THE GEORGE DUKE BAND IN CONCERT, 1979

The George Duke Band
Théatre de l'Empire. March 25, 1979

• George Duke - Keys
• Byron Miller - Bass
• Ricky Lawson - Drums
• Sheila Escovedo - Percussion, vocals
• Napoleon Murphy Brock - Vocals
• Lynn Davis - Vocals
• Josie James - Vocals
• David Myles - Guitar

THE FALL - CEREBRAL CAUSTIC

The Fall's 1995 "Cerebral Caustic" album has been re-issued both on black and on yellow / brown marble vinyl.
The album includes 'I'm Not Satisfied' (F. Zappa)

There's also a "Cerebral Caustic" 5 CD box set that, next to album, also features an additional, rough mix version of the Zappa piece.

GREG HOWE EUROPEAN TOUR

Greg Howe has a European tour scheduled !

https://www.greghowe.com/#tour

Greg Howe and Mario Freiria

-- info: Dirk Verschaeve

AN UPDATE FROM CHATO SEGERER

 

FLAGEY WILL HOST ANOTHER EDITION OF THE BRUSSELS JAZZ FESTIVAL

It seems that January isn't that far away anymore.

For its twelfth edition, Flagey once again presents an innovative jazz program, open to young European and international talents. This year, the festival welcomes Louise van den Heuvel as artist-in-residence, who will present three new projects.

https://www.flagey.be/en/brussels-jazz-festival-2027-zkl4

BJF27 evening pass | 15.01 | 38 €
Knats (19:30) + Louise van den Heuvel International Quartet (21:00) + Zeitgeist Freedom Energy Exchange (22:30)

BJF27 evening pass | 16.01 | 38 €
Brahja Trio (19:30) + Kassa Overall (21:00) + daltonists (22:30)

BJF27 evening pass | 20.01 | 38 €
Tomeka Reid Quartet (19:30) + Amir ElSaffar New Quartet (21:00) + Elf Traps (22:30)

BJF27 evening pass | 21.01 | 38 €
Sonic Hug (19:30) + Jaubi (21:00) + Floss (22:30)

BJF27 evening pass | 22.01 | 38 €
Anaphora (19:30) + ØKSE (21:00) + Echoes of Zoo (22:30)

BJF27 evening pass | 23.01 | 35 €
Ibiyewa (19:30) + Kahil El'Zabar's Ethnic Heritage Ensemble: Tribute to Don Cherry (21:00)

ED PALERMO GOT INTERVIEWED BY THE ROCKLOVE MAGAZINE PODCAST

Ed Palermo at The RockLove Magazine Podcast

ROB MAZUREK & THE EXPLODING STAR ORCHESTRA

Two digital albums arrived in my mailbox recently. Both by Rob Mazurek and his Exploding Star Orchestra.

• Rob Mazurek / Exploding Star Orchestra: Live At The Adler Planetarium
      (2024, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)
      (2024, cd, --,international anthem recording co iarc0087) - also out on LP

• Rob Mazurek / Exploding Star Orchestra: Spectral Fiction
      (2024, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)
      (2024, cd, --, corbett vs. dempsey cvsd cd104)

Conceived in 2005 as a vehicle to unite the various threads of Chicago’s improvised music scene, the Exploding Star Orchestra serves as Rob Mazurek's "mothership"—the conceptual and philosophical core of his expansive, cross-disciplinary art.
A psychedelic fusion of avant-garde jazz, cosmic electronics, minimalist classical textures, and global rhythms. 

If you like Sun Ra, or The Art Ensemble Of Chicago, you have to check them out !!

-

AN ED PALERMO UPDATE

October 24 at The Falcon:
The Ed Palermo Big Band

NEW SUN RA COMPILATION ALBUM OUT ON BANDCAMP

Sun Ra And His Arkestra
"Elleptical Orbits"

A set of works recorded by Sun Ra & His Arkestra ca. 1965 in New York. Some of these tracks originated at sessions which produced the albums The Magic City and The Heliocentric Worlds of Sun Ra. Most of these tracks were previously issued on various independent labels. All tracks have been newly mastered.

The Bandcamp link:

-- info: Jan van Kemenade

J.M. SMIG - MENTAGERIE

New music by J.M. Smig !!

Next to 'Forty-Eight And A Day', from 2017, J.M. Smig's "Mentagerie" also present three recent pieces of music.

FREAK OUT AND MORE

Saturday had two surprises for me.
Not only did I receive the (delayed) ZAPPAtite package, but the FREAK OUT package arrived as well.

-

GU-RU

I received these little snippets of music by GU-RU in my reels while scrolling Facebook.
In this particular case, I'm glad that the algorithm worked.

KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD - FLIGHT B741

• King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard: Flight B741
      (2024, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)
      (2024, cd, --, )

After "Alien Metal", the latest KG&TLW album, I absolutely needed some recalibration.
"Flight B741" is a 2024 album by King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard.
More 1970s rock oriented.
Love it.

