Wednesday, February 28, 2018

OKRAÏNA RECORDS

Here's a recent release on Okraïna Records :

"Calling The New Gods"
by Senyaway



And here's one of their previous releases:
"An Idea In Everything"
by David Greenberger (Men & Volts !!), Glenn Jones and Chris Corsano


If you like these kind of stories, check out David Greenberger's audio and comic book series: The Duplex Planet !!


Tuesday, February 27, 2018

AN EVENING WITH TERRY BOZZIO


Wednesday, May 16 - Aalt Stadthaus, Differdange, LUX

Sunday, May 20 - Tivoli Vredenburg, Utrecht, NL


-- info: Philippe Lamoot

HARDY FOX - HARDY FOX


  • hardy fox: hardy fox
        (2018, cd, austria, klanggalerie gg271)

Hardy Fox. No alias. Just Hardy Fox.
This is Hardy Fox unlike you've ever heard him (or Charles Bobuck) before.
It still sounds a lot like The Residents. And maybe also a bit like Laurie Anderson.

http://www.klanggalerie.com/gg271


SEBASTIAN GRAMSS UNDERKARL - GOLDBERG

Adding data to the Underkarl discography, here's "Goldberg", Sebastian Gramss' tribute to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach.
The album presents16 compositions that were inspired by J.S.Bach.
I like it a lot.
This is modern jazz.


IMAGINE RAYMOND


Imagine Raymond = a tribute to the music of Raymond Scott

Mattias Laga: clarinet
Jon Birdsong: cornet
Michel Mast: tenor sax
Stijn Engels: piano, keys
Xavier Verhelst: bass
Jonathan Callens: drums, elektronics
Dijf Sanders: electronics
Victor Van Rossem: images

music and movies

20/03/2018 - 30CC Schouwburg Leuven Belgium
14/04/2018 - CC Muze Heusden-Zolder Belgium
17/04/2018 - Filmhuis Mechelen Belgium
18/04/2018 - Handelsbeurs Gent Belgium
19/04/2018 - KAAP | De Werf Brugge Belgium
20/04/2018 - CC Casino Koksijde Belgium
24/04/2018 - Flagey Elsene Belgium
26/04/2018 - De Casino Sint-Niklaas Belgium
27/04/2018 - Rataplan Antwerpen Belgium
10/05/2018 - CC Het Perron Ieper Belgium



DIMITRI VERHULST & TOO NOISY FISH


Two short movies, one trio (Too Noisy Fish = Peter Vandenberghe, Kristof Roseeuw and Teun Verbruggen) and one writer (Dimitri Verhulst).

"Nightwatch"
A literary movie-concert.

At 'De Muze' in Heusden-Zolder, BE
March 9, 2018

http://www.muze.be



PAUL WHITE HAS A NEW ALBUM OUT

Paul White, also known as He Who Samples Some Zappa From Time To Time, has a new album out.
I couldn't track down any Zappa clues in the below track, but who knows...



Monday, February 26, 2018

UNDERKARL - FREEMIX

One year after Underkarl's "Second Brain" album, the Enja records label released "Freemix", subtitled "Second Brain Revisited".
Obviously, the album presents reworked versions of most the compositions that could be found on "Second Brain". The result is quite impressive and has added a contemporary funky flavour to the original jazz tracks.
Except for Holger Czukay, I was not really familiar with various collaborators but that only added to the surprise.


TODD RUNDGREN HEADLINES SXSW FESTIVAL


Rock Legend TODD RUNDGREN Headlines Cleopatra Records First Ever SXSW Showcase!

Los Angeles, CA - One of the few remaining truly independent, privately owned record labels in existence today, L.A.-based Cleopatra Records has been championing underground music and outsider artists since its inception in 1992. Now, the label has teamed up with the biggest music festival dedicated to discovering and promoting new talent, SXSW, to announce the first ever official Cleopatra Records showcase. Headlining this special event is legendary songwriter/producer/guitarist, Todd Rundgren, an artist well known for pushing the boundaries of rock and pop with his distinctive flair for the eccentric and unusual. Todd’s newest album, White Knight, was released by Cleopatra Records in May of last year and features guest performances by Trent Reznor, Robyn, Joe Satriani and more.

In addition to Rundgren, the showcase will also bring together some of the label’s newest acts including dreamwave artist Pastel Ghost, whose first album Abyss has been reissued by Cleopatra and will also see their forthcoming album released later this year on the label. Alternative metal cabaret act from Mexico, Descartes A Kant, partnered with Cleopatra for their newest album Victims Of Love Propaganda in May of last year while L.A.’s own death rock architects, Egrets On Ergot, released Surfeit Of Germütlich last October. Electronic duo United Ghosts will issue their Cleopatra debut later this year while local Texas band Nite, consisting of twin brothers Kyle and Myles Mendez, saw their newest release Reborn launched in July of 2016. Each of these bands demonstrates the label’s fondness for uniquely creative acts and a commitment to supporting truly artist-driven music.

The official SXSW showcase for Cleopatra Records will be held at Elysium in downtown Austin, TX on March 15th. The first band will start at 8pm.



CANDY DULFER





PRINCE - 21 NIGHTS

Check this out !

https://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/prince-21-nights

£ 1,500
for a 17 kg, 200 page book...




ADRIAN BELEW UPDATE

from
https://horatiosmarketplace.bandcamp.com/merch/pat-mastelotto-bill-munyon-bpm-m-xtrakcts-artifakcts-cd

Featuring the voice and guitar of Robert Fripp, low frequency groove reinforcements of Tony Levin and his espresso machine, virtuoso Warr guitar musicality by Trey Gunn, Turkish synthesizer mastery from Cenk Eroglu, cuttings and snippets of vocals from Adrian Belew and David Byrne, Soothing Tabla acupuncture lesson from Aloke Dutta, Artwork and cartoons by Denis Rodier, And more, including you, the listener, and your ability to perceive things within this platter that may or may not exist in the first place.

Sunday, February 25, 2018

ZAPPA NOTES ON PAPER


I think it was earlier last year that "The Frank Zappa Songbook Vol.1" got a re-issue.
Originally published in 1973 (and then again in 1982)


Together with the below books, there's plently of Zappa notes to be found on paper...

From 2011.
Also from 2011.
From 2001.
From 2003.

