tucson, AZ — 8pm
Apr 23 — The Rhythm Room — Phoenix, AZ — 8pm (first-ever Phoenix show)
Apr 24–25 — The Bonfire — Las Vegas, NV — 11:59pm (first-ever Las Vegas shows)
Apr 30 — Cornerstone — Berkeley, CA — 8pm
May 1 — The Boardwalk — Orangevale, CA — 8pm
May 2 — Lost on Main — Chico, CA — 9pm

ABOUT THE STINKFOOT ORCHESTRA
The Stinkfoot Orchestra is a Bay Area-based 14-piece ensemble dedicated to performing the music of Frank Zappa. Featuring a six-piece horn section, five vocalists, tuned percussion, and collaborations with Zappa alumni including Napoleon Murphy Brock, Ike Willis, and Ray White, the group has earned a reputation across the West Coast for performances that bring Zappa’s technically demanding catalog to life with precision, humor, and theatrical flair.

FROGHAT

Froghat recently uploaded a fine version of Frank Zappa's 'Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus' to YouTube.

And that wasn't the end of the surprise.
www.minnowland.net revealed more exiting music by Froghat, including a sublime surf version of FZ's 'Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance'.

The track made it to three Froghat Bandcamp releases and, again, proved that bands that cover a Zappa tune are worth checking out.

Listen to "Meet Froghat" (with a little album-artwork-nod to The Residents).

DAI KAHT

Dai Kaht, a band from Finland. Obviously inspired by Magma.

This is great !!

-

-- info & more: Danny Mathys 

THE RETURN OF AL DOUM & THE FARYDS

About a week ago, I mentioned two fine albums by Al Doum & The Faryds: "Cosmic Love" (2014) and"Spirit Rejoin" (2018).

In the meantime, my exploration continued with "Freaky People" (2021) and (the brand-new) "Ipnagogico" (2026).

Spiritual exotic jazz.

Perfect to get in a good mood.

-

RECORD COLLECTOR PRESENTS FRANK ZAPPA

Due out in April :

-- info: Andrew Greenaway (on Facebook)
 

FULANO - - - NADIE NOS CONOCE

Fulano released 'Nadie Nos Conoce' on their "Trabajos Inutiles" album in 1997.
The piece is said to be a tribute to Frank Zappa.

 

MEDIABANDA - - - CHILEAN WIKEN AGAIN

Mediabanda's 'Chilean Wikén Again' includes a snippet of a Frank Zappa song.
The piece can be found on their "Entre La Inseguridad Y El Ego"album.
The Zappa reference starts with the bass solo, around 05:30 into the song

-- info: Charly

EIDON - FOUR PATTERNS

a new piece by Eidon:
'Four Patterns'

 

GHOST RHYTHMS - SEPT CERCLES

• Ghost Rhythms: Sept Cercles
      (2008, cd, France, laboratoire d'exploration musicale)

The name Ghost Rhythms' record label says it all: Laboratoire d'Exploration Musicale.
For French band Ghost Rhythms, it's indeed all about the exploration of sounds and rhythms.

That being said, the band does not produce free form experimental music. "Sept Cercles", for instance, presents 9 pieces (10 if you count the hidden track). Instrumental, melodic and well structured modern jazz, with the emphasis on the rhythmic aspect.

Very nice.
An excellent discovery.

-- info & more: Danny Mathys

GARY LUCAS RELEASED "THE EDGE OF HEAVEN VOLUME 2"

On Chinese New Year Feb. 7th 2026 (Year of the Fire Horse), Gary Lucas released “The Edge of Heaven Volume 2,” featuring Chinese vocalist and erhu virtuoso Feifei Yang and multi-instrumentalist Jason Candler;

It's a Digital Music Platform-only release.

 

CRAIG SMITH / MAITREYA KALI - APACHE INCA

• Craig Smith / Maitreya Kali: Apache Inca
      (2025, 2lp + 7”, --, maitreya apache music)

Craig Smith, changed his name to Maitreya Kali in the late 1960s. He recorded and privately released a 2 LP set in 1972 entitled “Apache Inca”.
In fact, these were two separate albums, but they got issued as a 2 LP gatefold release.

The back of the “Apache” record sleeve included a message by Frank Zappa:
“Voodoo Spell” is probably the best item on this tape.
-- Frank Zappa

The album got re-issued in 2019 in the U.S.
Counterfeits have also been spotted. Both on vinyl and on cd:
(2019, 2lp, Germany, little Indians)
(2020, 2cd, Germany, shadoks music)

In 2025, Record Store Day saw a more luxurious re-release with the 2 LP set housed in a slipcase, adding a booklet, an insert and an additional 7” record.

