DIGGING DEEP WITH VAULTMEISTER JOE TRAVERS

 

MEAT LOAF - HANG COOL TEDDY BEAR

• Meat Loaf: Hang Cool Teddy Bear
      (2010, cd, --, mercury)

(The late) Meat Loaf released "Hang Cool Teddy Beer" in 2010.
Lots of guests on this typical Meat Loaf album, including Steve Vai (on ‘Love Is Not Real / Next Time You Stab Me in the Back’ and ‘Song of Madness’), and Brian May (also on 'Love Is Not Real / Next Time You Stab Me in the Back’).

BANDCAMP RE-RELEASE OF THE WRONG OBJECT'S "STORIES FROM THE SHED" HAS A BONUS TRACK

The Wrong Object's 2007 "Stories From The Shed" album has been made available on Bandcamp.
And it includes a bonus track: a 10-minute live version of 'The Unbelievable Truth' !

NEW ALBUM BY THE ECLECTIC MAYBE BAND

New album by the Eclectic Mayby Band, Guy Segers' progressive music project.

"Domestic Dragon",
out in July,
on the Discus Music record label.
Bandcamp & CD release.

Once again studio master / composer / bassist Guy Segers assembles a huge cast of progressive musicians to perform / improvise 8 new pieces. Guy's methods of composition and collage remain as before, but each new Eclectic Maybe Band release brings a new perspective to the music. This time round harder, more brittle sounds emerge from an album with a very punchy attitude. A mixture of avant pop and progressive complexity.

BEAT PLAYS BOWIE

In concert in Berlin.

SUN RA'S "EAST TWO + 7" IS OUT

 'East Two' + 7 other tracks.
The CD got released a couple of days ago.

FRENCH TV - THE SPANISH CAPER

• French TV: The Spanish Caper
      (2026, cd, USA, cuneiform rune 544/545)

The Cuneiform record label has released a beautiful 2 CD album by Louisville-born avant-prog veterans French TV.
Disc One offers complex instrumentals written in Northern Spain, while Disc Two delivers an obscure collection of late-60s/early-70s heavy-rock and psych covers.

Disc One sounds great, but check out this great list of tracks on Disc Two.
There's a lot of nice things to discover here !

Disc Two

1. 20th Century Man (R. Davies)

2. Nantucket Sleigh Ride (to Owen Coffin) (F. Pappalardi, G. Collins) = Mountain

3. Goin' a Little Crazy (B. Cummings, K. Winter) = The Guess Who

4. Fresh Garbage (J. Ferguson) - Spirit

5. Butterfly Bleu (D. Ingle, L. Dorman, R. Bushy) = Iron Butterfly

6. Deadman's Dream (G. Brooker, K. Reid) = Procol Harum

7. Take a Look Around (J. Walsh) = James Gang

8. Funky Judge (A. Williams, L. Hutton) = Bull & The Matadors

9. Freedom Rider (S. Winwood)

10. Days and Nights (S. Hill, W. Ham) = Bloodrock

11. A Million Miles Away (R. Gallagher)

12. Renegade (J. McKay, G. McJohn, G. Biondo) = Steppenwolf

CHEER-ACCIDENT - YOU SMILE - THE SONG IS OVER

• Cheer-Accident: You Smile – The Song Is Over
      (2026, download / streaming, --, bandcamp / cuneiform)
      (2026, cd, USA, cuneiform)

Cheer-Accident's "You Smile – The Song Is Over" is sprawling, hour-long avant-prog masterpiece.
It marks the Chicago group's 27th studio release, or even their 37th release if you count every album in their vast output.
Made available on the legendary Cuneiform Records, "You Smile - The Song Is Over" offers dense, adventurous math-rock next to experimental (almost pop) songs and meditative soundscapes.

While the deluxe edition of the album bundles the CD with a DVD of live performances, the Studio Album Only Bandcamp version strips the package down to its core 11-track studio narrative, adding  an edited version of 'They Won't Talk To Me' as a bonus track.

Pure Avant-Prog / RIO (Rock in Opposition) / Math-Rock.
Love it.