And even from 1982... (but also re-issued in 2017)


MARKUS REUTER'S HEARTLAND BLEEDS PROJECT


Markus Reuter is working on an ambitious project String Quartet “Heartland Bleeds” /

More info at:
http://www.markusreuter.com/string-quartet/


FILTHY HABITS ENSEMBLE PLAYS STRAVINSKY


You might know the Filthy Habits Ensemble from their all-Zappa-compositions "King Kong" album as part of the Unmatched series on the Hall Of Fame label.
Or maybe from their appearance at the Zappanale festival in 2010.

The band released their "Filthy Habits Ensemble Plays Stravinsky" album in 2013 !!

Check it out here:
https://octoberxart.bandcamp.com/album/plays-stravinsky-lhistoire-du-soldat-live-at-jamboree-official-cd

or here :



CONDOR GRUPPE

from Jezus Factory Webshop :

Exciting news!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The BRAND NEW and third Condor Gruppe album 'Interplanetary Travels' is released on 16th March and available to pre order.
https://www.jezusfactory.com/shop/condor-gruppe-interplanetary-travels/


Condor Gruppee is back with a new record, Interplanetary Travels. The title hinting at Sun Ra is no coincidence. Pushing their musical boundaries even further, Condor Gruppe recorded 8 new songs that give you the creepy feel of a horror scene, the heroism of the best film scores and the hypnotizing grooves of jungle tribes. Diverse, yet exciting and challenging enough to give you a mesmerizing trip through the band’s own dusty record shelves.

“Just like a little child pulling his balloon back to earth while walking around exploring”, that is Condor Gruppe music…

Condor Gruppe are: Michiel (guitar), Jan (bass), Krist (drums), Kris (keys, guitar), Milan W. (guitar), Dirk (trumpet, percussion), Matti (sax, percussion), Nicolas (sitar), Hanne (Baritone Sax), Rozanne (Horn)

LIVE

  • 16.03: ROMA – ANTWERP, BE
  • 17.03: AB – BRUSSEL, BE
  • 30.03: NEST – GHENT, BE
  • 18.04: HET DEPOT – LEUVEN, BE

WIBG

WIBG, formerly known as Wooden Indian Burial Ground, is touring Europe in March and early April.
The band will be promoting their new release "Winnie & The Nihilist".


01.03 - Leuven (BE)
03.03 - Breda (NL)
04.03 - Rotterdam (NL)
06.03 - Hannover (DE)
07.03 - Gotenborg (SE)
08.03 - Aalborg (DK)
09.03 - Hamburg (DE)
10.03 - Berlin (DE)
11.03 - Ostrava (CZ)
12.03 - Prague (CZ)
13.03 - Zagreb (HR)
14.03 - Florence (IT)
15.03 - Rome (IT)
16.03 - Vogogna (IT)
17.03 - Lustenau (AU)
19.03 - Bristol (UK)
21.03 - London (UK)
22.03 - Brighton (UK)
23.03 - Ghent (BE)
24.03 - Paris (FR)
25.03 - Saint Etienne (FR)
26.03 - Le Chambon-sur-Ligon (FR)
27.03 - Toulouse (FR)
28.03 - Grenoble (FR)
29.03 - Montpellier (FR)
30.03 - Olten (CH)
31.03 - Rennes (FR)
03.04 - Barcelona (ES)
04.04 - Azkoitia (ES)
05.04 - Biarritz (FR)
06.04 - Bordeaux (FR)
07.04 - Brussels (BE)

SEBASTIAN GRAMSS UNDERKARL - JAZZESSENCE

German ensemble Underkarl was founded in 1993 by Sebastian Gramss.
The band recently released their 8th album and they're worth your attention.

"Jazzessence" was the band's second album. Released in 1999.
You get 74 minutes and 30 tracks of Brecker Brothers, Ellington, Hendrix, Gil Evans, Charles Mingus, and more.
All reworked (and reassambled / recreated) by Underkarl.
Love it.



Saturday, February 24, 2018

BEPPE CROVELLA PLAYS MIKE RATLEDGE

MoonJune Records has just released an album by Beppe Crovella on which he plays the music of Soft Machine keyboard player and composer Mike Ratledge : "What's Rattlin' On The Moon?".




Friday, February 23, 2018

ZAPPA PAINTING FOR SALE OVER AT CATAWIKI

Catawiki auctions has the following item up for bids :


https://auction.catawiki.com/kavels/15007543-frank-zappa-quentin-robert-de-nameland

Original Art piece by Frank Zappa and Gail Zappa. 

Origin of the character used in both Greggery Peccary AND Thing Fish!! Frank did most of the work on it on March 28, 1970 and Gail did hers on October 3, 1971

13 by 8 1/2 inches

Purchased at the Zappa estate auction at Julien's Auctions in Los Angeles. 


SATANTANGO - MR.BORE

Here's something special.
Satantango's first album (released on the Italian Wallace Records label) includes 10 tracks (1 to 10), but the album also lists a track 0 (zero).

And it's this hidden track that caught my interest as it's Satantango performing Don Van Vliet's 'Clear Spot'.
Unfortunately, I can't get it to play. A Google search told me that I have to use the rewind button to get to the track, but that doesn't do the trick...
Tried some other things as well, but as of yet, no luck...


FRANK'S HOLOGRAM TOUR

Dude, the official Zappa band is going to happen

0

"My eyebrows went up" — Frank's hologram to tour


https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2018/feb/21/blurt-frank-zappas-hologram-tour/#

  • Mike Keneally: “It’s definitely not for me to imagine how he might have used the technology."

Monday, February 19, 2018

THE WRONG OBJECT

The Wrong Object
in concert
at l'An Vert
in Liège, BE

on June 2, 2018

-- info: Philippe Lamoot

ARISTOCRATS TO TOUR EUROPE IN SEPTEMBER


THE ARISTOCRATS announce A TWO WEEK EUROPEAN TOUR IN SEPTEMBER 2018

Supergroup trio The Aristocrats, (comprising guitarist Guthrie Govan, bassist Bryan Beller and drummer Marco Minnemann) have just announced a European Tour. The tour takes place in September 2018 and will bring the band’s unique and unrivalled brand of instrumental rock/fusion to excited fans across Europe. These will be the only live shows from The Aristocrats in 2018 and they are destined to be memorable ones, with a unique set list stacked with gems - some hits, and some surprises - from their three mind-blowing studio albums.

The band are excited to get back on the road together. Guthrie Govan has deemed the announcement of this tour to be “A Most Pleasing Thing: it’s certainly been a little while since the last time the three of us made a loud, bewildering noise on stage together! Lately, each of us has been keeping thoroughly busy in a wide variety of different musical scenarios so I have a feeling that all manner of new influences and inspirations might start to reveal themselves spontaneously during these forthcoming Aristocrats shows… I’m really looking forward to hearing what happens!”

Over the last seven years The Aristocrats have toured the world and been greeted with wild enthusiasm and sold out shows. A reviewer for Heavy Mag in witnessed the band’s Melbourne show and commented that “it was very apparent that I was witnessing three artists at the top of their game…Most acts could not even begin to emulate the sense of authenticity that came from the stage”.

When it comes to the music, unpredictability is the name of the game. Bryan Beller said "I'm really looking forward to doing what we do best - getting out there and interacting live onstage, where anything can and does happen in a millisecond's notice, and songs can mutate in any direction at any time. And I'm especially excited to revisit some of the stuff we haven't played in a while, throw it back up in the air, toss it around a bit, and see what happens!"

The final word goes to Marco Minnemann, who noted that “You can’t predict or force chemistry. You just basically have to wait for it to fall from the sky. With the Aristocrats trio it surely did. When we plugged in and played for the very first time, it was instantly clear to us that something special was going on. It’s great to take this ‘musical threesome’ back on tour. Let’s see if our rubber animals feel like joining us, too (we’re talking about music here folks... just making sure...).”


Tour Dates

September 11th – Silema (Malta) – Teatru Salesjan
September 14th – Zurich (Switzerland) – Kaufleuten
September 15th – Esch Sur Alzette (Luxembourg) – Rockhal
September 16th – Zoetermeer (Netherlands) – De Boerderij
September 18th – London (UK) – Islington Assembly
September 19th – Paris (France) – Trabendo
September 21st – Madrid (Spain) – Sala Mon
September 22nd – Barcelona (Spain) – Sala Bikini



Sunday, February 18, 2018

KING GIZZARD AND THE LIZARD WIZARD - FLYING MICROTONAL BANANA

  • king gizzard and the lizard wizard: flying microtonal banana
        (2017, europe, cd, heavenly recordings hvnlp136cds)
I don't know much about the dozen other albums by King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard as I keep on playing "Flying Microtonal Banana".

Psychedelic microtonal music. At least, on this album.
Love it.

And I did add their discography to the United Mutation Archives.



LES GEORGES LENINGRAD - DEUX HOT DOGS MOUTARDE CHOU.

Garage rock / experimental rock band Les Georges Leningrad are from Montreal, Quebec.
They covered The Residents' 'Constantinople' on their "Deux Hot Dogs Moutarde Chou" album from 2002. Excellent version !!

The album has been re-released at least once (my copy is from 2004 and is on the Alien8 label) with one different track..



UKULELE DUB SOCIETY - UKULISM



The Ukulele Dub Society is a project by Pit Baumgartner.
On "Ukulism", Pit & friends display some fine playing. A couple of original tunes, mixed with some classics, show the added value of a ukulele.
Includes Johnny Guitar Watson's 'Real Mother For  Ya' and Frank Zappa's 'Inca Roads'.

I like it a lot.


UNHOLY SWILL - LEGACY OF STUPIDITY

According to Discogs, Jim Gibson started the Noiseville record label in 1998 to release music for his band Unholy Swill. After two albums and a bunch of singles, the punk rock band (or should I say drunk rock band?) did a final concert at Rockin Rex in Yonkers, NY. Must have been around 1993.
Next to the band's early singles and some other rare stuff, this "Legacy Of Stupidity" album includes a couple of songs from their final concert. One of these songs is Frank Zappa's 'Willie The Pimp'.




POIL + NI = PINIOL

Piniol = the collaboration of two bands, Poil + Ni
They will be releasing an album later this year.



Data has been added to the Poil entry over at the United Mutations Archives, together with some earlier Poil releases.





POIL - L'IRE DES PAPES / DINS O CUOL

I recently received my copy of this excellent re-release.
As far as I know, "L'ire Des Papes" had only been made available as a download and "Dins O Cuol" had been released on LP and on CD (next to the download) but had been unavailable on a physical format for quite a while.
Enter lifesaver Charly and his FreakShow Records label who put both of the albums together in a 2CD-set.

Excellent !!

Limited release of 100 copies.



SHORTSTACK - THE COVERS EP



Washington DC-based alternative country band Shortstack tackles 5 songs on their 2008 "Covers EP". It includes compositions by Ray Davies, John Fogerty,... and Don Van Vliet.
'Her Eyes Are A Blue Million Miles'.
Nice.


WHO THE F*@% IS FRANK ZAPPA?


WE'RE TELLING THE STORY!
Posted by Alex Winter (Creator)

IT'S OFFICIAL!!

The documentary is up and running! News just posted here about our partnership with the awesome folks at Great Point Media. GPM are independent financiers which gives us maximum creative freedom to make the movie we all want. I couldn't be more excited to be working with them and making the movie in this manner. Fully independent, the FZ way!

WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN EXACTLY?

It means the doc is fully financed and our work has begun! It's going to be a long haul so don't expect to see the movie until well into 2019 at the earliest. We're telling an epic tale with a LOT of amazing archival media, thanks to all of you! So we will post some milestones as we go and have a better idea of schedule and the shape of it.

How an indie doc works is that at some point along the process of making the movie we will secure our partners for distribution. That can happen before we're done, or when we're done and showing the film at festivals. In any case we will keep everyone informed.

SO WHAT ARE WE DOING ALL DAY?

We have an enormous amount of archival footage (like you don't know that already) and will spend the better part of the next several months going through the material and getting it to a place where we can work with it in editorial.

Once that process is further along then the heavy lifting in edit and the interview process can begin in earnest. So thanks again to all of you for making this happen. Because of our amazing backers we have saved the vault and will now tell the story!

MUCH more anon!

Alex Winter


Saturday, February 17, 2018

JEAN JEAN - FROIDEPIERRE

French duo / trio Jean Jean released their first EP in 2010. Their first full-length album, "Symmetry" saw the light of day in 2013.
Their mix of complex, instrumenteal math rock with dance floor beats got them concerts in Europe, the U.S., and even Japan.

Their brand-new album, "Froidepierre, is named after the mountain cabin where the new tracks got recorded.
It's a fine collection of energetic songs that focusses more on the beats than on the math rock-aspect.
Out on Head Records, available from Mandaï.
www.mandai.be

Here's a preview:


And the previous album, "Symmetry" :



C74 - ARLEN'S LOFT

C74 is Brussels-based project by graphic artist, photographer and musician Fabrice Toussaint.
His recent cassette, "Arlen's Loft" is available from Mandaï. (www.mandai.be)

Fabrice states:
C74 explores tribal sounds and dissonnance like first albums of early eighties N.Y. bands.

Also available on bandcamp :




ALESSANDRO CARBONARE & TETRAKTIS PERCUSSIONI - INVENZIONI



Clarinet player Alessandro Carbonare teamed up with the Tetraktis Percussioni ensemble to perform pieces by and tributes to, among others, Béla Bartok, Thelonious Monk, Steve Reich, Igor Stravinsky and Frank Zappa.
The Zappa tribute is entitled "FZ For Alex" and is, in fact, a re-arrangement of Frank Zappa's 'Inca Roads'.
This album got released in 2013 on the Italian devision of the Universal label.
Beautiful.


MORE CHARLES BOBUCK ON BANDCAMP

A couple of recent Charles Bobuck releases (on CD by Klanggalerie) have been made available on Bandcamp.
To make things more confusing (or artistic, as some might say), these re-releases carry a different album cover.
And while on the topic, some of the older bandcamp releases change album cover from time to time...






MOHINI DEY

From a couple of years ago :


And more recently, here's Mohini performing with Guthrie Govan:
Wow...


With Marco Minnemann


STU HAMM UPDATE


Bass Icon Stu Hamm To Tour The US In Support Of New Album “The Diary of Patrick Xavier”



Legendary bassist Stu Hamm will be touring the US end of February in support of his highly anticipated new concept album “The Diary of Patrick Xavier”! Stu Hamm has been the go-to bass player for the world's great musicians. Time spent playing with Steve Vai and Joe Satriani has cemented his place among the greats and gave him the platform to display his pioneering bass techniques to adoring crowds worldwide.

“The Diary of Patrick Xavier”

2015 started out with a bang. My life was tossed in a blender, and I decided to go on a walkabout to sort things out. I booked as many gigs as possible and became the Flying Dutchman of bass players. Those of you who actually know me, know that I am always reading something. And, as much as I love the convenience of my Kindle, and reading comics on my iPad, nothing beats the feel and smell of actually holding a book in your hands. When I finish a book, I leave it in the seat pocket in front of me (if I'm in a plane), or hide it somewhere in the hotel room, where I hope that housekeeping won’t find it, but a bored, lonely fellow traveler might…pay it forward y'all!!

And so…I finished reading “The Shadow-Line” by Joseph Conrad on the beach in Pescara, and pedaled it back with me at the end of the day to Citta'Bianca Hotel and placed it on the bookshelf in the lobby…Then, something caught my eye…It stood out because what was written on the spine was in English. “The Diary of Patrick Xavier”. What I held in my hands was a diary of an American named Patrick Xavier who, after life changing events, had decided to travel for 18 months to find…???...and to keep a journal of his physical, emotional and spiritual journey. And now it gets weird. Although the Agent of Change that happened to Patrick was quite different from what happened to me, the experiences he was going through were just too close to my own to be ignored. We were searching for the same answers to the same questions.

Reading what he went through was heartbreaking, hilarious, inspiring, and all too familiar to me. Anyway, it was all very intriguing. This is how music is created. I came upon the idea to write songs based on P.X.'s journal entries…or at least the ones that mirrored my own experiences and that I could relate to in such a way as I could get the point of the text across musically. I won’t quote directly from his journal entries, but will give a brief description of what he wrote that moved me to write the music. Our man Patrick is a much better writer then me, or maybe…the writer I would have liked to become had my life tilted differently at key moments. The names and places have been changed to protect the guilty… the innocent can take care of themselves. - Stu Hamm

Stu Hamm has traveled the world from Boston to Belfast to Budapest, Bali and Berlin. He's performed in a 19th century circus tent with Joan Baez, and recorded a duet of “Do Right Woman” with her. HAMM has performed with Mick Jagger, played sold out shows at Royal Albert Hall and in front of 120,000 people in Mexico City with a Mexican Rock Band.

Hamm graduated from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he met guitarist Steve Vai and, through him, met Joe Satriani. He played bass on Vai's 1984 debut solo album, “Flex-Able” and in 1990 Hamm was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Degree from his Alma Mater. He has performed and recorded with Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, Michael Shenker, Frank Gambale, and many other well-respected guitarists, however, it was playing live on tour with Satriani that brought Hamm's skills to national attention. Subsequent recordings with Satriani and other rock/fusion artists along with the release of his own solo recordings (featuring keyboard player Tommy Mars, guitarists Alan Holdsworth and Robert Fripp, drummers Steve Smith and Tommy Lee), solidified his reputation as a bassist and performer.

Stu Hamm solo tour dates:

FEBRUARY 27, TUE - St. Paul, MN (Vieux Carré)
FEBRUARY 28, WED - Milwaukee, WI (Shank Hall)
MARCH 1, THU - Chicago, IL (Reggie's)
MARCH 2, FRI - Indianapolis, IN (Irving Theater)
MARCH 3, SAT - Evansville, IN (Mojo's BoneYard)
MARCH 4, SUN - St. Louis, MO (Fubar)
MARCH 6, TUE - Cincinnati, OH (MVP)
MARCH 7, WED - Detroit, MI (Token Lounge)
MARCH 8, THU - Cleveland, OH (Wilbert's Music)
MARCH 10, SAT - Kenneth Square, PA (Kenneth Flash)
MARCH 11, SUN - New Hope, PA (Havana)
MARCH 15, THU - Marlboro, NY (The Falcon)
MARCH 16, FRI - Providence, RI (Alchemy)
MARCH 17, SAT - Boston, MA (The Middle East Upstairs)
MARCH 18, SUN - Brookline, NH (Oak Hill Music Hall)
MARCH 20, TUE - Piermont, NY (The Turning Point)
MARCH 21, WED - Pawling, NY (Darryl's House)
MARCH 22, THU - Schenectady, NY (The Van Dyck Lounge)
MARCH 23, FRI - Syracuse, NY (Funk 'n Waffles Downtown)
MARCH 25, SUN - Rochester, NY (Lovin' Cup)
MARCH 27, TUE - Buffalo, NY (The Tralf)
MARCH 28, WED - Toronto, ON (The Garrison)




Friday, February 16, 2018

FRANK ZAPPA - LIVE IN BARCELONA 1988



The Sonic Boom record label recently released this 2CD set with Zappa's 1988 Barcelona concert. Another so-called 'radio show album'.

