NEAL SCHON - UNIVERSE

• Neal Schon: Universe
      (2020, cd, USA, straxar)

If you're into instrumental rock guitar music, you definitely need to check out Neal Schon's "Universe" album.
Neal Schon joined Carlos Santana's band at a young age, only to become part of Journey at the age of 19.

"Universe" was Neal's eleventh album. The unlikely aspect of the album is the choice of songs.
Imagine having been a guitar hero all of your life, both as a solo artist and as part of one of the biggest rock bands around. And then you decide to record a bunch of songs that you like. Original material but also songs by Prince, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix,... All as instrumental versions.

Simply brilliant.

Neal Schon: I Believe (S. Wonder)

PINO PALLADINO & BLAKE MILLS - NOTES WITH ATTACHMENTS

• Pino Palladino & Blake Mills: Notes With Attachments
      (2021, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)
      (2021, cd, --, impulse)
      (2021, lp, --, impulse)

Yesterday, I received a digital download copy of "Notes With Attachments", the 2021 album by Pino Palladino and Blake Mills.
The first piece of the album, 'Just Wrong', had me all puzzled. It felt like there were a lot of clues to Frank Zappa's early music / Mothers Of Invention area. Was it the chord structure, parts of the melody, the instrumentation? I still can't lay my finger on it. But it sure got me intrigued.

Did I get the same reaction to the other tracks on the album?
Well, not really, but I did really enjoy the other pieces as well.

 All instrumental.
Experimental, jazz-adjacent, and genre-defying soundscapes.

ROBERT DAVIDSON'S ICONIC PICTURE OF FRANK ZAPPA

Andrew Greenaway posted some excellent news on https://www.zappanews.co.uk/.
Kickstarter coming soon to help Wild Dog Film finish this documentary about Robert Davidson and his iconic photo of Frank Zappa

https://www.wilddogworld.com/zappa-and-me-the-image-that-created-an-icon/

K² - BOOK OF THE DEAD

• K²: Book Of The Dead
      (2004, cd, --, progrock records)

American progressive rock band K² got founded by Ken Jaquesss in 2001 in Los Angeles.
The band released two albums and two DVDs.

Their first album, "Book Of The Dead", featured Allan Holdsworth on the guitar !

Prog rock with an Allan Holdsworth lead guitar fusion injection...

I stumbled upon the below YouTube video by accident and ordered the CD right away.
Awesome.

DIVINE HAND ORCHESTRA - ARIA 51 (PICTURE DISC)

• Divine Hand Orchestra: Aria 51
      (2024, lp picture disc, USA, private release / label51recordings)

Led by Mano Divina Giannone on Theremins and on Tesla Coils, the eleven-piece Divine Hand Orchestra also features Dave Hartl on accordion and organ (who released an album with Frank Zappa tunes in 2019).

“Aria 51” was the ensemble’s fist release.

Subtitled “Songs From The 20th Century Voiced With Singing Electricity” the album offered classical pieces as well as pop songs.
The first piece on the album was FZ’s ‘Peaches En Regalia’.

Made available as a digital / download release on Bandcamp, the album also got issued on CD, on 5 color confetti vinyl LP, and (as I only recently learned) even on picture disc LP.

Here's a promising concert fragment. It's from a while ago already, but as the ensemble is preparing a Zappa tribute album at this very moment, this might be one of the pieces...

 

UNIT WAIL - PETROCHEMICALS CORP.

• Unit Wail: Petrochemicals Corp.
      (2026, cd, France, soleil mutant 65)

 After 7 years, French rock band Unit Wail is back with a new album.
"Petrochemical Corp." is a conceptual album with song titles focusing heavily on the ecological, social, and physical impacts of the petroleum industry.

"Petrochemicals Corp." still maintains strong Zeuhl ties, but the band expands their sound into much heavier and darker musical territory. While their early albums were firmly rooted in Magma-inspired Zeuhl and avant-prog, this fifth release heavily incorporates dystopian atmospheres.

Recommended listening !