-- info: Danny Mathys

RAY MARCHICA WITH EDDY'S CHEMISTRY SET TO PERFORM AT BIRDLAND ON JUNE 28

Ray Marchica is one of New York City’s most versatile and accomplished drummers. Drawing from his extensive musical world he will be bringing Eddy’s Chemistry Set, the smaller ensemble from the renown Ed Palermo Big Band, to join him on the Birdland stage.

https://www.birdlandjazz.com/tm-event/ray-marchica-with-eddys-chemistry-set/

Oz Noy, Ray Marchica, Ugonna Okegwo

THE MUSIC ACROSS RADIO SHOW

Special Live Broadcast
Live Radio Concert with the Friedemann Dähn Trio – 21 June 2026, 11.00 pm

This time, “Music Across” is broadcasting live from the radio studio on Gaußplatz in Vienna. Our guests in the studio is the Friedemann Dähn Trio. Friedemann “Fried” Dähn has appeared on “Music Across” several times before with various groups, and we’re delighted that he’s back with us live this time with his trio. Great music and interesting conversations are guaranteed, and we’re also happy to take calls from listeners during this live broadcast.

About the Friedemann Dähn Trio:

Together with drummer Bernd Settelmeyer and saxophonist, clarinettist and flautist Carsten Netz, cellist Friedemann ‘Fried’ Dähn has created an ensemble that moves with ease between contemporary jazz, free improvisation and polyphonic sound sculpture, whilst constantly exploring new forms of expression. The trio invites the audience to embark on a musical journey centred on curiosity, openness and immediate experience.

Auf ORANGE 94.0 dem Freien Radio in Wien:
Internet Live Stream: http://o94.at
(click on the green line on the top of the page, the line with the 'play' triangle)

 

PIERRE BOULEZ - ARNOLD SCHOENBERG

The Pierre Boulez series by Sony Classical is joy to discover.
Beautiful packaging and adventurous music.
Today's focus is on Arnold Schoenberg.
It's hard to believe that this music was composed over 100 years ago.

• Pierre Boulez: SCHOENBERG – Serenade – 5 Pieces For Orchestra – Ode To Napoleon
      (1993, cd, --, sony classical smk 48 463)

• Pierre Boulez: SCHOENBERG – Suite, op. 29 – Verklärte Nacht – 3 Pieces
     (1993, cd, --, sony classical smk 48 465)

ANGINE DE POITRINE

Canadian costumed math-rock duo Angine de Poitrine is currently in the middle of a massive international tour. After shooting to internet fame from a viral KEXP performance, the mysterious pair has been touring, playing festivals, and releasing their music worldwide.

For those who are catching up, the duo has released two albums.
Recommended listening.

• Angine de Poitrine: Vol. I
      (2024, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)
      also out on CD and on LP

---

• Angine de Poitrine: Vol. II
      (2026, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)
      also out on CD and on LP

Fun facts: both CDs include an untitled bonus track & both CDs come with a fan club card, hidden behind the tray.

THE CRAMPS - LOOK MOM NO HEAD

The Cramps' "Look Mom No Head" album is getting a re-issue on red vinyl.

The album includes The Cramps' version of 'Hardworkin' Man', a song written by Jack Nitzsche and originally performed by Captain Beefheart (with Ry Cooder on the guitar) for the "Blue Collar" movie.

THE 2ND COMING

Of interest for those how enjoy late sixties psychedelic rock and southern rock music !

The 2nd Coming issued one 7" in 1968.
They also recorded an album but that never got released. Until now, that is.

https://daily.bandcamp.com/features/the-2nd-coming-evaluations-interview

NEW BANDCAMP RELEASE BY ANDREW LATIMER

Guitarist, composer and founding member of Camel, Andrew Latimer.has just released "From The Vault" through Bandcamp.

SENDELICA - AN INTRODUCTION TO SENDELICA

• Sendelica: An Introduction To Sendelica
      (2026, 4cd, UK, fruits de mer)

"An Introduction To Sendelica" is an impressive 4-disc retrospective from the Fruits de Mer Records label.
For fans of hypnotic space rock and psychedelic jazz.

