SENDELICA'S "AN INTRODUCTION TO SENDILICA" IS OUT ON BANDCAMP

Fruits de Mer Records recently released Sendelica's "An Introduction To Sendelica",
a fine 4cd set that included the band's version of Frank Zappa's ‘Don’t Eat The Yellow Snow’.

The 4 CD set is sold out but the entire set is now being made available on Bandcamp.

A PANZERBALLETT CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN

The message from Panzerballett : 

Dear qB fans,

Today is the day. Our crowdfunding campaign is live!

This September, we'll be hitting the road across Europe together with Virgil Donati. And we have one big dream:

We want to capture this tour forever.

Live shows are magical. They only exist in the moment, and once they're over, they're gone forever. That's why we want to preserve the energy, the spontaneity, the improvisation, and all those unforgettable moments on an official Panzerballett live album.

An album that lets you experience this special tour again and again.

But there's one catch:

This album will only exist if we make it happen together.

That's why we've launched our crowdfunding campaign on Startnext today.

This is about much more than funding a live album. It's your chance to become part of this project and get closer to Panzerballett than ever before.

During the campaign you'll find exclusive experiences and strictly limited rewards that will only be available through this crowdfunding campaign. Once it's over, they're gone for good.

Some of the highlights include:

• VIP Tickets & Meet & Greets
• Exclusive online sessions with Jan
• Limited edition merchandise
• The exclusive CD & Tour Shirt Bundle
• Official Song Announcer: announce one of our songs live on stage before we play it
• Producer's Commentary: a full length commentary in which Jan takes you through the entire live album, sharing the stories, arrangements, and behind the scenes details of every track
• ...and many more exclusive surprises.

None of these rewards will be available in our regular merch store later.

This is the first time we've ever invited our fans to become part of a Panzerballett project in such a direct and personal way.

If you'd love to hear this live album become reality, if you'd like this tour to live on long after the final encore, we'd be truly grateful for your support.

Let's make this live album happen together.

https://www.startnext.com/en/panzerballett-live-album

MALCOLM SCARPA BOX SET TO INCLUDE A FRANK ZAPPA PIECE

Next September, celebrating 30 years of music by Malcolm Scarpa, the Caballero Reynaldo Producciones Psicotropicas label will be releasing a 3 CD box set with outtakes, demos, live takes, and more.

The box will also include Malcolm Scarpa's version of 'Twenty Small Cigars' (F. Zappa), previously released on one of the (unrivalled) "Unmatched" albums.

AN ED PALERMO UPDATE

 

NEW RELEASE BY SUN RA & HIS ARKESTRA

"Elliptical Orbits"
by Sun Ra & His Arkestra

Download / streaming album on Bandcamp.

KING GIZZARD AND THE LIZARD WIZARD

A new King Gizzard album has been spotted !
As you know, KG&LW allows fans and independent labels to press and sell physical copies (vinyl, CD, cassettes) of the downloads that are offered by the band.
As long as they send a fair trade of copies back for the band to sell.

"Europe '25 Vol II" is such a release. It has been made available by the Reverberation Appreciation Society in July as a 3 LP set.

BEAT IS TOURING NORTH AMERICA THIS FALL

 

JONATHAN CROSSLEY, DAVID KOLLAR AND LUKAS LIGETI

From 7D Media

Santa Fe, NM — 7D Media is proud to announce Solace, a dynamic new set of wholly improvised works from Jonathan Crossley, David Kollar and Lukas Ligeti. Recorded in June 2024 during an artistic residency at the University of Liverpool, the project captures three singular musical minds in deep, real-time dialogue.

On this recording, the digitally enabled guitar practices of Crossley and Kollar intersect with the polymetric, Africa-inflected drumming of Ligeti, generating environments that move between ambient, pulsating and rhythmically intricate states. Crossley's playing fuses guitar, synthesis and real-time digital control into an expanded, gestural improvisational language, while Kollar treats the guitar as a vehicle for expansive, genre-defying expression, ranging from tonal abstraction to avant-garde interplay. Ligeti's drumming draws on experimental, jazz, contemporary and world traditions, weaving overlapping polyrhythms and cross-cultural influences into a percussive approach that is both grounded and exploratory.

SNARKY PUPPY'S "17" AVAILABLE ON BANDCAMP

• Snarky Puppy: 17
      (2019, 4lp, --, groundup)
      (2026, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)

Snarky Puppy’s live compilation 17 has finally landed a digital home via Bandcamp, giving fans unprecedented, high-fidelity access to the jazz-fusion collective's peak 2017 touring era. 

Originally pressed exclusively as a ultra-limited, four-LP physical vinyl set back in 2019, this long-awaited digital re-release is a massive win for fans who missed the physical drop. And even for those who own the box set, it's great to have the album available in the digital format.

For readers of the United Mutations blog—who thrive on complex, boundary-pushing arrangements, mutant grooves, and exceptional musicianship—this sprawling collection is an absolute goldmine.

The album captures Michael League’s rotating mega-ensemble across various global tour stops in 2017, functioning as a definitive live retrospective of their mid-2010s creative peak.
Seventeen tracks from twenty-seventeen.
Re-energizing absolute fan favorites from 'We Like It Here', 'Culcha Vulcha', and  'Lingus' and transforming familiar arrangements into explosive, improvisational marathons, this is essential listening.

The sound is massive, punchy, and crystal clear. Every layer of the massive rhythm section, horn line, and multi-guitar attack is pristine.

For an album that was previously locked behind expensive out-of-print vinyl paywalls, having it fully dynamic, uncompressed, and ready to stream or download on the Snarky Puppy Bandcamp page is a gift. It is highly recommended for anyone who loves their jazz fried in funk, prog, and experimental world rhythms.

WENDY & LISA PLUS SHENKAR

I'm watching the final episodes of season one of "Heroes" on Netflix.