Tapping into the country-fried 70s American rock on which they were all raised – along with the ornery garage-rock roots from which their mighty discography sprang – Flight b741 is lightning caught inside a bottle. Across its 10 ragged, glorious barnburners, King Gizzard flesh out rough skeletons of songs with their inspired improvisations, inimitable grooves and a unique pass-the-mic approach to vocals that saw every member of the band raise their voice and sing. “We’re having a lot of fun, but we’re often singing about some pretty heavy shit,” Mackenzie adds, “and probably hitting on some deeper, more universal themes than usual. It’s not a sci-fi record, it’s about life and stuff. But the record is like a really fun weekend with your mates, you know? Like, proper fun.”

ANDY SHEPPARD - SALT CATCHERS

• Andy Sheppard, Rita Marcotulli, Michel Benita: Salt Catchers
      (2026, cd, --, ecm)

British saxophonist Andy Sheppard returns with "Salt Catchers", a collaboration with Italian pianist Rita Marcotulli and French double bassist Michel Benita.
No guitars, no drums, just saxophone, piano and double bass.

Beautiful but also sounding almost sad, with Carla Bley's 'Lawns' fitting in perfectly alongside Andy Sheppard's original pieces.

-- info: Danny Mathys

MAGMA - LIVE

• Magma: Live
      (2017, 2cd, France, seventh rex X-XI)

My recent trip to Brussels added two Magma albums to the shelves. Next to the "Retrospectiw I-II-III" set, I also bought the "Live" 2 CD set. It's re-issue of the 1975 2 LP set with two bonus tracks.

Remastered and in a beautiful digipak.
And a superb concert.
Recorded in 1975 at L'Olympia in Paris, France, and featuring two keyboard players, Benoît Widemann and Jean-Paul Asseline), a (at the time) new bass player (Bernard Paganotti), the mesmerizing Kobaïan vocals of Klaus Blasquiz and Stella Vander, and, of course, violinist Didier Lockwood and bandleader Christian Vander.

This remastered re-release is from 2017 !
Out on the Seventh record label.

TERJE RYPDAL - CONSPIRACY

• Terje Rypdal: Conspiracy
      (2020, cd, --, ecm)

Having released "Melodic Warrior" in 2013, Norwegian guitar maestro Terje Rypdal only returned to the studio in 2019 to record "Conspiracy".

Blasting through the speakers of the United Mutations Headquarters at this very moment, this album is right up my alley.
Rypdal teamed up with keyboardist Ståle Storløkken, drummer Pål Thowsen, and bassist Endre Hareide Hallre. Together, they craft a beautifully dark, meditative, and texturally rich environment.

Terje Rypdal's long and weeping notes have a sharp edge to them. Not in an aggressive way, but perfect to give them extra emphasis. What a great sound.

At just 35 minutes, "Conspiracy" is a short, punchy album.
It will absorb you.
Recommended listening.

-- info: Danny Mathys

GEOFFREY BURLESON - BEBOP TANGO (F. ZAPPA)

MOSTLY MODERN FESTIVAL
Skidmore College, Arthur Zankel Music Hall
Saratoga Springs, New York (USA)
6/10/2026

 

MORE INFO ON THE RESIDENTS' "ESKIMO FOLK TALES"

The Residents return with an all-new EP - Six new pieces picking up where their 'Eskimo' masterpiece left off!

In the 1970s, as The Residents worked on their Eskimo masterpiece, their mentor The Mysterious N. Senada sent them a collection of handwritten Inuit folk tales, suggesting they incorporate them into the album. But the group shelved them, having gathered more than enough stuff themselves by that point, leaving them to gather dust.

Here and now, almost 50 years later, The Residents have revived those folk tales as part of their forthcoming 'Eskimo' live performance, blending them with familiar elements of the original 'Eskimo' album and new music to produce the soon-to-be-classic show.

Here is a studio recording of those new songs, alongside read-along stories, as written down by Senada almost half a century ago.

This is not a new side of 'Eskimo', but a modern interpretation of material which might, in another universe, have found its way onto the original.

ANDY EDWARDS INTERVIEWS NAPOLEON MURPHY BROCK

 

KVÅRK

KVÅRK are a four-piece instrumental progressive metal band from Marseille, France, building long-form journeys from rhythmic dislocation, death-metal weight and atmospheric transformation.
Originally created as a studio collaboration between longtime friends and guitarists Eric Lamblot and Christophe Gervasi, the project released the five-track EP "Here Comes Trouble" through Tentacles Industries in 2020.

The subsequent expansion into a full quartet fundamentally changed the scale and physicality of the music. Four distinct instrumental voices now interact in real time, turning a composition-led studio project into a collective organism.

Their forthcoming debut album, "The Astral Maze", documents that transformation. Its pieces move between rhythmic instability, dissonant experimentation, oppressive weight and sustained atmosphere, allowing tension, repetition and movement to perform the role usually assigned to a vocalist.
“Lost in a Quiet Place” is the first track revealed from 'The Astral Maze'.