It also includes the band's excellent version of Frank Zappa's 'Don't Eat The Yellow Snow', a track that they had previously released on 7", a split release with Superfjord, from 2017.

A great collection of music and, indeed, a great introduction to Sendelica.

Here's the sneak preview for the Superfjord / Sendelica 7", from 9 years ago.

RICHARD RAY FARRELL & JIMMY CARL BLACK - CATARACT JUMP

• Farrell & Black: Cataract Jump
      (1996, cd, Spain, big bang bb-116-cd)

I didn't know about this Spanish edition of Richard Ray Farrell & Jimmy Carl Black's "Cataract Jump" album.

Originally released in 1996 on the German Fritz Records label.
Re-issued in Spain on the Big Bang record label. Also in 1996.

The album included FZ’s ’Road Ladies’ and Don Van Vliet’s’Sho Nuff N’ Yes I Do’, and sported a different album cover.

The artwork for the (original) German release:

-

CUNEIFORM ANNOUNCED A LIVE RECORDING BY BOUD DEUN

Cuneiform Records just announced "Pronounced Booed Dee-un : Churches : Live Boud Deun at Orion April 5, 1997" by Boud Deun

THE ALMOST THREE - IT'S JUST MUSIC

• The Almost Three: It’s Just Music
      (2020, cd, Germany, pottpeople)
      (2020, lp, Germany, pottpeople)

The Almost Three is familiar with Frank Zappa's output as they already covered a Zappa tune or two.

"It's Just Music, their 2020 album, included a track entitled 'Zoppo', of which I assume that it's a nice nod to FZ.
Not necessarily musically, just the title.

Out on LP and on CD.

BSQRD

BSQRD released a Frank Zappa tribute on her "Yesterday's Tomorrow" album.
From 2013 !

Growing up, our father would make my brothers and I mixed CDs of all my dad's favorite music from the 70s. Every CD he made us had to have Frank Zappa's Mudshark on it, because the Secret Word for tonight is Mudshark!

The track is called 'Secret Word (Tribute To Frank Zappa)' and it samples Frank Zappa.

THE MAN FROM UTOPIA

Nothing can beat Tanino Liberatore's artwork for Frank Zappa's "The Man From Utopia" album, but this Rick Griffin comic book from 1972 (from the comixjoint archives) would also have been nice :-)

https://comixjoint.com/manfromutopia.html

-- info: Danny Mathys

PIERRE BOULEZ - BARTÓK / SCRIABIN

• Pierre Boulez: BARTÓK – The Wooden Prince – Music For Strings, Percussion And Celestra – Dance Suite // SCRIABIN – Le Poeme De L’extase
      (1994, 2cd, --, sony classical smk 64 100)

Today, my musical adventure will start by exploring the works of Béla Bartók and Alexander Scriabin.
Music performed by the New York Philharmonic and by the BBC Orchestra, under the direction of Pierre Boulez.
Released in the beautiful Sony Classical series.

GENT JAZZ FESTIVAL - JULY 2 TO JULY 18, 2026

Gent Jazz,
Ghent, Belgium

July 2 - July 18

https://www.gentjazz.com/line-up

NORAH JONES

Norah Jones Is Playing Along with Ron Carter & Bill Frisell

Norah Jones Is Playing Along with Pino Palladino & Blake Mills

DWEEZIL ZAPPA TALKS PEDALS

 

AK'CHAMEL, THE GIVER OF ILLNESS

 

"ZAPPA AND ME" MOVIE UPDATE

Zappa And Me Movie News
It's one of the most iconic portraits in rock'n roll.
Our film tells that story and the story of Robert Davidson, the photographer who made the portrait.

We started the film back in 2019 and we're hoping to complete it this year with your help and support.

Kickstarter Campaign Launch
Our campaign has been 'approved' and we are now making some final tweaks before a prelaunch.

However, with the football World Cup on, followed by the holidays, we think it is wise (based on some reading and advice) to launch the campaign in September, when we will not be competing for oxygen with the footie.