-- info: Danny Mathys

PILI COÏT ET LES EXOCRINES

For their latest project, Pili Coït uses King Solomon's "Song Of Songs" as an inspiration.
The duo got expanded and the sound got more complex.

Experimental and fascinating.

AYRON

In September 2025, Tilburg, the Netherlands, was transformed into Ayreon City as six spectacular shows took over the 013 venue. All 15,000 tickets were snapped up within minutes, with fans travelling from an astonishing 71 countries to witness the latest Ayreon live experience.

For one unforgettable week, Tilburg lived and breathed Ayreon. On stage, the setlist spanned three decades of Ayreon history—from beloved fan favourites to songs never performed live before —and featured highlights from Arjen Lucassen’s many side projects, woven seamlessly into the experience.

Ayreon’s 30th-anniversary celebration in Tilburg was a unique moment—etched forever into the hearts and minds of those who experienced it live. Now, the wider world will finally have the chance to step into the Ayreon Universe and experience the magic from the comfort of your own home.

The event marked 30 years since the release of Ayreon’s debut album, The Final Experiment (1995). This massive, state-of-the-art production involved over 100 cast and crew members, featuring a one-of-a-kind stage design, stunning visuals, and spectacular special effects that elevated the show beyond a concert into a true theatrical happening.

PANZERBALLETT TOUR 2026

And they'll even play in Belgium !!

JOE LOVANO - PARAMOUNT QUARTET

• Joe Lovano: Paramount Quartet
      (2026, cd, --, ecm)

The Joe Lovano Paramount Quartet featured Joe Lovano (sax), Julian Lage (guitar), Asante Santi Debriano (bass) and Will Calhoun (drums).

Released on ECM Records, the album showcases Joe Lovano's warm saxophone melodies with Julian Lage’s crystalline guitar work.
Add Asante Santi Debriano’s bass lines and Will Calhoun’s polyrhythmic fills and you get seven beautiful pieces of music.

Contemporary jazz.

-- info: Danny Mathys

ZAPPA '66 Vol. 1

The latest Frank Zappa album, "Zappa '66 Vol. 1" has also been released in Japan.
Even available in Europe.
And as it happens, so is the recent "Whisky A Go Go" set.

PURBAYAN CHATTERJEE & MARK LETTIERI - FEATHERED CREATURES

• Purbayan Chatterjee & Mark Lettieri: Feathered Creatures
      (2026, download / streaming, --, digital music platforms)

Over the nine expansive tracks on "Feathered Creatures", celebrated sitar maestro Purbayan Chatterjee and genre-bending jazz guitarist Mark Lettieri chart a path through myriad subgenres of music – IDM’s skittering breakbeat tension, progressive rock’s epic, flowing sweep, and the entrancing lushness of Indian classical music – making for a true sonic journey that’s remarkable in its effortlessness. Chatterjee and Lettieri make boldness sound easy on "Feathered Creatures", and as a result their work sounds like two interlocking pieces of one brilliant puzzle.

The bones of "Feathered Creatures" were already being excavated by Chatterjee, as he’d been hard at work on some of the music featured on the record before meeting Lettieri near the end of 2023. The pair first came in contact as jazz fusion collective Snarky Puppy’s tour schedule rolled through India, which resulted in Chatterjee sitting in for a performance or two. “He played a couple songs with us and I was totally blown away by his skill,” Lettieri recalls. “I’d never really heard sitar played like an electric guitar. I immediately cornered him in the green room and was like, ‘You got to show me how you do that.’”

I've only heard a couple of tracks YouTube, but this sounds excellent.

INTIGE TALUURE - BANANAFISHING

14 paintings, 36" x 36";
Each cut into 9 12" squares;
Which totals to 126 unique album covers.

Here's one of the larger paintings, also depicting 9 album covers :

• Intige Taluure: Bananafishing
      (2026, lp + bonus cd, Belgium, bananafishin’ records 015)

The driving force behind Intige Taluure is two persons: Jean-Marie Mievis and Kim Duchateau.
Their music is unpredictable (to say the least) and "Bananafishing" is no exception.