OZRIC TENTACLES - HARMONIC MIND

• Ozric Tentacles: Harmonic Mind
      (2026, cd, --, kscope)

There are few constants in the psychedelic underground, but for over four decades, The Ozric Tentacles, have remained an unwavering beacon of cosmic exploration.
"Harmonic Mind", their latest release is another excellent instrumental space jazz album.

Recommended !

Ozric Tentacles are an English instrumental rock band, whose music incorporates elements from a diverse range of genres, including psychedelic rock, progressive rock, space rock, jazz fusion, electronic music, dub music, world music, and ambient music. Formed in Somerset in 1983, the band have released over 30 albums selling over a million copies worldwide despite never having signed to a major recording label. Throughout many line-up changes over the years, co-founder and guitarist Ed Wynne has remained the only original member of the band. The band is now credited as one of the major influences of the UK festival scene's re-emergence, becoming particularly associated with the Glastonbury Festival and their handmade series of cassette releases, mostly sold at gigs and through a fan club.

-- info: Danny Mathys

KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD - ALIEN METAL

• King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard: Alien Metal
      (2026, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)

Released about a month ago, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard's "Alien Metal" is quite different from their previous albums.
Not the complex progressive metal that we've enjoyed in the past, but a complete (modular synthesizer) electronic album.
I admire the urge to experiment, but this is not really my cup of tea...

MAGMA - RETROSPEKTIW I–II–III

• Magma: Retrospektiw I-II-II
      (2021, 3cd, France, seventh rex 15/16/17)

I bought a copy of Magma's "Retrospektiw I-II-III" at a Brussels record shop a couple of days ago.

Originally released as two separate live albums in 1981 (the double LP "Retrospektïẁ I-II" and the single LP "Retrospektïẁ III)".

The primary source material for this release comes from three legendary consecutive nights—June 9, 10, and 11, 1980—at the Olympia Theatre in Paris. These concerts were explicitly organized to celebrate Magma’s 10th anniversary, serving as a massive homecoming that reunited core classic members and past alumni (including a staggering line-up featuring Bernard Paganotti, Didier Lockwood, Klaus Blasquiz, and Benoît Widemann).
While the bulk of the tracks are culled directly from these live recordings, there is a fascinating archival exception as this compilation includes a rare, 15-minute studio piece: 'Retrovision (Prima Materia)', captured as a pre-production mockup at Studio Ramsès on January 24, 1980. This acts as a fascinating time capsule, showing a piece Christian Vander had attempted to record for Attahk but never officially finalized in a studio format. Furthermore, history notes that while the tracks originated live on the Olympia stage, the final 1981 releases underwent meticulous studio overdubbing to refine and perfect the intricate vocal arrangements.

Beautiful.
Another fascinating piece of the Magma discography.

AN UPDATE FROM THE RESIDENTS

Eskimo Exploratorium!

Oh hey!

As the Fall arrives here in the northern hemisphere and the sun begins to drop towards the horizon, we bring you another update from the shared desk of New Ralph Too and The Cryptic Corporation. The Residents, you'll be happy to hear, are well. As ever, they're busy on multiple projects simultaneously, defying space and time by being onstage in Japan and in a San Francisco recording studio at the same time and suchlike. We don't know how they do it, but we're happy that they do.

Top of the list – the group's fantastic new 'Eskimo Folk Tales' 10" EP will be released this Friday, September 25th. Five more slices of the 'Eskimo' story, as heard at The Residents' recent shows in Hawaii and Japan. You can find out all about it and pre-order your copy right here:
https://cherryred.co/EskimoFolk.

The group's US 'Eskimo' tour will begin in just a couple of weeks in Chicago too – as ever, you can find dates and ticket information at residents.com/tourdates. European dates are expected to be confirmed and announced in the very near future as well – you'll be the first to hear all about that as and when.

In other news, the brand-new album has been finished and mixed, and The Residents are currently spending some quality time together figuring out a running order, kicking around artwork ideas and trying to find time in their already busy 2027 schedule to release 'The Lonely Wound'. Our best guess is sometime around February. Watch this space!

As ever, there's always more to say. But for now, we'd like to draw your attention to this month's giveaway, and it's a keeper. Back in October 2014, The Residents oversaw (and may or may not have performed) a live mix of the 'Eskimo' album at San Francisco's 'Exploratorium'. It was a wonderful, if chilly, evening, and of course The Residents caught it all on tape, then instantly forgot all about it. But HERE it is, revived and restored for your listening pleasure. Enjoy!


Your Pals @ New Ralph Too

PANZERPAPPA - EXERCISES IN STYLE - VOLUME 2

The physical version (= the CD) of Panzerpappa's "Exercises In Style - Volume 2" has been delayed but the complete digital Bandcamp version is already available on Bandcamp !