We plan to use this time to build our network of supporters.

For the Kickstarter to be a success, so that we stand a chance of being able to complete this film, need to grow our project supporter base, so please share the film's webpage with friends and help us spread the word on social media!

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

Seeking Executive Producers
While we wait for the launch of the Kickstarter, we're not planning to lounge about. We're aiming to shoot several key interviews over the summer with Pauline Butcher (Zappa's PA), Chris Welch (Melody Make Journalist) and Piers Secunda (Tony Secunda' son) as well as lining up several other contributors (names to be announced soon!). We also have a filming trip to the Zappanale festival in July planned.

To do all this though, we do need to secure some extra funding. So we are looking for people to invest in the project early and come on board as Executive Producers.

There will be an Executive Producer reward offer in the Kickstarter campaign, but that will not come with the possibility of a share in the film's profits.

Executive Producers who would like to come on board early will be offered a share in film profits, IMDB credits, invitations to the cast and crew screening in London and a bundle of other goodies including signed movies posters etc.

Drop us a line if you can help!

Newsletter Bonus
As a bonus for our newsletter crew, we're really please to share this little snippet from an interview with Candy Zappa (Frank's sister) by Tom Spence on the KVTA Morning Show in California earlier this week. Candy speaks about Zappa and Me.

https://soundcloud.com/wilddogltd/candy-zappa-on-kvta-60-secs

ØRESUND SPACE COLLECTIVE - PROGABLY YOU'RE WRONG

• Øresund Space Collective: Progably You’re Wrong
      (2026, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)

The Øresund Space Collective is famous for three things: they play an instrumental, fully improvised style of psychedelic space rock; they have released over 80 albums to date; and their slashed o messes up the alphabetical system on many hard drives (at least on mine).

Featuring lots of phasing effects and trippy echoes, the label "psychedelic space rock" is not incorrect.

A lot of their albums are also made available on CD and on LP, but you can also check them out on Bandcamp:

-- info: Danny Mathys

SONY CLASSICAL

Does anyone remember this Sony Classical series from the early 1990's?
Performances on contemporary classical music, conducted by Pierre Boulez, with superb album covers and lots of info included?

Searching for additional albums in this series was not easy and it's still far from complete, but I did add some of the below titles on my want list.

• Stravinsky, Pierre Boulez, New York Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra – Pétrouchka / Le Sacre Du Printemps
• Stravinsky, Pierre Boulez, BBC Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic – The Firebird Suite / Pulcinella Suite / Scherzo Fantastique / Suites Nos. 1 & 2
• Ravel - Pierre Boulez – Boléro - Alborada Del Gracioso - Le Tombeau De Couperin - Concerto For The Left Hand - Pavane Pour Une Infante Défunte
• Ravel - Pierre Boulez – Shérérazade / Rapsodie Espagnole / Valses Nobles Et Sentimentales / Ma Mère L'Oye
• Ravel - Pierre Boulez – Ravel Daphnis Et Cloe
• Berg - Pierre Boulez – Chamber Concerto - Three Orchestral Pieces, Op. 6 - Violin Concerto
• Bartók - Pierre Boulez , Scriabin – The Wooden Prince - Music For Strings, Percussion And Celesta - Dance Suite - Le Poème De L'Extase
• Bartók - Pierre Boulez, New York Philharmonic – The Miraculous Mandarin / Four Orchestral Pieces / Three Village Scenes
• Schoenberg - Pierre Boulez - John Shirley-Quirk, David Wilson-Johnson, Ensemble Intercontemporain, BBC Symphony Orchestra – Serenade - 5 Pieces For Orchestra - Ode To Napoleon
• Schoenberg - Pierre Boulez, Members Of The Ensemble InterContemporain* – Suite, Op. 29 / Verklärte Nacht / 3 Pieces
• Messiaen / Stravinsky - Pierre Boulez – Et Expecto Resurrectionem Mortuorum, Couleurs De La Cité Céleste / Symphonies Of Wind Instruments
• Mahler - Pierre Boulez - Evelyn Lear, Elisabeth Söderström, Grace Hoffman, Stuart Burrows, Ernst Haefliger, Gerd Nienstedt, London Symphony Orchestra & Chorus – Das Klagende Lied

BEAT - - - THE PARIS SHOW

The entire BEAT concert.
June 10, 2026
L'Olympia, Paris, France

Adrian Belew/Tony Levin/Steve Vai/Danny Carey

The second set has sync issues, but you can find the corrected upload of the second set below.