From ethereal scenes to eclectic pieces, "Bananafishing" presents 5 tracks. The title track has to be played at 45 rmp and takes up the entire side A. The four remaining songs on side B are at 33 rpm

Theatrical. Experimental.
Songs but also spoken word sections.
A variety of guest vocalists.
Diverse instrumentation and an organ / synth sound that makes me think of The Residents.

This is an amazing record.

NEW ALBUM BY STICK MEN

A message from Stick Men

Stick Men Returns: Let's THRAK Again
The 10-year wait is over. Pre-orders begin today.



Today is June 5th, and we are opening pre-orders for the first full-length Stick Men album in ten years: "Let's THRAK Again". But before we talk about the music, we need to celebrate something monumental. Tomorrow, June 6th, is Tony Levin's 80th birthday.

Tony has spent decades anchoring some of the most iconic rhythm sections in music history, but Stick Men is his personal vehicle, his main band, his passion project, and a creative home where he completely shines on the Chapman Stick. There is no better way to honour Tony's incredible legacy and his entry into his eighth decade than by helping this music step completely out of the shadows.

Here is how we can celebrate Tony together:
When tomorrow hits, flood social media with your birthday wishes. Let's make some noise for him! When you post your congratulations, use the hashtag #LetsTHRAKAgain and share the link to our new website, stickmenband.com. Tell the world that Tony is turning 80 and celebrating by dropping a massive, boundary-pushing new record with his own band. Let’s get this trending for him.

The Evolution of the Trio

Now in our 16th year in this formation, the band has grown immensely.
Let's THRAK Again lives deeply within the spiritual world where King Crimson compositions dwell, even pulling in specific motivic elements from the classic THRAK album. We describe it as instrumental chamber music, but the chamber is enormous, loud, dark, and experimental. We purposely designed and arranged these pieces to be performed live as a raw trio, without leaning heavily on electronic safety nets. It is intricate, beautiful, and in your face.

"Repeated listening will be absolutely necessary to fully grasp everything happening beneath the surface."

The Tale of Two Reels

We aren't just releasing one version of this album. We are releasing two entirely distinct experiences mixed by two different Italian masters: Reel One (mixed by Stefano Castagna) and Reel Two (mixed by Fabio Trentini).
These aren't just slightly tweaked audio files. They feature completely different mixes and entirely different track orders. Let each reel wash over you as its own separate journey. The shifting track sequences and sonic architectures allow an entirely different emotional landscape to unfold.

 

THE FURIOUS BONGOS - BROWN MOSES (DEDICATED TO IKE WILLIS)

 

200 MOTELS PREVIEW

Later this month, "200 Motels" will be performed in Geneva, Switzerland.

Here's a short preview:

MIKAEL NORSTEDT - CHRISTIAN BJERRING - FREDRIK ERIKSSON - FILIP FJELLSTRÖM - OH IN THE SKY

Mikael Norstedt: vocals, bass
Christian Bjerring: guitar, mixing
Fredrik Eriksson: keys
Filip Fjellström: drums

DWEEZIL ZAPPA - - - LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON

 

ALLAN HOLDSWORTH - ROAD GAMES

• Allan Holdsworth: Road Games
      (2003, cd ep, --, gmma)

Jazz fusion guitar great Allan Holdsworth released “Road Games” in 1983 (!!). The album featured Chad Wackerman on drums and mentioned Frank Zappa and Mark Pinske in the Thank You section.
You can read more about that here:
https://threadoflunacy.blogspot.com/2017/08/16-road-games-1982.html

The EP got re-released on CD in 2003 with slightly altered artwork and still carrying the same names in the Thank You section, but also with liner notes by Eddie Jobson who said:

Frank Zappa described him as “the most interesting guitarist on the planet” – most musicians would agree.
and
It was my privilege to introduce Zappa to the playing of Holdsworth.

Here's a live version of the title track:

• Allan Holdsworth: Guitar
• Jimmy Johnson: Bass
• Chad Wackerman: Drums
• Paul Williams: Vocals

In the meantime, Steve Vai has been involved in championing unreleased Allan Holdsworth live material, including the restored "Complete Yoshi's Shows" !