THE FREAK OUT HOT SPOTS MAP

Check this out !

https://freakoutmap.com/

VARIOUS ARTISTS - MY HUMAN DIGS ME BLUES

• Various Artists: My Human Digs Me Blues - Blues Cats from NOW to the 23rd century
      (2026, download / streaming, --, discus music / bandcamp)

With an official release date of October 1, the complete digital download of "My Human Digs Me Blues" was already made available earlier today.

And what a fun album it is.

I guess that the album title is a little nod to Captain Beefheart's 'My Human Gets Me Blues', a piece of music that would have fit this compilation perfectly.
And what a fun collection of tracks it is. I'm familiar with some of the artists, but most of the names are unknown to me. The download comes with 75 page (!) booklet, perfect if you want additional info to dig in deeper.

Released by the Discus Music record label which means that the physical copies of this 2 CD set can be ordered in the UK (from Discus), in mainland Europe (from No Mans Land in Berlin), and in the USA (from Cloud Over Jupiter) without any customs hassles.

A mentioned earlier, "My Human Digs Me Blues" is the second installment of three.
The first release being “ZZAJ: Jazz From the 23rd Century” (2022).

Anyway, you need to check this album out.
Essential listening !

ORIGINAL MOVIE SOUNDTRACK - MONDO HOLLYWOOD

• Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Mondo Hollywood
      (2012, lp, UK, reel time)

Originally released in 1967, the "Mondo Hollywood" soundtrack to re-released on CD (2011) and on LP (2012) by the Reel Time records label.

The album cover features Carl Franzoni and Vito Paulekas, L.A. freaks that were also featured in the movie.

HIBUSHIBIRE - PHANTOM FUZZY EXOTIC

Japanese psychedelic rock trio Hibushibire got founded in 2012 by guitarist Chang Chang (= Kohei Takakura).

The band’s name, Hibushibire, comes from an old Japanese slang term that can be roughly translated as ‘freak-out orgasm’. It was also the name of their first album, released in 2017. It got produced by Acid Mothers Temple’s Kawabata Makoto.

Their 5th studio album got released in 2026: “Phantom Fuzzy Exotica’. It included ‘Invocation And Ritual Dance Of The Electric Nonsense’, for which the Bandcamp page added:

Hard psychedelic jazz rock. The title is a little nod to Frank Zappa. 

This is great stuff. Love it !!

Released as a digital download through Bandcamp, the album was also made available in different vinyl variations.

 

-- info: Philippe Lamoot

PANZERBALLETT

Just a little reminder: the Panzerballett tour dates are getting closer:

23.09.2026 FR – Paris, Le Triton
24.09.2026 BE – Ittre, Zik-Zak
25.09.2026 DE – Köln, Euroblast Festival
26.09.2026 DE – Waldbronn, Soundcheck One
27.09.2026 DE – Berlin, Maschinenhaus
28.09.2026 DE – Fürth, Kofferfabrik
29.09.2026 AT – Wien, Porgy & Bess
02.10.2026 DE – München, Jazzclub Unterfahrt

STEPHEN STEINBRINK

In 2018, Stephen Steinbrink released "Utopia Teased".
The album included a piece entitled 'Zappa Dream'.
Apparently a cover version of song written and previously recorded by Rosie Steffy, telling a surreal,  dreamlike, (zappa-esque ?) story.

Here's Stephen Steinbrink's version, also released on CD and on LP.

 

A NEW PIECE BY EIDON

'Les Ballons Rouges'
by Eidon

 

ANDY EDWARDS - KOZMOZ

• Andy Edwards: Kozmoz
      (2026, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)

Andy Edwards' latest release presents five tracks.
Always worth checking out. If you're only going to listen to two tracks, I can recommend the centerpiece, 'Kozmoz', and the final track, 'Chanan's Lost Blues', featuring Chanan Hanspal.

J.M. SMIG - SWILL LORRAINE / CURCUMA MORTA

J.M. Smig: 

On this day in 2022, I recorded the guitar track for "Curcuma Morta" during a Fingers in the Forest session in Wyman Woods.

"Curcuma Morta" is now combined with "Swiss Lorraine" as a 2-sided single. Previous purchases of separate tracks apply to this re-release.

jmsmig.bandcamp.com/album/swiss-lorraine-curcuma-morta

TEN YEARS AFTER - WOODSTOCK 1969

• Ten Years After: Woodstock 1969
      (2024, cd, --, chrysalis)

I received this digital copy of Ten Years After's "Woodstock 1969" a couple of days ago.

Recorded at the famous Woodstock festival.
At the time, the band had to wait several hours before they could take the stage because of a huge rain storm. During the concert, the humidity caused several technical problems including tuning issues.
But, despite all these difficulties, the band played an electrifying set.
Raw, blues rock with Alvin Lee in the spotlight.

Beautiful (and a piece of history)

-- info: Danny Mathys

ANDREAS RAUSCH - ZAPPAESK

Graphic artist Andreas Rausch has updated his "Zappaesk" book AND translated it in English !