The second set, with the sync problems resolved:

GRUPPO SPORTIVO'S FINAL CONCERT

The final concert of Gruppo Sportivo's final tour will be at the Bibelot Poppodium in Dordrecht, NL, on June 26, 2026.

This is the same Gruppo Sportivo that used Frank Zappa's 'Takes You Clothes Off When You Dance' as an intro for their 'Superman' song, originally released in 1977 on their "10 Mistakes" album.
Later Gruppo Sportive would perform at one of the Dutch Frank Zappa Days, organised by Guus Veldhuis. They re-named themselves The Rubbers Of Prevention for the occasion and even performed at Zappanale later on.

A clip from 10 years ago, performing a song from over 40 years ago:

RPWL

RPWL will start an extensive tour in April 2027.

The German prog rock band RPWL was formed in 1997, originally as a Pink Floyd tribute band – frontman Yogi Lang’s voice bears a striking resemblance to that of David Gilmour. After a few years, RPWL switched to original material and, on albums such as World Through My Eyes (2005), Beyond Man And Time (2012) and Tales From Outer Space (2019), developed their own accessible prog rock sound in the style of Porcupine Tree and (the later) Marillion – though, of course, Pink Floyd is never far away. 

NEWS FROM THE RESIDENTS

Santa Already?

Behold! Welcome to the latest, long overdue Residents newsletter, direct from the shared desk of The Cryptic Corporation and New Ralph Too. The Residents are well, having resumed work on their new sure-to-be-a-masterpiece album following the recovery of one of their number, and as we speak are preparing to announce rescheduled ESKIMO tour dates - interested parties should keep an eye on all of the band's social media platforms, and of course residents.com for the new dates, details on tickets and so on, all of which will be shared with the wider world the moment everything is set in stone. ​

Rejoice! Meanwhile, The Residents are also preparing to formally announce the release of a brand new EP of 'Eskimo Folk Tales' to accompany the tour, featuring five brand new songs inspired by a collection of stories handed to them by their mentor The Mysterious N. Senada almost a decade ago. We're told a late September release date is planned - as ever, keep 'em peeled for details as they land via the Cherry Red and MVD websites, as well as your local independent record stockist if you're lucky enough to still have one. We're contractually obliged, of course, to tell you it's a fantastic record, but it really is. Not quite a new side of 'Eskimo' (although their second three-sided album would be kinda cool), but certainly a companion piece to the 1979 original, and must-hear stuff for anybody planning to go to one of the shows and desperate to fit in by knowing all of the words. ​

And as ever, the group are also deep into several other projects, both new and resurrected after the enforced layoff during the first half of this year. Stage shows, books, musicals (!?) and assorted collaborations are all being discussed, worked on, reworked, discussed again and so on - any long term Residents fan will know that's nothing new, but given the health concerns of the past six months we're sure you'll agree it's particularly good news right now. ​

And, as ever, rest assured you'll be the first to know as everything comes together and 2027 begins to plan itself. Oh, and they haven't forgotten the long promised Bandcamp site either. ​

But what with the recent 'Animal Lover pREServed' offering, the 'Randy, Chuck & Bob In The Studio' Record Store Day LP and this new 'Eskimo Folk Tales' thing, the group have been overly-conscious of desensitisation, fatigue and Rez-blindness among their millions of fans. But it'll happen soon, they assure us. ​

And that's just about that. All that remains is a gift for you, the patient reader. Some of you may be familiar with the work of Mr Ego Plum, and will be excited to know that he has been working with The Residents a lot recently, including co-producing the new 'Eskimo' EP. Well, back in 2023 he appeared at the band's 'Secret Show' in San Francisco, performing 'Santa Dog', and has kindly given us permission to hand out his demo recording of that performance - if all goes to plan, you can find it right here:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/dyjb8n78yznazw26smyec/Santa-Dog-The-Residents-Secret-Show.mp3
We think it's rather wonderful, and hope you'll enjoy it. And, of course, if you haven't already heard the live version and the rest of the 'Secret Show' album (and seen the film) you really ought to add it to your to do list.