The sci-fi drama series Heroes features an iconic original score composed by the duo Wendy & Lisa (Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman) featuring the distinctive, ethereal vocals of virtuoso singer and violinist L. Shankar, credited as Shenkar.

from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Heroes

From the original soundtrack: 'Fire and Regeneration'

GOV'T MULE WILL CELEBRATE NEW YEAR'S EVE IN BOSTON

The Gov't Mule NYE Tradition Continues in Boston.

Warren Haynes & Gov't Mule add:
We're bringing our Mule Year's Eve tradition to Boston, MA for the very first time with a special Gov't Mule & Friends performance at MGM Music Hall at Fenway on December 31.

If you've ever spent New Year's with us, you know this isn't just another show. It's a one-night-only celebration filled with incredible music, unforgettable collaborations, and surprises you won't see anywhere else. This year, we are thrilled to welcome an incredible lineup of friends to help us celebrate, including Jaimoe, Marc Quiñones, Reese Wynans, Chuck Leavell, Steve Gorman, Audley Freed, and Kevn Kinney.

“Playing the Beacon Theatre in New York City for New Year’s Eve has been amazing for the past 20 years but now it’s time to try something new,” shares Haynes. “Boston has always been an amazing audience for us. We’re excited to open a new chapter. It’s gonna be fantastic to have a lot of our friends and special guests there with us blowing it out.”

Whether you've been ringing in the New Year with us since the early days or you're joining the tradition for the first time, we can't wait to celebrate with you in a brand-new city.

THE BEAT UPDATE FROM MWM

 

A MESSAGE FROM PANZERBALLETT

Something special is coming.

This September, Panzerballett feat. Virgil Donati will be touring Europe. Our goal is to capture this tour in an official live album.

To make it happen, we'll launch our Startnext crowdfunding campaign this Sunday at 12:00 PM (CEST).
You'll find exclusive rewards available only during the campaign, including:

🎸 CD & Tour Shirt Bundle
🤝 Meet & Greet + Concert Ticket
🎤 Official Song Announcer
…and much more.

📅 Launch: Sunday, 12:00 PM (CEST)
We can't wait to share this project with you! 🤘

 

TOM PENAGUIN - TOM PENAGUIN

• Tom Penaguin: Tom Penaguin
      (2024, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)

Tom Penaguin.
If the name doesn't ring a bell, you're missing out.
(I only learned about Tom Penaguin last week when I received a digital download of the album.)

This is spectacular.
Contemporary Canterbury scene instrumental progressive rock.

Composed, played, recorded and mixed by Tom Penaguin...

French multi-instrumentalist Tom Penaguin (known for his work with psych-rockers Djiin and avant space-rock outfit Orgöne) surprised everyone in 2024 with his spectacular self-titled debut solo album.

For this project, Penaguin locked himself away in his home studio, surrounded by a mountain of vintage analog hardware, and recorded every single instrument himself. The resulting thirty-seven minutes of music act as a direct portal back to the golden era of the 1970s Canterbury Scene.

The album kicks off with 'The Stove Viewpoint Introduction', a short, electronics-laden piece full of modulated oscillations that feels very much like an invitation into a strange new landscape.

This effortlessly crossfades into the album's centerpiece, the magnificent 14-minute epic 'Housefly Leg'. Here, Penaguin showcases a staggering grasp of jazz-fusion and progressive interplay, calling to mind Bundles-era Soft Machine, Egg, and Hatfield and the North, while retaining the complex rhythmic vocabulary of Frank Zappa's Waka/Jawaka period. The shifting odd meters, heavy organ pads, and fluid guitar work are brilliantly executed, yet always maintain a playful, melodic accessibility.

'Aborted Long Piece No2', is a tight, classically influenced exercise driven by a syncopated drum beat and a heavy bass line that cuts out right before it overstays its welcome.

It breaks for 'Arrival of the Great Hedgehog', where Penaguin layers beautiful, understated electric piano chords before absolutely tearing into a soaring, emotional guitar solo that nods toward Steve Hillage.

Finally, 'The Stove Packed Up and Left' closes the album with a wonderfully pastoral, acoustic-leaning atmosphere reminiscent of Caravan or Camel.

This is an exceptionally strong, vibrant debut from an artist who doesn't just copy the past, but breathes fresh, imaginative life into it.

Highly recommended for any fan of classic progressive rock, complex jazz-fusion, and vintage Canterbury sounds.

You can listen to and purchase the album directly via the áMARXE Bandcamp page.

RUINS - COSA ? (EXPERIMENTAL WORKS)

• Ruins: Cosa ? (Experimental Works)
      (2026, cd, Austria, klanggalerie)

Ruins.
Not the Japanese, Magma-inspired duo, but the Italian duo that has been producing experimental music since 1978.

Featuring Alessandro Pizzin (who you might also know as Alieno de Bootes and who released the exiting "Unconventional Residents" Tribute-To-The-Residents-series) and Piergiuseppe Ciranna.

They have just released a new album on the Klanggalerie record label: "Cosa ? (Experimental Works)

'REFLEKCTIONS II' BY EIDON, DEDICATED TO BILL BRUFORD

'RefleKtions II'
by Eidon

dedicated to Bill Bruford

 

BOOTES INVISIBLE RADIO SHOW - LA FRANCE

 a journey to the French music scene by Alieno De Bootes.