Frank Zappa, A completely fictional story based on true events in the life of Frank Zappa, Surrealism & Philosophy in the work of Frank Zappa, One Size Fits All & Freak Out! This is the Book. This is ZAPPAesk., Zappaesk - In the spirit of Zappa

Originally released as a paperback book in 2005, in German, the book is now available in an English hardcover edition from BoD.

https://buchshop.bod.de/zappaesk-andreas-rausch-9783696780029

I ordered my copy yesterday.
Really looking forward to this.

KAVUS TORABI

From The Metal Collective newsletter:

Kavus Torabi returns with "October by Name", a new solo album from one of the most distinctive voices in modern psychedelic and progressive music.

Best known for his work with Gong, Cardiacs and The Utopia Strong, Torabi has spent decades pushing psychedelic rock into strange, adventurous and deeply personal territory. His solo work brings together psychedelia, progressive rock, avant-garde experimentation and beautifully eccentric songwriting.

"October by Name" continues that journey, delivering an album that feels expansive, otherworldly and unmistakably Kavus Torabi.

-

DWEEZIL ZAPPA - - - JOIN THE MARCH AND EAT MY STARCH

Here's an audio Zappa band live version from 1973 05 12 Boston, MA

Also check out: 

https://www.zappa-analysis.com/join-the-march-and-eat-my-starch.htm

PUBLIC IMAGE LIMITED - ALBUM

P.I.L.'s "Album" is getting re-released on the Elektra label, in the Rhino Reserve series.

Featuring Steve Vai on guitar !

John Lydon would invite warm, eclectic company into the studio in 1986: Steve Vai on guitar, Ryuichi Sakamoto on keys, Ginger Baker behind the kit, and Bill Laswell co-producing. Listen past the leading anti-marketing joke - the vinyl version was called Album, the cassette Cassette, the single Single and the video Video - and you've actually a decent record on your lap here.

GRETCHEN PARLATO - THE WISE ONES

• Gretchen Parlato: The Wise Ones
      (2026, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)
      (2026, lp, --, edition records)
  

When you're last name is Parlato, you know that you'll make some heads turn. Especially on the United-Mutations blog.

Daughter of Dave Parlato (who worked with Frank Zappa on his "Wazoo" and "Lather" projects), Gretchen is a superb jazz vocalist.
She's made quite a name for herself. I shouldn't even be mentioning her famous dad.

"The Wise Ones" is a beautiful album
And you can check it out on Bandcamp !

--info: Jan van Kemenade 

"ZAPPA AND ME" MOVIE UPDATE

Welcome to this latest newsletter for the Zappa and Me movie.
The hot news from the Kickstarter campaign is that we have had some fabulously generous contributions form people and, with the Kickstarter Culture Fund contribution, we have now hit over 15% of our funding target in just over 48hrs - over £5,000! Amazeballs!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/781727606/zappa-and-me

Thanks to everyone who has dipped into their pocket and offered to support our project. We appreciate the generosity and the love for our story.

#ZappaAndMeMovie

SNARKY PUPPY EUROPE 2027 TOUR DATES

JON KIEBON - - - INSIDE OUTSIDE NOW

 

CHARLES MICHAEL - CROSSED OUT

• Charles Michael: Crossed Out
      (2026, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)

Charles Michael's most recent album, "Crossed Out", presents a set of 20 cover versions, recorded between 2019 and 2026.
It includes Charles Michael's version of Frank Zappa's 'Baby Snakes'.

Check it out, right after 'Making Plans For Nigel' !!

GLUELEG - A COLOSSUS WITH CLAY FEET

• Glueleg: A Colossus With Clay Feet
      (2023, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)
      (2026, cd ep, UK, elastic stage)

Originally released on digital music platforms in 2023, Glueleg's "A Colossus With Clay Feet" has now been released on CD.
It includes ‘Peaches En Regalia’ (F. Zappa).

MONDO HOLLYWOOD

• Mondo Hollywood
      (2008, dvd, France, chalet pointu) 

2008 saw the DVD release of "Mondo Hollywood", the 1967 movie by director Robert Carl Cohen.
Released in France. In English with the option for French subtitles.

Not exactly a movie as such, but more a collection of fragments, introducing various people who live(d) in Hollywood.

Feat. Bobby Jameson and his girlfriend at the time Gail Sloatman, and the L.A. freaks / dancing group with Vito Paulekas, Szou, and Carl Franzoni.
It also briefly shows Frank Zappa and Jimmy Carl Black.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mondo_Hollywood

NEEDLEPOINT - REMNANTS OF LIGHT

Revisiting Needlepoint's latest album, "Remnants Of Light'.

Bjørn Klakegg's fragile vocals combined with the melodic, storytelling approach give "Remnants Of Light" its distinctive and recognizable sound.
For fans of the Canterbury scene.

Beautiful.