NEW ALBUM BY EVANESCENCE

The new Evanescence album is called "Sanctuary".
Here's 'Beautiful Lie':

 

NEW PRINCE ALBUM ANNOUNCED

"Timeless" is a brand-new 10 track compilation featuring rare and unreleased studio recordings from Prince's legendary vault.

NOLAN COOK'S NIFNAR PROJECT JUST RELEASED ITS FIRST SINGLE

Nolan Cook ;whom you remember as the guitar player for The Residents, has a new project: NIFNAR.

NIFNAR just released 'I'll Give You One Day To Remember'.

Recommended listening !

NEW ALBUM BY ZU

 Zu has a new album out, "Ferrum Sidereum".
2 LP and/or CD.
Out on the House Of Mythology record label.

NEW FRANK ZAPPA RADIO SHOW ALBUM ANNOUNCED

L.A. 1984

On the Homespun label.
To be released in July.

NEW MUSIC BY EIDON

'Tawi & Nakht'
by Eidon

 

TU-NER - - - NEW ALBUM AND TOUR DATES

• Tu-Ner: Rendezvous Rodeo
      (2026, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)

Tu-Ner is

• Trey Gunn - 10-String Warr Guitar
• Markus Reuter - Touch Guitars T8
• Pat Mastelotto - Drums and Percussion

And they have just announced the release of their third album, "Rendezvous Rodeo".
Due out on July 31, but we can already enjoy some music through Bandcamp.
Eventually, the album will also be released on CD !

Masters of improvised music, Tu-Ner also reworked King Crimson tunes for "Rendezvous Rodeo".

1. Hogtied and Slightly Slack (Gunn, Reuter, Mastelotto) – 4:20
2. The ConstruKCtion of Light (Fripp, Belew, Gunn, Mastelotto) – 5:50
3. Firepower Coda (Fripp, Gunn, Sylvian) – 4:35
4. Cusp (Reuter, Levin, Mastelotto) – 4:53
5. The Mechanical Bride Wore Static (Gunn, Reuter, Mastelotto) – 4:54
6. Kuma (Gunn) – 5:21
7. Absinthe and A Cracker (Gunn, Mastelotto) – 8:27
8. Paper Halo Rodeo (Gunn, Reuter, Mastelotto) – 7:26
9. Unconditional (Reuter) – 12:10
10. Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, Part 4 (Fripp, Belew, Gunn, Mastelotto) – 12:09
11. Level 5 (Fripp, Belew, Gunn, Mastelotto) - 7:19

Upcoming concerts :

07/28/2026 - Old Saybrook, CT @ The Kate
07/29/2026 - Woodstock, NY @ The Colony
07/30/2026 - Northampton, MA @ Iron Horse
08/09/2026 - Hudson Falls, NY @ Strand Theater
08/10/2026 - Sellersville, PA @ Sellersville Theater
08/11/2026 - Annville, PA @ The Allen Theatre
08/12/2026 - Pittsburgh, PA @ City Winery

MEN & VOLTS - SUMMER 1984

• Men & Volts: Summer 1984
      (2026, download / streaming, --, bandcamp) – 2026 06 04

David Greenberger adds:
Most of these recordings, when finished, were slated to be part of the band's planned fourth album, "Boomtown". Unissued at the time, it was finally released as part of the "Honeymoon Luggage" box set in 2016. A few of the songs were re-recorded for what ultimately did become the band's fourth album, "The Mule".

PROJECT Z IN CONCERT

https://coliseulisboa.com/eventos/project-z-we-can-do-that-on-stage-anytime/

Lisbon, Portugal

 

ARF DOSSIER VOL. 127

Issue no. 128 should already be on its way to the Arf Society members / subscribers, but let me quickly tell you what was in issue no. 127:

• Mike Keneally on the upcoming 200 Motels performance in Geneva
• The Hot Platters Heaven From The Arf Office (= the new FZ releases)
• Jörg Wulf looks back at the recent MOSAE ZAPPA festival
• Andrew Greenaway discusses the Big Hit Singles that featured contributions by former Zappa band musicians
• Daniel Ostvold talks about the Frank Zappa Cartoon book
• The Rare Pictures Gallery
• An interview with Craig Twister Steward
• News from the Arf Society
• Yours truly giving a recap of what's been on this blog the last couple of months
• And Ulli giving some more Zappaesque Insider News

VARIOUS ARTISTS - CAPTAIN SAYS ETC...