00:06 - 03:24 - Moving Gelatine Plates - Memories (1971)
03:24 - 09:28 - Veronique Chalot - La chanson de mai (1978)
09:28 - 13:38 - Noëtra - Mesopotamie (1982)
13:38 - 18:24 - Noir Desir - Le Vent Nous Portera (2001)
18:24 - 21:39 - Robin Fredrick - Been smoking too long (2003)
21:39 - 26:09 - Popera Cosmic - L.S.D (1969)
26:09 - 30:23 - Pierre Bensusan - Nice feeling (1981)
30:23 - 32:56 - Christian Vander Offering - Tïlïm M'Dohm (1986)
32:56 - 37:32 - Aut'Chose - Nancy Beaudoin (1975)
37:32 - 41:42 - Etron Fou Leloublan - Phare plafond (1984)
41:42 - 1:32:19 - Magma - K.A (live 2005)

https://www.mixcloud.com/AlienoDeBootes/bootes-invisible-radio-la-france-episode-01/

TUNGU & HENRY KAISER - THE UNEXPLAINED

• Tungu & Henry Kaiser: The Unexplained
      (2026, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)
      (2026, cd, Austria, klanggalerie)

"The Unexplained" is Tungu's and Henry Kaiser's second collaboration.

Adventurous and experimental !!

FRANK ZAPPA - ZAPPATITE

Released in different versions, some of which have been slightly delayed.
But the Japanese (SHM)CD is out !

NEW RELEASE BY MEN & VOLTS

Selections from David Greenberger's archive !
13 different versions of 'Tramps In Bloom' by Men & Volts.
Live and rehearsal sessions.

NICO CHIENTAROLI & MICHAEL MOORE - THE CARD PLAYERS

• Nico Chientaroli & Michael Moore: The Card Players
      (2026, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)

Recorded, on February 14th, 2026, at independent music club Splendor in Amsterdam, NL, "The Card Players" album features Nico Chientaroli on piano and Michael Moore on alto sax and clarinet.

Four chamber music-style improvisations.
Beautiful.

DECEMBER 20 - - - CRANK SOME FRANK

 December 2026, 'Musicon', The Hague, NL

"ZAPPA & CO", OCTOBER 30 AT DOMICIL IN DORTMUND, GERMANY

The Zappa Orchestra Hamm is giving a special concert with a number of guest performers at the Domicil. Alongside the magnificent music of the master Frank Zappa, the programme will also feature music by Prince, Stevie Wonder and others. The Zappa Orchestra Hamm comprises 30 professional musicians, all of whom are or have been associated with the Hamm Municipal Music School. The orchestra was founded in 2015 to mark the music school’s 75th anniversary by Bernd Kortenkamp, a great admirer of Frank Zappa’s music. After a few years’ hiatus, they have been performing regular concerts again since 2023. The large ensemble’s repertoire includes more than 30 Zappa songs. No Zappa fan should miss this special concert. Tickets are available for €20.80 from numerous ticket outlets.

"FREAK OUT !"

 

In 1966, Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention released the album that started it all. Sixty years later, the Freak Out! 60th Anniversary Edition is officially unleashed and ready for pre-order.

The brand-new 60th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition presents 5 CDs of material, featuring the newly remastered 1966 stereo mix, a previously unreleased pre-master mix, the long-awaited mono master mix, The Mothers live at The Fillmore, 1966 rehearsals, demos, rarities, vocal reference mixes, session outtakes, and a cornucopia of bonus material. It’s the mother lode of mother lodes.

In addition to that glorious monstrosity, the Blu-ray contains ATMOS, 5.1, and high-res audio options. The set is rounded out with an expanded booklet with rare photos, new essays, a very special new section of even more “Relevant Quotes,” and an original double-sided fold-out Freak Out! Hot Spots Map.

Also available on a 5LP Box Set, as well as a multi-colored 2LP vinyl edition. Arrives everywhere on September 25th.

FREAK OUT! WITH JOE TRAVERS AND JOHN POLITO

Frank Zappa - Freak Out! 60th with Joe Travers and John Polito

THE PLASTER CASTER BLUES BAND - THE PLASTER CASTERS

 

• The Plaster Caster Blues Band: The Plaster Casters
      (1969, lp, USA, blues time)
      (2024, lp, Russia, --)

“The Plaster Casters” album by The Plaster Caster Blues Band did not include the actual Plaster Casters Of Chicago (Cynthia Albritton and her assistant(s)) but was a group of session musicians improvising on a number of blues themes.
The album included ‘You Didn’t Try To Ball Me (Dedicated To Frank Zappa)’, a track that also got released on the B-side of their only 7” single release.

The LP got re-released in 2024 on a Russian (?) label.

MADLIB - ROCK KONDUCTA PART 2

• Madlib: Rock Konducta Part 2
      (2014, lp, USA, madlib invazion)
      (2023, lp, USA, madlib invazion) – smoke vinyl

American DJ, music producer, multi-instrumentalist, and rapper Madlib, released a follow-up to his 2013 ”Rock Konducta Pt. 1” album in 2014.

"Rock Konducta - Part 2" included :

• 'Galactic Supermaket'   - sampled Lumpy Gravy pt.2 (FZ)
  and
• 'Stürmischer'   - sampled Apostrophe (‘) (FZ, Bruce, Gordon)

In 2023, "Rock Konducta - Part 2" got re-released on smoke vinyl.

MICHAEL MOORE UNIVERSE QUARTET - LISTEN !

• Michael Moore Universe Quartet: Listen !
      (2026, download / streaming, -, ramboy recordings)

Starting the day with the latest album by the Michael Moore Universe Quartet is always a pleasure. Reed master Michael Moore, a crucial component of the ICP Orchestra, has delivered another beautiful album, "Listen !".

Michael Moore's warm, melancholic alto saxophone tone, combined with Guillermo Celano's guitar lines are joy to listen to.

On the Bandcamp page, Michael adds:
The rather presumptious title, the 'Universe' quartet, has to do with it being an exploration of my universe. It's a repertoire band, these guys are ready and willing to play anything I give them, and I am grateful for that.
My intent is, rather than break new ground, to explore older forms and make enjoyable music.
The advantage of being DIY one's whole life is that you have total freedom from commercial pressures; I can follow my muse anywhere, and this is where it has taken me!

The result is a beautiful album.

