Record Reviews

FRANK ZAPPA ~ HOT RATS ZAPPA 3841 (Barcode: 824302384121) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1969 Released: 1969 This is a reissue / remaster of the 8th album by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, released originally in 1969. The music was recorded in the studio during several weeks in 1969 and utilized a Sisyphean multi-tracking and overdubbing process, which can be studied in detail when listening to the 6CD Box Set “The Hot Rats SessionsFind albums with this title” released in 2019. The album presents six tracks, five of which are instrumentals, all composed by Zappa. The lineup, in addition to Zappa on guitar, includes violinists Don Sugarcane HarrisFind albums by this artist and Jean-Luc PontyFind albums by this artist, multi-instrumentalist Ian UnderwoodFind albums by this artist, vocalist Captain BeefheartFind albums by this artist (on one track), bassists Max BennettFind albums by this artist and Shuggie OtisFind albums by this artist, drummers John GuerinFind albums by this artist and Paul HumphreyFind albums by this artist and many other musicians adding minor contributions. The album presents a brilliantly innovative Jazz-Rock Fusion, intricate and complex and yet beautifully melodic, which became one of Zappa’s main musical avenues in years to come. It also presents some of his most recognizable compositions, which became trademarks during his concerts. In retrospect, if Zappa had recorded nothing else beyond this album, his musical Genius would have been already recognized in full, but of course this was just a beginning in many respects. The album became in time one of the most iconic recordings in American music. Overall, although this music is now over fifty years old, it sounds as fresh as it did when first heard and lost absolutely nothing of its power and everlasting beauty. This album remains an absolute Classic in every respect, which stands proudly as an icon of superb music, which still shines brighter than almost anything else recorded since. Side Note Frank Zappa created a vast recorded legacy during his lifetime, which is continuously being expanded using music recorded and stored in his extensive vault. The albums officially released and approved by Zappa are numbered sequentially in the "Official Release" series, from #001 to the last release so far #126. The albums between #001 to #062 were released during Zappa's lifetime and all the others were released posthumously. There are countless unofficial / bootleg releases on the market as well. Zappa's catalogue was remastered for CD release twice: in 1995 for the RykodiscFind albums on this label releases and again in 2012 for the ZappaFind albums on this label Records / UniversalFind albums on this label releases. The Zappa / Universal program includes 60 releases, which cover the entire catalog released during his lifetime (62 releases, except #013 "200 Motels" and the three Box Sets #043, #046 and #049 called "The Old Masters vol.I / II / III"), and 6 posthumous releases (#064, #065, #067, #068, #093 and #094), which were also included.

Updated: 22/09/2022Posted: 20/02/2022

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend