Towns, Colin + NDR Big Band - Frank Zappa's Hot Licks (and Funny Smells)
SKU
RENT-A-DOG2007
Colin is a well known and respected UK jazz big band arranger and composer, although he's pretty unknown outside of Europe. For his most recent album, he's returned to one of his original heroes, Frank Zappa (note: LOTS of great composers are obviously influenced by FZ's work - just check out all the really high quality (and some not-so-high quality) albums of FZ's work that are around these days). Working with the incredible NDR big-band, he's put together an original take on the master's work that is certainly comparable to - yet completely different - from our own Ed Palermo release. Recorded live at the Moers Festival, it captures the energy of a great live performance before an enthusiastic audience in excellent sound. There are many highlights here, but probably my own personal favorite is the quote Colin sticks in Peaches En Regalia from Edgar Winter's Frankenstein, since it has always been stupidly obvious to me that the doubled alto sax part in that song was basically lifted in spirit from Peaches! Good one, Colin!
"From its Varese-like opening to the closing 'G-Spot Tornado', this is, as Towns suggests, a fireworks display. These might not be every Zappatistas choice, but...Towns balances all the competing demands that this project presented. Soloists are matched perfectly to their setting and the arrangements both subtly extend Zappa's ideas while retaining the feel and sense of the originals...so much more than just a tribute album."-Duncan Heining/Jazzwise (UK)