The bandcamp version :

THE DESMOND LEGACY - - - BEYOND "TAKE FIVE"

A beautiful project by Sharp Elven / The Desmond Legacy

-- info: Dirk Verschaeve

HANS ANNELLSSON - VARFÖR HOSTAR BONDEN?

Hans Annellsson just released "Varför Hostar Bonden?"

The album features Jimmy Ågren and Mats Öberg, to name just two of the guests.

NEW ALBUM BY XAVI REIJA ELECTRIC QUINTET

"Nu Breed", new album on MoonJune Records by the Catalan drummer and composer Xavi Reija.

• Xavi Reija – Drums
• Dusan Jevtovic - Electric Guitar
• Tomás Fosch - Fender Rhodes Electric Piano, Mini Moog
• Rafael Garacés – Sax
• Brnat Hernandez - Bass Guitar

Contemporary Spanish electric jazz.

BILL BRUFORD'S EARTHWORKS - LIVE IN SANTIAGO

• Bill Bruford's Earthworks: Live In Santiago
      (2023, cd + dvd)

Featuring Bill Bruford (Drums), Steve Hamilton (Keyboards), Tim Garland (Saxophones, Bass Clarinet), and Mark Hodgson (Acoustic Bass), Bill Bruford's Earthworks band performed in Santiago on September 29, 2002.

Originally released in the 2019 "Complete" box set, this Santiago concert was made available in a CD/DVD package in 2023.
With beautiful artwork by Dave McKean !!

Lovely.

-- info & more: Danny Mathys

GOV'T MULE SPRING TOUR

 

THE STINKFOOT ORCHESTRA PLAYS ZAPPA

The word is out- Stinkfoot Orchestra is playing TWO NIGHTS in Vegas at The Bonfire featuring Frank Zappa alumnus, Napoleon Murphy Brock! Two nights, 4 sets, 2 extend encores and absolutely NO REPEATS!

NEW ALBUM BY FLAT EARTH SOCIETY

The Flat Earth Society Orchestra has just released "Missa Asinorum".
The bandcamp download / streaming version is already available.
The CD / LP release will follow around the 18th of April.

I'm listening while I'm typing this.
Beautiful !!

THE VEGETARIANS - AMPERSAND ON THE BEACH

The Vegetarians (= Hans Annellsson & John Tabacco) have just released "Ampersand On The Beach".

 

dEUS - WORST CASE SCENARIO (30th ANNIVERSARY EDITION)

• dEUS: Worst Case Scenario (30th Anniversary Edition)
      (2026, 2cd, Belgium, piasb1042cd)
      (2026, 3lp, Belgium, piasb1042lp)

After having released two EP's in 1994 ("Zea" and "Suds & Soda"), dEUS released their first album, "Worst Case Scenario" later in the same year.
It got produced by Peter Vermeersch and Pierre Vervloesem.
Soon after the album another two EP's followed: "Via" and "Hotellounge".

All of these EP's did get quite some airplay on Studio Brussel, Belgian national radio, and as a result, most Belgians (at least those who have a good taste in music) can whistle or hum most of these tunes along.

A classic album and the little references will immediately explain where their influences come from.

- ‘Zea Intro Replica’ sampled ‘The Blimp’ (D. Van Vliet), It's The Blimp, Frank !

- ‘W.C.S. (First Draft)’ sampled ‘Little Umbrellas’ (F. Zappa)

This is not the first 'deluxe' re-issue of "Worst Case Scenario" but it fits nicely next to the "In A Bar, Under The Sea (30th Anniversary Edition)", so I consider it essential.

It's The Blimp! It's The Blimp, Frank !

 

NEW ALBUM BY FRENCH TV

French TV's latest CD, "The Spanish Caper", is the 16th in their long history and their 2nd for Cuneiform.

Disc One is new songs recorded in Spain featuring charter member bassist/composer Mike Sary, guitarist Kasumi Yoneda (also from the Japanese band TEE), long-time drummer Jeff Gard, plus members of the French band Mentat Routage (who also make up French TV's line-up when touring Europe).

The second disc is a collection of somewhat-obscure rock covers from the late 60s-early 70s. The line-up on this includes Sary, Yoneda, Gard, plus keyboardist Patrick Strawser (best known for his work in the 90's band Volare).