THE SPACELORDS - URANUS OMNIBUS SANCTUS

• The Spacelords: Uranus Omnibus Sanctus
      (2026, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)
  

German psychedelic rock trio The Spacelords are back.
Havin enjoyed their 2023 "Nectar Of The Gods" album, I'm very happy their brand new "Uranus Omnibus Sanctus".

Delivering heavy, hypnotic space rock, the album presents four expansive, long form instrumental tracks spanning roughly 45 minutes.
The Spacelords managed to find the perfect balance between structured progressive rock and gravity defying, sci-fi jam excursions.

Recommended listening !

IVO PERELMAN, MATTHEW SHIPP, WILLIAM PARKER, BOBBY KAPP - SYNESTHESIA

• Ivo Perelman, Matthew Shipp, William Parker and Bobby Kapp: Synesthesia
      (2026, cd, --, defkaz records)
      (2026, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)

In an attempt to get my brain and mind prepared for some upcoming John Coltrane tributes (Flat Earth Society, but also Aka Moon), I submerged myself into the latest Ivo Perelman, Matthew Shipp, William Parker and Bobby Kapp collaboration, "Synesthesia".

Sure, "Synesthesia" is not a tribute to the music of John Coltrane, but it's a fine example of intense and spontaneous improvisations. Characteristics that can also be found in John Coltrane's music.

Five extended modern jazz tracks. Great interplay. Beautiful.
"Synesthesia". The album title does the music justice !

EIDON - GIOCO A QUATTRO

'Gioco a quattro'
by Eidon

DWEEZIL ZAPPA & JOSH SMITH, TALKING BLUES GUITAR

Really good interview / discussion. Lots of technical details.

& Josh Smith is playing his signature Ibanez FLATV2-MSN guitar.

WARREN CUCCURULLO - THEY'RE EVIL

Former Zappa, Missing Persons (and Duran Duran) guitarist Warren Cuccurullo.

 

ASAF SIRKIS' SOLO PIANO ALBUM IS OUT ON BANDCAMP

As a drummer and percussionist, Asaf Sirkis has performed and recorded with several bands (including Soft Machine !).
The fact that he is releasing a solo piano album was quite a surprise. But a very nice one.

Check it out at on Bandcamp:

NEW ALBUM BY RACHEL FLOWERS

"All That", new album by Rachel Flowers.

Bandcamp download / streaming release, but also out on CD.

Rachel is currently gearing up for her appearance at ProgStock with Estronaut! Estronaut is the first all-female progressive rock band and includes Durga McBroom, Julie Slick, Jane Getter, and Camille Gainer! They will be performing on Friday, October 9th, at 4:30 pm.

Rachel will also be playing some flute at ProgStock, first with incredible guitarist Andy Graziano (who you may know from Jon Anderson's backing band, The Band Geeks) and with the band Nektar! Both of these performances will take place on Thursday, October 8th. 

JEF NEVE - KEY ENERGY

• Jef Neve: Key Energy
      (2026, cd, --, blue keys productions)

Belgian jazz pianist and composer Jef Neve is best known for his expressive, cinematic style blending jazz and classical influences, his work with the Jef Neve Trio, and his award-winning film and television soundtracks.
His latest release, the "Key Energy" solo piano album, presents 11 melancholic and moving pieces.

From Jef's website:

For me, the origin of every composition goes back to a fantasy, a dream image that I often cannot put into words, but where the combination of melody, harmonic colors, and emotional depth points the way to giving the music a life of its own in the most natural way possible. My life is a sum of highs and lows, surprises and disappointments, answered and unanswered life questions, loves and disillusionments. Just like everyone's life, really. Music helps me process things.

On my first solo album, "One," I wrote about how vulnerable or naked I felt, fully responsible for the final musical result. Well, that was 12 years ago: I dare say I have overcome that fear. With that in mind, and with a total of 25 years on stage, traveling the world, and meeting incredible people and places all over the globe, the title of this album came to mind. Embark yourself on a journey where my music and my piano will tell you more than ever, without words.

-- info: André Oomen

JOHN MAYALL - - - 1970 09 11 CHICAGO

A recording of John Mayall's 1970 09 11 Chicago concert recently turned up on the guitars101 dot com website.

Featuring John Mayall (Electric Guitar, Harmonica, Vocals), Harvey Mandel (Electric Guitar), Larry Taylor (Electric Bass), and Don "Sugarcane" Harris (Electric Violin), the concert got broadcast on FM radio at the time.

https://www.guitars101.com/threads/john-mayall-1970-09-11-chicago-il-fm-flac.167342/

-- info: Jan van Kemenade

WARREN HAYNES - - - THE MAKING OF "DREAMS & SONGS"

Warren Haynes' new album will be called "Dreams & Songs".
It features Warren Haynes, The Asheville Symphony Orchestra, and a nice number of collaborators.