A fabulous concert. Yes.
A lousy job. Indeed, as the recording has way too many annoying drop outs.

Don't buy this. It's rubbish.

For the best available version of this recording, visit Zappateers.


MEPHITI

Out on the Negocito record label :



Erik Bogaerts - Alto Saxophone
Ruben Machtelinckx - Guitar
Indrė Jurgelevičiūtė - Kantele [kanklės]
Bert Cools - Guitar & Synth
Brice Soniano - Double Bass
Stijn Cools - Drums


SHOB RELEASES SECOND ALBUM


French Bassist Shob To Release Second Album “Karma Obscur” In April 2018

Talented French bass player Shob, who has collaborated with many artists (Roger Biwandu (Zawinul Syndicate), Patrick Rondat (G3), PapaGuyo (Sly & Family Stone), Patrick Bebey, Charles X, Eths...), will be releasing his second album “Karma Obscur” in Spring 2018! His critically acclaimed debut “Pragmatism” (2015) received over 500,000 hits on youtube, more than 600 physical copies sold, 10,000 downloads sold!

Shob's new album “Karma Obscur” is a progressive rock/funk album with a really tight and meticulous production. Sixteen guests have participated in the recording, all amazing musicians. The album is described as “Dark Funk,” which was really Shob's state of mind when it was written. Throughout the record, you will encounter crazy beatbox parts (Beasty), amazing soul vocalist (Laurène P Magnani), insane metal guitar solos (Pierre Danel/Kadinja), body-builded drum parts (Morgan Berthet), African percussion and grooves (Ludo Lesage)….Always cleverly mixed.

In support of his forthcoming album, Shob is preparing to tour Europe in April 2018 covering 7 countries: France, Germany, Holland, Slovaquia, Italy, Austria, Norway. His band features Morgan Berthet (Myrath, Eths, Klone, Kadinja) on drums, Denis Cornardeau on guitar and Tony Lavaud (Charles X, Santa Machete) on keyboards.

Shob's music is described as intense progressive rock/funk played live by amazing musicians, and has been compared to Snarky Puppy, Marcus Miller, Herbie Hancock, Oz Noy, and Larry Graham. He has played more than 1000 shows over the past 6 years, and his solo project allowed him to open for great Jazz artists such as Scott Henderson, Jeff Berlin, and Gary Novak. He played some of the greatest places such as: Hell Fest open air (Mainstage France), Graspop fest (Bel), Wacken Fest (Ger), Ziget fest (Hung), Madrid electric fest, Elysée Montmartre (Paris), ST Emilion Jazz festival, Moscow, Rio, Sao Polo, Santiago Chile, Barcelone, St Barth, and Europe.

One thing defines Shob's shows: GROOVE. Audience must be prepared to burn the dance floor out on this crazy fusion funky sound. This said, technical virtuosity lovers won't be disappointed. Shob's quartet are some of the greatest musicians in their category. Also, there's a large part of improvisation during the ensemble's shows, in which each musician can express himself, and interact with the audience…which makes every show UNIQUE.

Shob “Karma Obscur” Tour 2018

02.04.2018 FR-Marseilles, venue TBA
05.04.2018 AT-Frauental, Bluegarage
06.04.2018 SK-Bratislava, Museum
07.04.2018 AT-Vienna, Reigen
08.04.2018 AT-Linz, SMARAGD CC TBC
09.04.2018 DE-Passau, Cafe Museum
10.04.2018 DE-Fürth, Kofferfabrik
12.04.2018 DE-Karlsruhe, KOHI
14.04.2018 NL-Tilburg, Paradox
16.04.2018 DE-Celle, Herzog-Ernst
17.04.2018 DE-Göttingen, Nörgelbuff
19.04.2018 DE-Unna, Kühlschiff
20.04.2018 DE-Nordhausen, Cyriaci-Kapelle
21.04.2018 DE-Rodgau, Maximal Kulturinitiative Rodgau
22.04.2018 NL-Zoetermeer, Boerderij (afternoon show)
24.04.2018 FR-Nancy, MAI France



Thursday, February 15, 2018

TOM IBARRA

https://www.tomibarra.com/

http://www.londonjazznews.com/2017/12/news-interview-french-guitarist-tom.html

July 22, 2016 at the Saint Emilion Jazz Festival.

Tom Ibarra on the guitar !!



DWEEZIL ZAPPA - LIVE IN THE MOMENT II

I've been giving Dweezil Zappa's "Live In The Moment II" some extra spins the last couple of day. I like the mix between the Frank tunes and his own improvisations (of which some have a familiar sounding backing...).

The below solo isn"t on the album, but you'll get an idea of what to expect...



R. STEVIE MOORE & ALAN JENKINS

R.Stevie Moore and Alan Jenkins recorded an album together : "The Embodiment of Progressive Ideals".
It's out on CD on Cordelia Records.



VARIOUS ARTISTS - DR. DEMENTO COVERED IN PUNK



Barry Hansen (aka Dr. Demento) will turn 77 in a couple months.
The Demented Punk Records Records label recently put out a 2 CD set entitled "Dr Demento Covered In Punk".
The album has Barry presenting punk version of tunes by artists that are forever linked to Dr. Demento's radio show like Barnes & Barnes (Fish Heads !!), Weird Al Yankowic or Frank Zappa.

Amazing (and hilarious).
Disc two includes Dr. Demento and Moon Zappa introducing Dale Bozzio doing 'Disco Boy', but there's also a great version of 'My Guitar' by the Meatmen.
Or as Barry says : "Every Dr. Demento Tribute Compilation needs a Frank Zappa song or two".

Also out as a 3 LP set in two different editions (colored vinyl and multi-colored something).

Here's a picture of Bleecker Bob (of the famous NYC record store) & FZ.


