THE VERSACE EXPERIENCE (PRELUDE 2 GOLD)

"The Versace Experience" is a rare release by Prince.
Originally issued in 1995 on cassette, it will be made available on CD next September.

https://www.nme.com/news/ultra-rare-prince-album-finally-getting-full-release-versace-experience-2534683

MIKE KENEALLY

‘Zappa at Dizzy’s’ a frankly deep dive for Mike Keneally.

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/music/story/2019-08-03/zappa-at-dizzys-a-deep-dive-for-mike-keneally

August 18, 2019
Dizzy’s,
Arias Hall (behind the Musician’s Association building)
1717 Morena Boulevard, Bay Park
San Diego

FRANK ZAPPA'S PERFORMANCE GUITAR

Here's an interview with Kuni Sugai of Performance guitars.

https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/Hot_Rodder_to_the_Stars_Inside_Performance_Guitar

https://www.guitarplayer.com/players/frank-zappa-inside-the-guitars-and-amps-of-his-greatest-recordings-video

DE LORIANS

Japanese rock band De Lorians has just released their first album.

Listen to track number three and admit that you started whistling another tune...


-- info: Danny Mathys

VARIOUS ARTISTS - THE SELF PRESERVATION SOCIETY

The Self Preservation Society
12" Triple Vinyl with USB
Various Artists

A cornucopia of carefully curated covers…
This triple vinyl album features 34 carefully-chosen songs from the late 1960s and early 1970s, from genres that encompass progressive, folk and psychedelic rock.

Curated by Lush’s Mark Constantine and performed by a galaxy of bright stars, the album captures a period of time that was rich with experimentation of all kinds, an era when anything and everything could happen. Original compositions from artists as diverse as Genesis, Cream, The Zombies, Nick Drake, The Doors and Frank Zappa have been given the deluxe treatment by a phalanx of great talent including Teddy Thompson, Eliza Carthy, Jackie Oates, Marry Waterson and Julie Tippetts.

It’s been three long years in the making; the result is an extraordinarily diverse and diverting record.

Side D features Elliot Ingber's 'Don't Bogart Me' performed by Honeyfeet

Side E features Frank Zappa's 'Montana', performed by Iamesh and the Secret Collective

5. Montana – Iamesh and the Secret Collective
Max Lewis Poscente – vocals
Shaun Johnston – piano, synths, organs, drums and backing vocals
Peter Robinson – guitar, bass, drums, sound design and  backing vocals
Co-produced by Shaun Johnston and Peter Robinson

https://www.eccrecords.co.uk/product/the-self-preservation-society/

NEW ZAPPA BOOK

Not sure if I mentioned this already, this new Zappa book will be out soon.
Sonicbond Publishing !

It's called "On Track" and should be out next month.

https://www.wymeruk.co.uk/webshop/books/rock/frank-zappa/frank-zappa-1966-to-1979-on-track-by-eric-benac/

-- info: Danny Mathys

DEVIN TOWNSEND ON TOUR

Devin Townsend's latest album, "Empath" is on my wantlist. Especially since Mike Keneally plays on it.

Devin Townsend will be touring.
He'll play at TRIX in Antwerp, BE on November 16 and it's almost sold out...
One day later, he'll perform at 013 in Tilburg, NL.

https://www.trixonline.be/nl/programma/devin-townsend-us-haken-gb/2243/

THE RESIDENTS UPDATE

from the newsletter :

As ever, The Residents’ train continues to roll, and August 9th sees the release of their ‘God In Three Persons’ pREServed 3CD set, which is choc full, as usual, of related stuff – this time around there’s the instrumental OST version of the album, live recordings, singles and, most exciting of all, some demos and a previously unheard 23-minute piece entitled ‘Knot In A Million Years’. It’s must-hear stuff if you’re a fan of the original album. You may know the group are particularly keen on this record, and are currently bringing it to life as a stage show, which is something they’ve been hanging on to since 1988. So, y’know, stay up to speed and check it out.

https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/the-residents-god-in-three-persons-3cd-preserved-edition

Meanwhile, next up in the pREServed series, we’re delighted to confirm, will be two highly anticipated sets. Firstly, a 2CD 1971-1972 thing, which will include ‘The W***** B*** Album’, ‘B.S.’, three live recordings made during that period and some other related bits and pieces. You’re probably aware that ‘The W***** B*** Album’ and ‘B.S.’ were released as Record Store Day only titles over the last couple of years, but this is the first time on CD for both. Something of a bumper 2-fer about that one! And, drumroll…. we’re also pleased to confirm that a 2CD ‘Not Available’ set will be along at the same time. It took a while, and The Residents took some persuading, but eventually they dug those multitrack tapes out and dove into that material as it was before Ralph Records broke trust, re-processed it and turned it into ‘Not Available’ in 1978. So there’s an entire disc of previously unreleased stuff on there, some of it familiar (but different) and plenty of it never-before-heard. Personal favourites are ‘Where To Begin?’, ‘Theme From X’, ‘Fairly Well’ and ‘Love Sprong’, but that’s just us. Along with sleeve notes that try to explain what the hell was going on with that album, its paradigm-shifting stuff, honestly. Not to be missed.

Meanwhile, the group are busy with their next surefire hit album, the ‘Dyin’ Dog’ project. Word is things are almost-but-not-quite in the can, and there’ll soon be news of tracklist, formats and so on. We’ve heard some of it, and have struggled to let go of a couple of the tunes ever since. Some of the record will be familiar to those of you who came along to the ‘In Between Dreams’ tour too. Who could forget ‘Die! Die! Die!’ being screamed at a room full of people hoping they’ll play ‘Santa Dog’ at some point?

As ever, there’s more, and there’ll be more of these missives. Tell a friend, share the love and just try to enjoy the ride. Until next time….

Your Pals,
New Ralph Too

MOONJUNE RECORDS ARTISTS AT SHAPESHIFTER LAB

https://shapeshifterlab.com/calendar-of-events

A message from Leonardo / MoonJune Records :

Dear Friends in Music
If you happen to be in NYC on August 18, please come to this evening of eclectic MoonJuniverse music. You will be greeted and treated with homemade cookies and mind blowing music. If you are not able to come, no worries, we are recording the evening.

7:00pm the Uruguayan maestro Beledo will hit the stage with his new band featuring his old pal and bass maestro Lincoln Goines, Kenny Grohowski on drums and my good friend Ofer Assaf willing join the gang on sax for a couple of tunes (or more!). And at 8:15pm the improv trio of Markus Reuter, Tim Motzer and the busiest guy of the evening Kenny Grohowski will cherish you with the cosmic 'post-gomonos' space groove.

ShapeShifter Lab
Brooklyn, NY
shapeshifterlab.com
A creative music and recording studio and art hub run by Matt Garrison.

ANOTHER ZAPPA RADIO SHOW ALBUM

A 2CD set called "Radio Show"...
on Laser Media.