Your pals,
New Ralph Too

GOOSE - - - UPCOMING TOURDATES & LIVESTREAMS

With livestreams on nug.net

LOUISE VAN DEN HEUVEL ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE AT THE 2027 BRUSSELS JAZZ FESTIVAL

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

NEW ALBUM BY GOOSE

Today, June 12, 2026, marks the release date for the new Goose album: "Big Modern!".

RHÙN - EVIL ERBEZ

• Rhùn: Evil Erbez
      (2026, cd, France, baboon fish label bfl 23)

French Zeuhl and R.I.O. (Rock in Opposition) pioneers Rhùn released their first demo in 2008.
Their latest album, recorded live in 2024, captures their frenetic energy in peak form.

Recorded at the Soleil Zeuhl festival in Belleville, this 7-track album documents the 5-piece band's multi-instrumental lineup as they showcase their trademark avant-garde sound.

Compared to their previous albums, "Evil Erbez" is a departure from the tightly controlled, studio wizardry. Where "Tozïh" (2023) and "Tozzos" (2024) allowed for layered, astral noodling, "Evil Erbez" trades atmospheric pacing for raw, explosive, high-octane velocity.
Koenjihyakkei comes to mind.
I'd even call it avant-garde jazz.

"Evil Erbez" proves that Rhùn also is an incredible live act. And excellent addition to their discography.
Out on the Baboon Fish record label, and on Bandcamp.
Check it out:

-- info: Danny Mathys

SEBASTIAN GRAMMS' HELIX PROJECT

"Sebastian Gramss' HELIX" Documentary by Maurice Graf.

GOOSE - 2026/05/25 LA MADELEINE, BRUSSELS, BE

• Goose: 2026/05/25 La Madeleine, Brussels, BE
      (2026, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)

American jam-band Goose has the good habit to make recordings of their concerts available through Bandcamp.
I didn't attend their recent gig in Brussels, but I am more than happy to enjoy the recording.

Great atmosphere. Superb sound, beautiful pieces and lovely improvisations.
And, yes, 'I Would Die 4 You' is the Prince song.

Feel-good music.

Around 2019, Goose included Frank Zappa's 'Peaches En Regalia' in their setlist a couple of times.
Also available through Bandcamp.

-- info: Philippe Lamoot

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

 

QUANTUM FANTAY - THE BUTTERFLY EFFEX

• Quantum Fantay: The Butterfly EffeX
      (2026, cd, Germany, progressive promotion)
      (2026, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)

Belgian space / prog rock band Quantum Fantay has a new album out: "The Butterfly Effex".

I remember that the band played at Zappanale once. Quite some time ago already.
I don't recall the actual concert, but I do know that I enjoy their albums.
Their latest release "The Butterfly Effex" delivers a 75-minute cosmic journey.
It perfectly balances hypnotic loops and patterns with beautiful melodies.

Check out my favourite track, 'Xemuta':

-- info: Danny Mathys

BEAR MCCREARY - SINGULARITY (THE GRAPHIC NOVEL)

Bear McCreary's "Singularity" album was quite enjoyable.
Bombastic, theatrical and featuring a bunch of special guests...
As there's also a companion graphic novel, I thought I'd give that a try today. While listening to the album.

It's a nice combination.
An interesting story that I hadn't really captured while listening to the music.
And excellent artwork.

Blue Eyes can’t stop being reborn. He tumbles from life to life, from one unthinkably strange universe to the next—the only constant being that, one way or another, everything he learns to love is lost. But when Blue Eyes finally catches up to a mysterious figure he’s seen recurring throughout his lives, he realizes he might just have a chance to escape his cursed immortality—or, at the very least, exact revenge for it.