Wednesday, February 14, 2018

JOE DENINZON & STRATOSPHEERIUS

Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius : 'Behind The Curtain',
from the album "Guilty of Innocence" (Melodic Revolution Records ©2018)




STICK MEN ON TOUR


STICK MEN
feat. TONY LEVIN, MARKUS REUTER, PAT MASTELOTTO
PROG NOIR CHAPTER FIVE EUROPEAN TOUR


March 1 - Bologna, Italy (Bravo Caffè)
March 2 - Roma, Italy (Planet Live Club)
March 3 - Firenze, Italy (Viper)
March 4 - Milano, Italy (Blue Note)
March 5 - Lugagnano di Sona, Verona, Italy (Il Giardino)
March 7 - Vienna, Austria (Porgy & Bess)
March 8 - Budapest, Hungary (Budapest Jazz Club)
March 10 - Nove Mesto Nad Vahom, Slovakia (Blue Note)
March 11 - Brno, Czech Republik (Sono Centrum)
March 13 - Prague, Czech Republik (Lucerna Bar)
March 15 - Wolverhampton, England, UK (Robin 2)
March 16 - Cardiff, Wales, UK (Acapela Studios)
March 17 - Fletching, England, UK (Trading Boundaries)
March 18 - Savigny Le Temple, Paris, France (L'Empreinte)
March 19 - Helsinki, Finland (Tavastia)
March 20 - Pori, Finland (Validi Karkia Klubi)
March 22 - Skopje, Macedonia (Stanica 26)
March 24 - Dortmund, Germany (Musiktheater Piano)
March 26 - Aschaffenburg, Germany (Colos Saal)
March 27 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands (Melkweg)
March 29 - Barcelona, Spain (Sala Bikini)
March 30 - Madrid, Spain (Cool Stage) opening act XaDu
March 31 - Malaga, Spain (Cochera Cabaret)


Tuesday, February 13, 2018

TOM TRAPP IS TOURING WITH MAXSAX

Tom Trapp (who arranged pieces by Frank Zappa and by (and for) Steve Vai, to name just two) is touring with Maxsax, a band that features Tini Thomsen (baritone sax), Nigel Hitchcock (alto sax), Mark Haanstra (bass, and Joost Kroon (drums).
Multi-instrumentalist Tom will be playing the (funky) guitar.

Next Saturday, in concert at the 'Paradox' jazz club in Tilburg, NL.



Monday, February 12, 2018

FRANK ZAPPA - THE ROXY PERFORMANCES

7 CD's in one box. With great music. In my humble opinion, some of the best music that was ever made. Period.

I don't need no Halloween Zappa Mask. Or a cape.
Let alone some memory stick with x concerts.
Sure, I bought the Halloween Pack, but there's nothing like a perfect looking box with a fine booklet and a set of CD's.

Superb !! Best release of the year. Already.

Ahmet ! Can you hear me ?  Ahmet ?! Re-release the Halloween set as a box and we'll be friends again...




Sunday, February 11, 2018

THEORY OF OBSCURITY


These Japanese 112-page "Theory Of Obscurity" books were sold in Japan during the screenings of the Theory Of Obscurity movie.
Published by Medamaron Books.



WHILE MY GUTIAR GENTLY WEEPS





VINNIE COLAIUTA AND TOTO

Former Zappa drummer Vinnie Colaiuta is featured on the new Toto album : "40 Trips Around The Sun".


-- info : Jan van Kemenade

DA WILLYS - SATUHDAY NITE PALSY

New York City based punk band Da Willys released their "Satuhday Nite Palsy" album on the German Brake Out Records label. It got released on vinyl and on CD.

Track number 10 is an up-tempo version of Captain Beefheart's 'Fryin' Pan'.

Here's what the band sounds like:



WALTER DANIELS MEETS JACK OBLIVIAN AND THE SHEIKS - WE HAVE BOTH

I mentioned this 7" last month as it has an excellent version of Captain Beefheart's 'I Love You, You Big Dummy' on the B-side.
It has been released in three different versions: 100 copies with a black and white cover (with the 7" on black vinyl) plus 100 copies with a colour cover on yellow vinyl and 100 copies with a colour cover on red vinyl.

the b/w cover

the colour cover

And here's the audio :



SPINIFEX - AMPHIBIAN ARDOUR

Promoting their latest album, Spinifex played a fine concert at the 'Plusetage' in Baarle Nassau, NL, last month.
"Amphibian Ardour" got recorded in Lisbon, Portugal, and one can hear that the band had a good time.
I would call it adventurous. Or energetic. Or probably both.

Check it out here :



Here's a snapshot of the band in action in Baarle Nassau :


John Dikeman: tenor saxophone - Bart Maris: trumpet - Tobias Klein: alto saxophone - Jasper Stadhouders: guitar - Philipp Moser: drums - Gonçalo Almeida: bass


ACHIM REICHEL / A.R. & MACHINES

After having been the frontman for 1960s beat group The Rattles, Achim Reichel co-founded the psychedelic pop group Wonderland with Les Humphries in 1968.
In 1971, Achim Reichel left the band and started his solo project A.R. & Machines.

Here's 'Cosmic Vibration' from the "Die Güne Reise" (1971) album.




Saturday, February 10, 2018

VANTOMME - VEGIR

I mentioned this excellent album by Dominique Vantomme a little while ago as I had given the digital version a listen. In the meantime, I received the CD so I'm now able to give you a little update.

"Vegir" is a very enjoyable album. It's the perfect soundtrack to unwind.
Meandering themes hosting fine improvisations.
Out on the MoonJune records label.
Featuring Dominique Vantomme, Michel Delville, Tony Levin and Maxime Lenssens.



SPINIFEX - 2005-2015



August 2015, Spinifex started a kickstarter project to release "2005-2015", a box that would include their first four albums plus one bonus disc with live material from various spinifex incarnations.
Eventually, the box was made available in 2016.

Next to "Trioda", "Hipsters Gone Ballistic", "Veiled" and "Maximus", the set included "Spinifex Live" as an extra. This bonus album presented material by "Spinifex Indian Spin", the "Spinifex Tuba Band" and "Spinifex Bollycore".
Excellent stuff.

Info has been added to the United Mutations Archives.