• Various Artists: Captain Says Etc…
      (2026, cd, Belgium, bananafishing records 015 ½)

Last Sunday, I attended the record release party for Intige Taluure's latest release: "Bananafishing".
Fun, as always.

More on the actual album later, but the "Bananfishing" LP included an excellent bonus cd, showcasing different bands that are linked to the Bananafishing record label.

1. Lar Va – Acapella Mix
2. Girls Boxing On A Rooftop – New York Mix
3. Lili Nagapuss – Sportz 40°33’55.92” N, 14°14’18.67” E
4. Koen Brouwers – Bananafishing
5. Plus Instruments – Bananafishing
6. The Lama Home Band – Blue Thief Behind The Hedge
7. Lar Va – Banana Shopper
8. Without Gary – Acid Party Mix
9. Sinbad Glick & 3 Layers Of Fabulosh (ft. The Upsala Blase Orkester) – Tiger I Min Väst
10. Intige Taluure – Sing Song Mix

Here's an Intige Taluure concert clip from earlier this year.

AN UPDATE FROM DWEEZIL ZAPPA

a message from Dweezil Zappa

Hello Everyone,

I'm hitting the road again from October 22nd - December 5th and I'm celebrating 20 YEARS of Keeping My Father's Music Alive!

The "Like Father - Like Son" tour is going to be unique. This tour is even more personal for me and I'm approaching the music differently this time.

I want to showcase the nuanced elements of my dad's skill as a composer, guitarist and arranger by way of a less is more approach. I want to unravel some layers so I can shine a light on some of the most special details in his music.

I plan to recreate the energy of the early club days when he had a smaller band. This time the focus is a funkier, looser feel to songs from every era, with unique arrangements to fit the 5 piece ensemble.

Of course there will be fan favorites but you will hear them differently than any other tour. I'm revving up my guitar skills so I can explore as much new terrain as possible!

"The Rocking 5 Piece Teenage Combo"

• Dweezil Zappa - Guitar and Vocals
• Scheila Gonzalez - Sax, Keys and Vocals
• Ryan Brown - Drums and Vocals
• Kurt Morgan - Bass and Vocals
• Bobby Victor - Keys and Lead Vocals

There will also be some fun surprises and songs we've never played! TICKETS GO SALE THIS FRIDAY!


VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP

There's also an AMAZING collaboration with PEEX for an immersive VIP experience. I never thought this would be possible but the technology is here and it's a game changer for live concert audio experiences!

If you've ever wondered what it would be like to hear what we hear on stage in our in ear monitors during the show, NOW YOU CAN!

There are two ways this will work:

Version 1 offers access to the sound check only, where you can listen through a pair of headphones provided at the venue while using your phone as a mixer - through the PEEX APP.

The MACK DADDY BALLER version 2, upgrades only 4 VIP ticket holders status to STAGE LEVEL!

You'll be able to hear the soundcheck with the PEEX APP but you'll also be able to come to the side of the stage during the second half of the show for a closer look/listen.

As a special bonus, at the end of the show you will join me and the band on stage for the final bow and have your picture taken in front of the audience so you can prove you were there!

(PEEX APP - ideally downloaded beforehand but assistance at the venue is planned as well)

If you like this idea, make sure you don't miss your chance to turn up the drums or the guitar so you can hear things to your preference with maximum detail and even join us on stage!

Check my website for VIP links in your city. (All tickets and VIP sales begin this Friday)

https://www.dweezilzappa.com/

SUN RA - DO THE IMPOSSIBLE - ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK

"Do The Impossible: Original Soundtrack To The Documentary"
by Sun Ra

 Available on Bandcamp,
as a 2 LP set on purple coloured vinyl plus a blu-ray (with the documentary);
and as a 2 CD set plus the blu-ray.

DWEEZIL ZAPPA TOUR DATES