Take the album title as a strong recommendation and "Listen !":

-- info: Danny Mathys

FREAK OUT 6 CD / BLU-RAY SET

Announced for September :

https://www.dustygroove.com/item/261610/Mothers-Of-Invention-Frank-Zappa-:Freak-Out-6CD-blu-ray-set?

TERRY BOZZIO TO JOIN BEAT ?

 According to the newsflash from the Phoenix venue:

- info: reddit

SUN RA AND HIS INTERGALACTIC SOLAR ARKESTRA - SPACE IS THE PLACE - MUSIC FROM THE ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK

• Sun Ra And His Intergalactic Solar Arkestra: Space Is The Place - Music From The Original Soundtrack
      (2023, 2cd+dvd+blu-ray)

Having the "Soundtrack To Space Is The Place" album that got released on the Evidence record label in 1993 as well as the "Space Is The Place" movie on DVD, the 2023 "Space Is The Place" box set was always pushed backwards on my priority list.

Our recent visit to Hamburg was going to solve this inconvenience. The "Space Is The Place" box set was moved from the bottom to the top of my priority list, together with some other recent Sun Ra albums.
Unfortunately, as things turned out, I wasn't able to find a copy. Out of the four Sun Ra releases on my list, I only found one. Too bad. 

I had no choice but to resort to trying to find and to placing an order online. That wasn't easy either. It seems like this box set is close to becoming sold out.

After a bit of a search, earlier this week, the "Space Is The Place - Music From The Original Soundtrack" box set finally arrived.
Two CDs in one digipack: “Space Is The Place” (modern harmonic mhcd-267), plus another digipack with the "Space Is The Place" DVD and blu-ray, and a booklet. All in one nice little box.

I've only listened to the CDs and the sound is great. I'm very happy with the second disc, presenting unreleased material that got recorded at the same sessions.

The box was also released with three LPs replacing the two CDs.
But this CD/DVD/blu-ray box set is great as well.

Recommended. Especially if you don't have the previously released soundtrack or the movie.

"It's after the end of the world. Don't you know that yet?"

THE ALMOST THREE - THREE

• The Almost Three: Three
      (2017, cd, Germany, pottpeople)

With "Vol. 5" released earlier this year, it looked like a fine opportunity to revisit "Three", released almost ten years ago on the POTTpeople record label.

Hailing from Mülheim an der Ruhr, the band—led by guitarist/vocalist Martin Ettrich alongside bassist Max Schmitz and drummer Benny Korn—showcases their love for blues, heavy funk, and avant-garde rock. For those who are into high-energy, genre-bending power trios, this album is a masterclass in heavy groove.

I love the songs. Especially the gritty vocals, the guitar tone, and the fine choice of cover versions (Joseph Bowie's 'Funk #2015', David Bowie's 'Let's Dance', The Allman Brothers' 'Whippin' Post',...) next to the excellent original material. 

DOMI & JD BECK - WHO ASKED ?

• DOMi & JD Beck: Who Asked?
      (2026, cd, --, blue note / apeshit)
      (2026, 2lp, --, blue note / apeshit)

The hyper-kinetic wunderkinds are back, and they are willfully testing the limits of what a "jazz duo" is supposed to sound like. Following their Grammy-nominated 2022 debut "NOT TiGHT," keyboardist Domi Louna and drummer JD Beck return with their sophomore effort, "Who Asked ?".
This time around, the duo has locked themselves in their Dallas home studio to emerge with an ambitious, highly structured, and downright dizzying slice of avant-garde chamber pop and maximalist jazz-prog.

Unlike the loose, improvisational grease of traditional fusion, "Who Asked ?" was completely meticulously mapped out on notation software before a single instrument was touched. The result is an album that feels entirely intentional—and completely unhinged. The duo handles vocals on nearly every track, creating an intricate web of "indietronica" sliced with Zappa-esque rhythmic sharp-turns and Carl Stalling-level cartoon logic.

Tracks like the fanfare opener 'Epiphanie' and 'Concertino (for Piano, Drums & Orchestra)' weave in a small sinfonietta of seasoned classical players, transforming their signature 1,000-notes-per-second velocity into full-blown orchestral madness. Meanwhile, tracks like 'Small Eyes' slow things down just a hair, blending a blue-mood jazz atmosphere with J Dilla-inspired drum deconstructions.

Beautiful, chaotic, and relentlessly demanding of your attention.

WIDESPREAD PANIC PERFORMED FRANK ZAPPA'S 'MUFFIN MAN' IN CONCERT

Widespread Panic has performed Frank Zappa's "Muffin Man" in concert twice in their history:

* September 19, 2010: The band debuted the song during their second set at the Pier Six Pavilion in Baltimore, Maryland. This performance celebrated Baltimore's official "Frank Zappa Day" and the unveiling of a Zappa statue.

* July 25, 2026: Following a 743-show gap, they brought the song back during their first set at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles, California. This was played during their special five-piece tour run (as Jimmy Herring was absent from this entire West Coast tour as he continued his recovery following his tonsil cancer diagnosis and treatment earlier in the year).

Both concerts have been made available for download / streaming and even on CD from Nugs net.

The album cover for the "Orpheum Theatre, Los Angeles, CA – 7/25/2026" album :

• Widespread Panic: Orpheum Theatre, Los Angeles, CA – 7/25/2026
      (2026, download / streaming, USA, nugs net)
      (2026, 3cd, USA, nugs net) - incl. ‘Muffin Man’ (F. Zappa)
  
  

NEW PIECE BY EIDON

'景色 (Keshiki)'
by Eidon

NEW ALBUM BY THE ENSEMBLE MODERN

• Ensemble Modern, Peter Eötvös, Bob Rutman – Heiner Goebbels: Walden
     (2026, cd, --, ecm records)

 "Walden consists of a series of musical sketches inspired by the 1854 novel of the same name by Henry David Thoreau”, thus reads the short description of this project by Heiner Goebbels. But those familiar with the oeuvre of the German trans-media conceptualist and composer know that with Goebbels it’s never quite that simple. In his 1998 creation Walden, composed for expanded orchestra with speaker, Goebbels incorporates a wide-flung stream of inspirations and approaches, spanning excerpts from Thoreau’s “Walden”, soundscape-design in the spirit of audio plays, arsenals of outlandish instruments and sonic layouts as much at home in the avantgarde as they borrow from popular music, all brought to life with Peter Eötvös conducting and Bob Rutman a main figure in this project – in the role of the narrator.