PROJECT/OBJECT TO TOUR WITH NAPOLEON MURPHY BROCK AND DENNY WALLEY


Project/Object will be performing the music of Frank Zappa,
with special guest Napoleon Murphy Brock and Denny Walley.

https://www.projectobject.com/tour


APRIL

18 WED - SELLERSVILLE PA - SELLERSVILLE THEATRE
19 THU - NEW BRUNSWICK NJ - THE COURT TAVERN (!)
21 SAT - PAWTUCKET RI - THE MET CAFE
24 TUE - NEW HAVEN CT - TOAD’S PLACE
25 WED - NORTHAMPTON MA - IRON HORSE
26 THU - ALBANY NY - COHOES MUSIC HALL
28 SAT - SCHUYKILL HAVEN PA - JIBBERJAZZ FESTIVAL

MAY

01 TUE - BUFFALO NY - THE TRALF
02 WED - CLEVELAND OH - BEACHLAND BALLROOM
04 FRI - MILWAUKEE WI - SHANK HALL
05 SAT - CHICAGO IL - MARTYR’S
08 TUE - PITTSBURGH PA - THE CLUB CAFE
09 WED - ROCHESTER NY - THE LOVIN’ CUP
12 SAT - NEW YORK CITY NY - THE CUTTING ROOM
13 SUN - PHILADELPHIA PA - TO BE CONFIRMED/ANNOUNCED !!

MORE DATES T.B.A !!!!!

THE BAND !
NAPOLEON MURPHY BROCK VOC/SAX
DENNY WALLEY GTR/SLIDE GTR/VOC
ANDRE CHOLMONDELEY GUITAR/VOC
KENDALL SCOTT SYNTHS/KEYS
JERRY CUCCURULLO DRUMS
ANDREW WALLEY BASS


MONIKA ROSCHER BIGBAND - FAILURE IN WONDERLAND

The first album by the Monika Roscher Bigband, "Failure In Wonderland", got released in 2012.
It's a perfect companion for the more recently released "Of Monsters And Birds".
Stunning.

Modern big band jazz, sometimes even with vocals.
Love it.

http://www.monikaroscher.com/musik/


And they'll be at Zappanale !!

IKE WILLIS / OSSI DURI - - - ITALIAN TOUR 2018





TWO NEW SEMI-OFFICIAL ZAPPA RELEASES

It's hard to keep track (so I don't) but two new semi-official Zappa releases have been spotted :

A vinyl album : "Live In November, 1973",


and a 2 CD set : "Have A Little Tush"


-- info: Danny Mathys


DARIUS - CLOTURE

  • darius: clôture
        (2018, cd, switzerland, czar of crickets)
Next month, the Cold Smoke Records label will team up with Czar Of Revelations to release "Clôture", the brand-new EP by Swiss post-rock / metal band Darius.

Instrumental.
Raw.
Without compromises.


ALESSANDRO CARBONARE AND TETRAKTIS PERCUSSIONI

Alessandro Carbonare and the Tetraktis Percussion ensemble recorded a Frank Zappa composition (or a Frank Zappa tribute) on their Invenzioni album.
More info soon.


MATT BERRY - NIGHT TERRORS

Actor ('The Mighty Boosh' sitcom) and musician Matt Berry recently released "Night Terrors".
This is laid-back / jazz / lounge music.
Track 6 is Matt Berry's take on Zappa's 'Mr.Green Genes'.
I like it.

A fine addition to The Others Of Invention.

Here's a live version.
Keep in mind that the album version does sound a lot better, but you'll get an idea of the arrangement.



MONIKA ROSCHER BIGBAND - OF MONSTERS AND BIRDS

It does not happen that often, but every once in a while I discover an album that makes my jaw drop.
"Of Monsters And Birds" is such an album. I recently caught a bit of music by the Monika Roscher Bigband on YouTube and that sounded quite interesting. It made me check out "Of Monsters And Birds", her latest album, and I got blown away by it.

Superb !!
Essential listing!!



FLYING HORSEMAN - ROOMS / RUINS

Bert Dockx' Flying Horseman project has recently released its fifth album.
Inspired by 1970's psychedelic rock, yet with a very recognizable sound.
At times, "Rooms / Ruins" sounds fragile but there's always this underlying tension and energy.
I like it a lot.



Friday, February 9, 2018

FIRST SOLO ALBUM BY HARDY FOX

to be released next week


First solo album by former Residents composer Hardy Fox after the Charles Bobuck era. An album full of minimal love songs, a portrait of the young Hardy Fox.

http://www.klanggalerie.com/gg271



DEUS ANNOUNCE NEW GUITAR PLAYER


FROM TOM BARMAN

Hi everyone,

Today we’re anouncing the name of our new guitar player.

As of now, Bruno De Groote will join us in the writing of new material, the recording of a new album later this year, and on stage, wherever dEUS is setting sail to.

Trust us: He is flamboyant, well dressed, and he can swim!

More importantly, he’s a great guy, a soulful singer and a hell of a guitarplayer.

We welcome him in the dEUS family, and are excited about him following in the footsteps of a great cast of guitarists over the past 25 years.

So hear, hear.....Bruno The Great is among us!
Spread the word loudly or whisper his name in awe.
You have been warned.

Tom



Z.E.R.O.

Z.E.R.O. plays Zappa

4 tracks from 3 CD's
featuring Ike Willis !! (and many more)




ENSEMBLE ARMONITE


from Glass Onyon PR

Italian Instrumental Ensemble Armonite Signs With Cleopatra Records!

Italy - Armonite, the instrumental rock collective led by composer Paolo Fosso and violinist Jacopo Bigi, signed with LA-based indie label Cleopatra Records for the release of their new album, "And the Stars Above".



BEAT LOVE ORACLE

Beat Love Oracle is a spin-off of Frank Nuyts' Hardscore ensemble.

The quartet has already done some try-outs and is aiming at some concerts at the Gentse Feesten festival, next July.


Thursday, February 8, 2018

GEORGE ANTHEIL


Ballet Mécanique (1923–24) is a Dadaist post-Cubist art film conceived, written, and co-directed by the artist Fernand Léger in collaboration with the filmmaker Dudley Murphy (with cinematographic input from Man Ray).
It has a musical score by the American composer George Antheil.



-- info & link: Zjakki Willems


THE RETURN OF THE BIZARRE WORLD OF FRANK ZAPPA


https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/feb/06/the-bizarre-world-of-frank-zappa-hologram-tour-announced-ahmet


Tuesday, February 6, 2018

DAMO SUZUKI

from Glass Onyon PR

Legendary CAN Vocalist DAMO SUZUKI Teams Up With German Space Rockers JELLY PLANET On A New Album!