Recorded in Warren Haynes’ hometown of Asheville, North Carolina, Dreams & Songs captures a special night of music alongside the 64-piece Asheville Symphony Orchestra. Spanning 16 tracks, this symphonic journey brings new dimension to Warren’s songs while celebrating the place that has shaped so much of his musical life.

The album features a stellar lineup of special collaborators, including Oteil Burbridge, John Medeski, Jeff Sipe, Greg Osby, Edwin McCain and Jasmine Muhammad, with the Asheville Symphony bringing these songs to life on a grand scale.

Available as a limited-edition 3-LP peach vinyl and in CD format, Dreams & Songs is a special piece of Warren’s story and a must-have for any fan.

 

KISS FROM A ROSE

Martin Miller Session Band & Lari Basilio

Vadé 

SATCHAI - - - 2026 05 28 BEACON THEATER NEW YORK

SatchVai
Beacon Theater New York City May 28, 2026 Surfing With the Hydra Tour

JOE SATRIANI & STEVE VAI TO RELEASE THEIR "SATCHVAI - THE SEA OF EMOTION" IN NOVEMBER

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RE#ENCOUNTER - ANGELS & DEMONS AT PLAY

W.E.R.F. records just announced Angels & Demons At Play by re#encounter.

The title track from the ensemble's upcoming album is a fine tribute to Sun Ra !

FROM SAND TO STARDUST

From Sand To Stardust is a French heavy psychedelic rock band.
The trio released an EP and 2024 and is now back with a new single: 'Carving Stone From Space'.

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NEW ALBUM BY JOHN TABACCO

"Sans Lyrics Vol. 4"
by John Tabacco

J.M. SMIG - 9 OJO 6 (2023 REMASTER)

'9 ojo 6 (2023 Remaster)'
from "Hiss In Vinegar [10th Anniversary Remaster]"

by J. M. Smig

ARTIFICIAL (AI) ZAPPA PLAYS PHISH

I know, I know.
But I do think it's funny.
(although I haven't listened to everything yet).

Artificial (AI) Zappa Plays Phish

I started my session by checking out the encore (Phish playing The Dead's 'Terrapin Station' in an arrangement by AI Zappa).

Set I

Set II

Set III

The Encore

FRANK ZAPPA - - - VINTAGE VINYL

In 1981, a U.S. bootlegger released "20 Years Of Frank Zappa", a 12 LP bootleg vinyl box set.
People who were subscribed to Society Pages magazine at the time were the first ones to be informed.

The box got released with two different album covers.

and

All of the 12 LP's also got released separately in silver album covers, hence the name: "the silver edition". Released in a limited edition of 25.

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In 2022, all the material that was presented in the "20 Years" box set got re-released on CD:

For collectors, as all of the material has been made available (for free) through Zappateers.

UTOPIANISTI - HENKI

• Utopianisti: Henki
      (2026, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)
      (2026, 12”, Finland, --)

Utopianisti is Markus Pajakkala’s project. He has just released "Henki", a collection of six intimate and cinematic pieces, performed by Utopianisti & the Tampereen Ihankaikkinen Kuninkaallinen Tuomiokuoro Choir.

Beautiful.

Utopianisti meets a 22-member choir in this 6 song entity. True to its name, "Henki" (spirit) reaches for something hard to put into words. Tightly composed material coexists with improvisation, and the soulful music not only moves across the boundaries of different traditions but also evades genre definitions altogether. The result is a work that is at once delicate and massive: fragile, beautiful moods occasionally grow into hair-raising climaxes, with just the right amount of cacophony mixed in.

Out on Bandcamp and on vinyl.

HARDY FOX - - - DEAD CREATURE - ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK

Released on CD and now also out on Bandcamp:

"Dead Creature - Original Soundtrack" by Hardy Fox, the (late) composer for The Residents.

ZAPPA PODCAST AND PLAYLIST ON VRIJE GELUIDEN

In the (Dutch) series "How so, jazz ?", Kika Sprangers en Koen Graat dive into the jazz corner of FZ's musical universe.

https://www.vpro.nl/vrije-geluiden/artikelen/frank-zappa-en-de-geur-van-jazz

The podcast kicks off with the Wizards Of Ooze. Can't get a better start than that.

NEW ALBUM BY PANZERPAPPA

• Panzerpappa: Exercises In Style – Volume 2
      (2026, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)
      (2026, cd, Norway, private release / panzerpappa)

Drummer and multi-instrumentalist Trond Gjellum's Panzerpappa project will be releasing "Exercises In Style - Volume 2" later this month.

Bandcamp and CD release.
Highly recommended.

ISRAEL STROM - THE BLACK PAGE

 

DWEEZIL ZAPPA'S TOUR UPDATE

 

TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND PERFORMED FZ'S 'WILLIE THE PIMP' YESTERDAY

live at HHC Amphitheater, Bridgeport, CT

Check out Derek Trucks' roaring guitar notes at the start of his solo !!