-- info: Jan van Kemenade

RICK WAKEMAN TO RELEASE "RETURN TO THE RED PLANET" IN OCTOBER

Following his acclaimed 2020 album The Red Planet, Rick Wakeman makes a triumphant and inevitable return to Mars with "Return To The Red Planet", a sweeping new progressive work that fuses science, imagination and musical virtuosity into one of the most ambitious recordings of his career. 

STEVE VAI'S RHINE RIVER CRUISE

June 26 to July 3, 2027, Steve Vai will participate in a cruise on the river Rhine, travelling from Basel to Amsterdam.

https://toursandwine.com/svrhine1/

ANDY EDWARDS, CHANAN HANSPAL & SUNNY MOHINDRA - FOR JOHN

Chanan Hanspal (guitar), Sunny Mohindra (tablas) and Andy Edwards (drums) recorded a beautiful John McLaughlin tribute.

THE VANDALS - FEAR OF A PUNK PLANET

The Vandals' "Fear Of A Punk Planet" featured Dweezil Zappa, Moon Zappa, and Scott Thunes as special guests, although not all on the same track.

Orginally released on CD and on LP in 1991, it got some some exiting re-releases :

The Japanese edition, from 2001, had different artwork:

And later vinyl re-issues included a purple vinyl release by the Kung Fu Records label in 2015, as well as a purple splatter vinyl re-issue by Cleopatra Records in 2024.

Here's 'Hey Holmes', feat. Dweezil Zappa:

TED NUGENT & THE AMBOY DUKES

A couple of years ago, the Ted Nugent & The Amboy Dukes albums that were originally released on the Frank Zappa co-owned Discreet Records (in 1974) have been re-issued by the Purple Pyramid / Cleopatra Records label.

"Call Of The Wild" album got a vinyl re-release both on black and on white vinyl, next to a remastered CD edition.

"Tooth, Fang & Claw" got a vinyl re-release on red marble vinyl, next to a remastered CD edition.

JOHN TABACCO HAS A NEW ALBUM OUT: 'JUKEBOX ORACLE'

Earlier this month, John Tabacco released "Jukebox Oracle".

RICK BEATO TALKS TO DOMI AND JD BECK

 

MAURIZIO ODDONE

Guitarist Maurizio Oddone reworked George Duke / F. Zappa's 'Uncle Remus'.
But I guess there's quite some A.I. involved...

Maurizio Oddone · Uncle Remus (F. Zappa - G. Duke

)

 

THE BAND FROM UTOPIA AT THE BAKED POTATO, AUGUST 13 & 14

 

SNARKY PUPPY'S RABBIT HOLE

Snarky Puppy's Rabbit Hole,

August 3, 4, 5, 6, 2026

https://snarkypuppyrabbithole.com/

DOOM GONG AT ZAPPANALE 2026

The fantastic Doom Gong concert from Zappanale 2026 turned up at YouTube.

We had just arrived when they started with the intro to 'Strictly Genteel'.
And then they kicked off with 'King Kong' only to continue with some hyper-energetic original material.

Goosebumps all over again.

J.M. SMIG - SIT ON A SINGLE

Earlier this month, J.M. Smig added new artwork to his “Sit On A Single” album, previously released in 2015 and in 2021. The 2021 version adding ‘Dog Meat’ and ‘Peaches En Regalia’ as bonus tracks.

On the new artwork, J.M. Smig added:
“…because I want you to add a hairy, moly ass to your music collection for all your friends to see..”.

FIDO PLAYS ZAPPA - WHAT'S NEW IN BALTIMORE AND EASTER HAY

• Fido Plays Zappa: What’s New In Baltimore And Easter Hay
      (2026, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)

Swiss Frank Zappa tribute band Fido Plays Zappa has just released this mash-up of FZ’s ‘What’s New In Baltimore?’ and ‘Watermelon In Easter Hay’
It got recorded live at Sud Basel on April 9, 2026.

Lovely.

IN HIS LATEST 'SEARCHING FOR SPARKS' VIDEO PODCAST, TIM MOTZER TALKS MUSIC WITH JULIE SLICK

Tim Motzer:
here’s a fun and energizing chat with bassist Julie Slick on "Searching for Sparks" covering her latest news including an upcoming November-December 2026 tour with Emma Ruth Rundle, and many other new projects. We talk about her work with Adrian Belew, Crimson Projeckts, and Jerry Harrison’s Talking Heads tribute.

NEW ALBUM BY AGITATION FREE

How did this escape me?
Agitation Free has a brand-new album out !

Recorded live in Berlin in 2025:

• Agitation Free: Live In Berlin
      (2026, cd, Germany, mig)

PARITY - PARITY

• Parity: Parity
      (2020, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)

Athens, Greece-based duo Parity reworked and reharmonized the melody of FZ’s ‘Watermelon In Easter Hay’, added a new section, and used it as a vehicle for improvisation.

It got released on their “Parity” album, made available as a download through Bandcamp in 2020.

AGITATION FREE - LIVE KESSELHAUS BERLIN, APRIL 23, 2013

• Agitation Free: Live Kesselhaus Berlin April 23, 2013
      (2023, 2cd, Germany, mig)

True, I missed the Agitation Free concert at Zappanale.
According to some who were there, it was a highlight.