Los Angeles, CA - Damo Suzuki, former lead vocalist for the massively influential krautrock band Can, has famously retired from studio recording. However, he continues to perform live concerts made up solely of compositions improvised entirely on the spot. These bold and fearless performances have enthralled audiences around the globe and brought new found attention to Suzuki’s incredible talent. Purple Pyramid Records is proud to present a new chapter in Suzuki’s ongoing musical explorations, a stunning collaboration with a German quartet of Can neophytes, going by the very Can-esque name of Jelly Planet. After performing live with Damo, the band was able to coax the singer into their studio for a fully improvised full length recording. Unlike previous Suzuki recordings, the studio setting gave the performers full control over every aspect of the recording ensuring that every nuance, inflection, and dynamic could be heard. The result is an album of incredible sonic quality and an authentically mind-blowing exploration into the outer edges of space rock! The self-titled album, Damo Suzuki & Jelly Planet, will be available on CD, vinyl (as a double LP set) and in digital formats starting February 2.




GOV'T MULE


Gov't Mule has officially announced their 2018 Spring Tour kicking off April 18 in Bethlehem, PA and making stops in Baltimore, Syracuse, Port Chester, Asbury Park, Mobile and more on the way to their annual show during Jazz Fest at the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans. Joining The Mule will be Kentucky rockers Black Stone Cherry, The Marcus King Band (in New Orleans) and The Tangiers Blues Band (in Asbury Park).



THE BIZARRE WORLD OF FRANK ZAPPA


Live music hologram production company Eyellusion and the Zappa Family Trust have revealed the core lineup and guests for an upcoming Frank Zappa hologram tour. The tour will be dubbed “The Bizarre World Of Frank Zappa” and will take place late in 2018.

Longtime and legendary Zappa players Ray White, Mike Keneally, Scott Thunes, Robert Martin and Joe “Vaultmeister” Travers will make up the core lineup for the tour. They will be joined along the way for select shows by a bevy of special guests that have performed with FZ in the past: Steve Vai, Warren Cuccurullo, Ian Underwood, Vinnie Colaiuta, Napoleon Murphy Brock, Arthur Barrow, Ed Mann and more. Look for the tour to feature hours of never-before-seen Zappa performance footage from the early ’70s. The dates and additional guests will be confirmed soon.

“As a futurist, and hologram enthusiast, Frank fearlessly broke through boundary after boundary as an artist and in honoring his indomitable spirit we’re about to do it again, 25 years after his passing,” said Ahmet Zappa, EVP of business development for Eyellusion and co-trustee of the Zappa Family Trust in a statement. “This mind-melting show we’re putting together celebrates the music, often surreal imagery and humor synonymous with Frank. We will be pushing the limits of what anyone has seen holographically on stage before in a live venue. Circumstances, objects, places and subject matter from Frank’s songs and imagination will be brought to life for the first time on stage. We are anthropomorphizing Frank’s music, so his own hand drawn illustrations, classic imagery from his album artwork and characters from his songs can all interact and perform on stage. And let’s not forget, Frank himself will be rocking his fans, alongside his bandmates like nobody’s business. My father and I actively discussed 3D and ‘holography’ and it was a concept he actively engaged in. He actually devoted half a chapter of his The Real Frank Zappa Book (1990) to this subject. This is a love letter and a journey celebrating the genius artistry of Frank Zappa. On a personal note, I feel like I am finishing something my father started years ago.”

Today’s announcement shares some details on the never-before-seen footage:

In 1974, Frank Zappa transformed his Los Angeles rehearsal space into a sound stage and cranked out a passionate, trademark performance seen only by the camera operators in the room who captured every last bizarrely beautiful moment. This footage, locked away in the Zappa vaults for 44 years, will serve as the basis for what will be the world’s most ambitious hologram tour to date, blending live footage of Frank with outrageous visuals that offer a striking view into his complex musical works. Dates for “The Bizarre World Of Frank Zappa” performances will be announced in the coming months. “When we debuted rock’s first live hologram experience in 2016 and saw the reactions of mesmerized fans in the crowd, we knew we tapped into something huge,” added Jeff Pezzuti, CEO of Eyellusion. “We’ve been working tirelessly since then to create live music experiences that people could previously only dream of, drawing full capacity crowds along the way. Until now, it would have been unheard of for fans to imagine being treated to a lost Frank Zappa performance backed by more than a dozen of the iconic musicians that played with him throughout his career. But this is why Eyellusion was founded – to make the impossible come to life before the eyes of fans, and preserving the legacy of music’s most important artists so it can be passed down to future generations.”


http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/frank-zappa-hologram-tour-band-lineup-announced/


THE UNIVERSE BY EAR WILL BE TOURING GERMANY



16.02.18  DE-Hagen, Werkhof
17.02.18  DE-Frankfurt, Das Bett
23.02.18  DE-Fürth, Kofferfabrik
24.02.18  DE-Hamburg, Indra Musik Club
03.03.18  DE-Berlin, Quasimodo


Monday, February 5, 2018

THE FALL - REFORMATION POST T.L.C.

The 'enhanced CD'-version (= the U.S.-release) of The Fall's "Reformation" includes a video of the band performing 'Hungry Freaks Daddy", as recorded during their 2006 North America tour.
Info has been added to the United Mutations Archives.

Here's a YouTube snippet from 2007 :



RICCARDO FASSI TANKIO BAND - PLAYS ZAPPA - THE RETURN OF THE FAT CHICKEN

Remember Riccardo Fassi's 1995 album? Riccardo Fassi Tankio Band Plays The Music Of Frank Zappa" ?
Well, he's back with another (superb) tribute album. Subtitled "The Return Of The Fat Chicken", the tracklist counts ten Zappa compositions, the George Duke classic 'Uncle Remus' and a couple of intros and outros composed by Riccorado Fassi and Antonello Salis.

This is great. A beautiful package (CD, jewel case in a slipcase) and a some great arrangements. Except maybe for the slow version of 'G-Spot Tornado'... I'll have to give that another listen...

And also featuring the fabulous Napoleon Murphy Brock on vocals on a couple of tracks.
What else do you need to know?

An essential album for the Zappa freak.