ZAPPANALE SPECIAL ON THE MUSIC ACROSS RADIO SHOW ON SEPTEMBER 7

 September 7 will see another Zappanale special on the "Music Across" radio show.

MUSIC ACROSS

Jeden 1. Montag im Monat um 21 Uhr
RADIO ORANGE - ORANGE 94.0

https://o94.at/de/sendereihe/413/music-across

https://cba.media/podcast/music-across

Folge 139 – Zappanale 2026 – #1
Frauenpower im Zappa-Universum
Pamela des Barres, Tante Tofu & VKB
07.09.2026, 21 Uhr

Eine detaillierte Inhaltsbeschreibung mit Playlist ist hier zu finden:

https://o94.at/shows/413/music-across/episode/58636/zappanale-2026-1-frauenpower-im-zappa-universum-pamela-des-barres-tante-tofu-vkb

MY HUMAN DIGS ME BLUES - CATS FROM NOW TO THE 23RD CENTURY

A couple of years ago, I mentioned the excellent "ZZAJ - Jazz From The 23rd Century" compilation album.
It was the first of three proposed "various artists" releases in the series “23rd Century Music”.

Well, the second volume has just been announced / released.
"My Human Digs Me Blues - Cats from NOW to the 23rd century"

FRANK ZAPPA - - - MORE VINTAGE VINYL

Just for fun: more vintage vinyl

• Frank Zappa Safe Muffinz
   (LP, TAKRL)
•  Zappa / Mothers / Captain Beefheart: No Bacon For Breakfast Vol. 1
   (LP, NBB)

YUVAL RON - LIVE AGAINST THE VIRUS

"Live Against The Virus", the streaming concert by Yuval Ron Trio from back in the Covid lockdown times, is now available as its own release on Bandcamp.

GOOSE - 2026 09 02 DILLON AMPHITHEATRE, DILLON, CO

Another fine Goose show is up at Bandcamp.

MASSIVE ATTACK / TOM WAITS - BOOTS ON THE GROUND

Massive Attack / Tom Waits - 'Boots on the Ground'

Out on 12".

The proceeds go to charities that campaign for freedom.

THE WRONG OBJECT'S "PLATFORM ONE" OUT ON BANDCAMP

Released on CD by the Jazzprint label in 2007, The Wrong Object's "Platform One" got a digital platform release on the Off Records label earlier this week

Just look at this line-up !!

• Michel Delville: Guitar, Guitar Synthesizer, Electronics
• Annie Whitehead: Trombone
• Harry Beckett: Trumpet, Flugelhorn
• Jean-Paul Estiévenart: Trumpet
• Fred Delplancq: Tenor Saxophone
• Yves Dellicour: Soprano Saxophone, Bass Clarinet
• Frank van der Kooij: Baritone Saxophone
• Damien Polard: Bass, Electronics
• Laurent Delchambre: Drums, Percussion

Icing on this digital cake are the two Zappa pieces.

-- info: Jan van Kemenade

ALAN JENKINS AND THE KETTERING VAMPIRES

Alan Jenkins :

This is a compilation of all the nicest pop songs by Alan Jenkins and the Kettering Vampires. If you listen to this you will tap your feet and feel compelled to hum. There is an, only very slightly different, alternative universe where you hear these songs whenever you go shopping.

A NEW PIECE BY EIDON

'Limen II'
by Eidon

A variation on "Limen I", this second piece is scored for two marimbas and percussion, and also inspired by the book I mentioned in my previous message (Carmen Blacker's "The Catalpa Bow"). Both pieces are meant to be performed sequence-wise, back-to-back, so I invite you to listen to them as a connected pair.

Hope you enjoy!

DARKO THE SUPER - HOW TO PLAY BASKETBALL IN THE RAIN...

Title track from the new Darko the Super self produced album "How to Play Basketball in the Rain and Not Get Wet" out everywhere October 20th, fresh for opening night of the 2026-27 NBA season.

MIKE KENEALLY'S "WINE AND PICKLES" UP ON BANDCAMP

Mike Keneally  just released "Wine And Pickles" on Bandcamp.

It includes a bonus track compared to the original 2008 release.

FRANK ZAPPA - - - MORE VINTAGE VINYL

More vintage vinyl.
Just for fun.

• Zappa: Punky's Whips
  (7", International)
• Frank Zappa: Redunzl / Inca Roads
  (7", Artles - blue vinyl)
• Frank Zappa: Redunzl / Inca Roads
  (7", Artles - red vinyl)

• Frank Zappa: My Name Is Fritz
  (7", ATR 001 - red vinyl)
• Zappa: The Talking Asshole
  (7", Safe Records)
• Frank Zappa: Live In New York
  (7", Safe Records)

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AN ED PALERMO UPDATE

GOOSE - 2026/09/01 RED ROCKS AMPHITHEATER, MORRISON

The third Red Rocks concert by Goose is also up on Bandcamp.

https://www.westword.com/music/photos-goose-closes-out-three-nights-at-red-rocks-40930069/