Well, thanks to the wonders of the internet, I was able to catch the Rockradio broadcast afterwards.
It looks like I really did miss an impressive concert.

In the meantime, however, I was also able to enjoy one of Agitation Free's recent albums: a 2013 concert, released on CD in 2016, as a digital download in 2023.

Instrumental, psychedelic rock with lots of improvisations.
Great !!

Here's the Zappanale show:

VARIOUS ARTISTS - W.E.R.F. RECORDS - SKETCHES OF BELGIAN SUMMERS

The (Belgian) W.E.R.F. Record label has just released "Sketches Of Belgian Summers", a superfine sampler / introduction to the Belgian jazz artists that they have been releasing.

Highly recommended.

KEVIN KASTNING & PAUL WERTICO - INTERCHANGE TWO

• Kevin Kastning & Paul Wertico: Interchange Two
      (2026, download / streaming, --, bandcamp / greydisc)

Kevin Kastning has been featured on this blog several times already. He's an instrument inventor, but also a master of the contraguitar,
Paul Wertico performed and recorded with Pat Metheny, Larry Coryell and MarBin, amongst others, but he also had his own trio.

A meeting of these two musicians, where they spontaneously improvise, is a joy for the ear. The exploratory trip was recorded and can be enjoyed on "Interchange One" and "Interchange Two", both out on the Greydisc record label.

I love it.

Here's a piece from "Interchange One":

IBRAHIM MAALOUF'S SESSION AT THE CHELSEA STUDIOS

Ibrahim Maalouf - Full Session | Paste Magazine
2026 07 24

At the Chelsea Studios

00:27 - “Love Anthem”
06:54 - “LAS TROMPETAS DE NAEL”
15:35 - “The Smile of Rita”

JANET ROBIN & DAVID VITO GREGOLI - BECK'S BOLERO

Janet Robin and David Vito Gregoli have recorded 'Beck's Bolero'.

Here's the YouTube video:

GIOVANNI SOLLIMA'S NEW ALBUM WILL INCLUDE SEVERAL ZAPPA PIECES

Cellist and composer Giovanni Sollima will be releasing "Wild Love" next month, an album that will include pieces by both Francesco and Frank Zappa.

The tracklist:

-- info: Mick Zeuner

DARK THE SUPER JUST RELEASED THE TITLE TRACK OF HIS UPCOMING ALBUM

'How to Play Basketball in the Rain and Not Get Wet'
by Darko the Super

SNARKY PUPPY AT NORTH SEA JAZZ 2026

Snarky Puppy performed at the North Sea Jazz Festival on Friday, July 10, 2026, from 16:30 to 18:00. They played at the Maas stage in Rotterdam Ahoy alongside the Metropole Orkest, conducted by Jules Buckley.

1:19 - Waves Upon Waves
8:53 – Chimera
17:23 - Only Here and Nowhere Else
24:16 - As You Are But Not As You Were
36:18 - Between Worlds
44:22 – Recurrent
56:42 – Drift
1:02:48 - It Stays With You
1:18:03 - Shofukan

CLUB D'ELF - - - UPCOMING SHOWS

Club d'Elf - Upcoming shows

• Saturday July 25, 2026 - Bayside Bowl
   (58 Alder St, Portland, ME 04101)
• Friday July 31, 2026 - The Falcon
   (1348 US-9W, Marlboro, NY 12542)
• Saturday August 1, 2026 - The Word Barn
   (66 Newfields Rd, Exeter, NH 03833)
• Sunday August 16, 2026 - Zumix Summer Concert Series - Piers Park
   (Marginal St, EAST BOSTON, MA 02128)
• Saturday September 26, 2026 - Off Cabot
   (9 Wallis St, Beverly, MA 01915)
• Friday October 30, 2026 - Groton Hill Music Center
   (122 Old Ayer Rd, Groton, MA 01450)

NEW ALBUM BY DARKO THE SUPER

'Time Out (featuring ialive)' is track from Darko the Super's upcoming album "How to Play Basketball in the Rain and Not Get Wet" !

FLASHBACK TO 2008 WITH DENNY WALLEY IN CO DE KLOET'S RADIO SHOW

 Recorded by Paul B / Unicapb21 :

NEW ALBUM ANNOUNCED FOR THE OZRIC TENTACLES

"Harmonic Mind"
To be released in September.
LP on standard black vinyl, but also announced an purple vinyl, and on CD.

NEW ALBUM BY HEAT ON

Cuneiform Records just announced "150 Swirl", a second release by Lily Finnegan's "Heat On" project.

 

A NEW PIECE BY EIDON

'Più semplicemente'
by Eidon

ROBERT DAVIDSON - - - ZAPPA AND ME

A lot of people probably saw the picture of Frank Zappa sitting on the toilet before they had ever heard his music. Let alone that they knew who he was.

Taken by photographer Robert Davidson in a London hotel room in 1967, it became one of the best-selling rock posters in history. Zappa himself famously noted that he was more famous for sitting on the toilet than for his music.

I must have seen the picture before I started listening to Frank's music but, for me, that wasn't what triggered me to find out who the man in the picture was.
I got hooked when I found "Weasels Ripped My Flesh" and "Burnt Weeny Sandwich" in the public library. The album artwork pulled me in and the music blew me away.
Still, I can imagine that many people found the photo funny and subversive and thought it embodied the counterculture.

It is an iconic picture and the story behind it is fascinating to say the least.
And that's what the upcoming "Zappa And Me" documentary will be about.

Robert Davidson at Zappanale 2026, picture taken by Andrew Greenaway.

Here's the link to the Kickstarter for the project:
https://www.wilddogworld.com/zappa-and-me-the-image-that-created-an-icon/

Although the Zappanale festival had existed for quite some years, the first 'international edition', with invited guests from all over the world and the inauguration of the statue, took place in 2002.
It's no surprise that the poster referred to the famous picture.

TU-NER

“Rendezvous Rodeo" by Tu-Ner is out now.

The new live album from Trey Gunn (10-string Warr Guitar), Pat Mastelotto (drums and percussion), and Markus Reuter (Touch Guitars T8) spans reimaginings of classic King Crimson pieces, compositions from each member's individual career, and a new take on a song Gunn and Mastelotto originally performed live with David Sylvian and Robert Fripp.

Catch them on tour:
07/28 — Old Saybrook, CT @ The Kate
07/29 — Woodstock, NY @ The Colony
07/30 — Northampton, MA @ Iron Horse
07/31 — Brooklyn, NY @ Shapeshifter Labs
08/09 — Hudson Falls, NY @ Strand Theater
08/10 — Sellersville, PA @ Sellersville Theater
08/11 — Annville, PA @ The Allen Theatre
08/12 — Pittsburgh, PA @ City Winery”

ZAPPA'S 'PEACHES EN REGALIA' PERFORMED AT THE BBC PROMS 2026

BBC Proms: Prog Rock – A Fanfare for the Common Man
by the BBC Concert Orchestra under the direction of Robert Ames

It included Zappa's 'Peaches En Regalia', starting at 60 minutes into the recording.

• Aaron Copland (arr. ELP) – Fanfare for the Common Man (met Carl Palmer)
• Jethro Tull – Living in the Past
• Soft Machine – Out-Bloody-Rageous (Part 1)
• Genesis – A Trick of the Tail & I Know What I Like
• Renaissance – Northern Lights (met Jane Weaver)
• The Moody Blues – Nights in White Satin (met Jane Weaver)
• Van der Graaf Generator – Refugees (met Peter Hammill)
• Yes – And You and I
• Mike Oldfield – Tubular Bells (Part 1)
  
  
• ELP – Karn Evil 9: 1st Impression, Part 2
• Focus – Sylvia
• Osibisa – Komfo
• Frank Zappa – Peaches en Regalia
• King Crimson – Medley (Schizoid Man / Wind / Court)
• Genesis – Entangled
• Gentle Giant – On Reflection
• Incredible String Band – Maker of Islands (met Gruff Rhys)
• Pink Floyd – The Great Gig in the Sky (met Vanessa Haynes)
• Supertramp – Crime of the Century
• Mussorgsky (arr. ELP) – Pictures at an Exhibition (Great Gate) (met Carl Palmer)

 

LARI BASILIO

My previous post on Patáx reminded me of the beautiful version of 'Man In The Mirror' by Lari Basilio !

feat. Siedah Garrett/Greg Phillinganes/Vinnie Colaiuta/Nathan East

PATAX

Recommended by Alfred G.: the flamenco funk Afro-Cuban mix of Patáx.

October 16 Colos-Saal, Aschaffenburg, Germany

October 17, 2026 - Leibniz-Gymnasium in Altdorf bei Nürnberg, Germany
(The Alberto Diaz Trio will be opening.)

AN UPDATE FROM DISCUS MUSIC

The CD was made available a little while ago already, but "Domestic Dragon" by the Eclectic Maybe Band has now also been released on Bandcamp!

NEW RESIDENTS EP ANNOUNCED

• The Residents: Eskimo Folk Tales EP
      (2026, 10” EP, UK, cherry red) – 2026 09 25

THE RESIDENTS return with an all-new EP - six new pieces picking up where their 'Eskimo' masterpiece left off!

https://mvdshop.com/products/the-residents-eskimo-folk-tales-10-inch

DWEEZIL ZAPPA AT THE MUSICIANS HALL OF FAME

THE ARTCHIPEL ORCHESTRA PLAYS ZAPPA

"Zappa Variations"
by the Artchipel Orchestra

Teatro Civico Roberto De Silva Rho (Mi) - 31/01/26

-

-

MAN & MACHINE - EARTHMAN

• Man & Machine: Earthman
      (2026, 10” ep, UK, fruits de mer records)

I got the opportunity to give the upcoming Man & Machine EP a listen and I liked what I heard.

Man & Machine is Tom Roche's project.
"Earthman" will be out in September.
Keep an eye out for this !

ZAPPANALE #35 - - - PART 18 - - - SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST

I enjoyed the four days of music by making choices. I picked out the bands that I really wanted to see and I deliberately stayed away from other ones.
Not because they did not sound interesting but only to avoid an overload.

Also, with Rockradio streaming the concerts on YouTube, I was hoping to catch up with some of the concerts I missed at a later stage.

Zappanale's Sunday morning started with Dutch band HALA.

I skipped seeing them live, but looking at the video, they sure sounded fine.
Contrary to Friday and Saturday, where we had high energy bands kicking off (respectively Doom Gong and Octafish), Sunday went for a softer approach.

Here's HALA, performing at the smaller Arf Stage.

If you want more HALA, check out their Bandcamp page:
https://halabandpage.bandcamp.com/

At 14h00, the Hilo Jazz Orchestra took the main stage.
This was something I really wanted to experience live and I enjoyed it a lot !
The band played a very long set but it felt like it was over in a flash.
Great vocals, excellent solos and superb musicianship.
Happiness all around. Both on stage and in the audience.
Top !!

After the Hilo Jazz, it was time for the Miserablen Husos on the Arf Stage.
Zappa in Hessisch (German).
We had already seen most of the bandmembers on Saturday as part of the Filthy Brillos band.
I only caught part of this concert as we also mixed and mingled (and got something to eat) but what I heard and saw sounded great.
With Chato Segerer on bass !

Great fun. And these guys can play !!

And then, it started raining again. It wasn’t raining as heavily as we’d seen earlier but it did mean that we had to watch the Mahavishnu Project show from in the big tent.
Still a nice view and excellent sound.
Having seen a large part of the amazing Mahavinshnu Project's Saturday show, where they performed the music of the Mahavishnu Orchestra, I guess my expectations were set a bit too high.
Sure, an excellent performance, but I would have preferred a bit less Jan Hammer & Jeff Beck and some more fusion Zappa, although the rendition of 'Cause We've Ended As Lovers' brought tears to my eyes...

Anyway, the nitpicking aside, it was great to see this live.

The YouTube broadcast got cut halfway through the show, which is a pity, but it will give you a taste of what it was like:

The Mahavishnu gig was followed by the Goodbye Session.
Gregg Bendian (Mahavishnu Project) who was asked to lead the session, mentioned that the wanted to avoid having forty musicians on the stage.
He also would like to know in advance who would be participating so that he could discuss the pieces that he would like to perform, for which he would prefer a piece by Jeff Beck, one by Mahavishnu and one by Frank Zappa.
I guess not all musicians were that familiar with the music that Gregg proposed, so he switched it to an improvisation, leading into a FZ guitar piece.
An excellent decision.
Next to the Mahavishnu Project, we recognized members of the Hilo Jazz Orchestra, and Fred Händl.

Completely saturated, we did not stay for Putan Club.

Nevertheless, happy.
Very happy.
Glad to have seen these beautiful concerts live.
And to have shared this experience with some fine people from around the world.

Zappanale rules !

ZAPPANALE #35 - - - PART 17 - - - HAPPY TOGETHER

 Saturday, July 18, 2026,

Dear diary,
I enjoyed another episode of "Peter's Adventures in Zappanaleland".

The Yo Cats trio started the festivities over at Café Zikke.
Keyboards, guitar and drums.
Playful and funny.
Fred (on keyboards) had brought along a new album. Sort of a bootleg. Solo piano performing Zappa. More on this later.

The second morning event saw Pamela Des Barres reading from her "I'm With The Band" book.
I've read the book and I expected translations into German (which is nice but also very time consuming), so we skipped this.

In all, the Café Zikke location was very nice. It's sort of a pedestrian passageway to a parallel street where the Café Zikke terrace and some additional benches give room to the audience and the band is staged on the other side of the passageway.
Lovely.

Our afternoon started with Octafish on the Arf Stage on the festival ground.
An energetic and powerful opener. Exactly what a festival needs.

Next, the Hilo Jazz Orchestra brought the energy level down again with their Hawaiian reggae, only to revive it with some Frank Zappa tunes. Nice.

At 16h30, the highlight of the day: Tante Tofu performed their rock opera.
We've seen Tante Tofu in several incarnations but this new band is the best we've seen so far.
Great vocals, two guitars, a great sounding electric wind instrument,...
Loved it.
Being all mesmerized, I forgot to take a picture but I'm sure some will turn up soon. 

Also right up my alley was Mentat Routage.
Vocal artist (and jazz cornet player) Médéric Collignon lifted the performance to an extra level.
I loved their improvisation and the way that they approached the Zappa compositions. My only remark would be that they shouldn't have used the lyrics of the Zappa songs. It sounded a bit sloppy (and even onomatopoeic most of the time).
But as I said, I did like their improvisations and the way the approached the compositions. A lot.

And then, the Filthy Brillos took over the Arf Stage.
Energetic, chaotic, funny, and musically brilliant.
Born out of necessity at a previous gig, the band featured members of Yo Cats & the Husos (MSRBLN HRNSN).

This was FUN (in capitals).
There were too many great moments: Christian's guest appearance on vocals, the a cappella version of 'Happy Together', the switching of instruments, the amazing guitar solos,...

Our day finished with The Mahavishnu Project, performing Mahavishnu.
Amazing.
What a day.

ZAPPANALE #35 - - - PART 16 - - - THIS IS WHAT WE'RE HERE FOR

Friday morning felt like Saturday morning. But that was because of the extended pre-party on Thursday.
It was an additional day to the festival that took place at the Arf Stage, a very nice gift from the Arf Society.

Friday morning started with two concerts in the center of Bad Doberan, at Café Zikke.
Smalltape was the first one to take the proverbial stage. Performing a solo set, we heard more intimate versions of some of the songs that had been performed by the larger band on Thursday.
I really like it.
Philipp (Nespital) made great use of his loop station, resulting in optimal use of guitar, keyboards and vocals. Progressive rock in a solo setting. Very nice.

Smalltape performed at 11h00.
At 12h00, the (Petit) Halo Jazz Orchestra was up.
Lounge jazz, a couple of Frank Zappa tunes ('I'm The Slime' and 'Road Ladies'), and a handful of Hawaiian reggae tunes.
A fine start of the day.

And, yes, the Mexican Pope was there as well :-)

(Mick, Angel & yours truly)

Around 14h00 Doom Gong set things in motion on the festival ground.

We walked in just in time to hear a snippet from "200 Motels" after which they switched to an exhilarating version of 'King Kong'. Goosebumps.
Doom Gong's original material is pretty high-energy. Great to listen to and great to watch as well.
I'll be on the lookout for some video snippets...

"VKB Plays Tom Waits" was nice. Great voices, lovely harmonies, surprising instruments and sounds.

Lovely. And they performed a Zappa tune. I can't stress enough how much I like that bands do the effort to add a Frank Zappa tune to their setlist when performing at Zappanale. That's what makes the Zappanale experience even more special.

And the expos, of course. Here's Angel with the expo on his latest project, which started as a t-shirt design.

At 18h00, from London, UK: The Lovers Of Invention.
An amazing show !!
Trombone, saxophone, marimba, guitar (x 2), bass, drums, keyboards,...
What a sound. And Jonah Hitchens, what a voice.

And shortly after the concert had finished, we were informed of the upcoming storm. It would be short and powerful, but it would also be gone within an hour, so everybody was advised to leave the festival ground and to take shelter.

The schedule was moved back with one hour.
We didn't stay and drove back to the hotel.

So we missed Agitation Free and their video show, but that's OK as we were more than happy with what we had seen and heard.