Frank Zappa - 1970 - Funky Nothingness (2023)

Frank Zappa - 1970 - Funky Nothingness (2023) @320

Funky Nothingness is Prime Frank Zappa

Especially if you’re a fan of that Hot Rats/Chunga’s Revenge era

For some, the generosity of the Zappa Family Trust has reached critical mass.

Yet where others might grimace at the idea of another collection of unreleased Frank to lighten their wallets, I say pick your battles but by all means don’t let that stop Ahmet and Diva from flooding the market with their dad’s genius. 

Funky Nothingness is an especially tasty treat for those FZ fans with a particular affinity for the Hot Rats/Chunga’s Revenge era. In fact, these sessions are considered to be the bridge connecting Rats and Chunga, 25 unreleased and incredibly rare tracks, recently unearthed from the Vault after more than five decades, recorded shortly after Zappa’s groundbreaking solo debut, Hot Rats, with several of the same musicians.

The sessions, which took place primarily in February and March 1970 at the newly opened Record Plant in Los Angeles, included the five-piece band of Mothers member Ian Underwood (keyboard, saxophone, rhythm guitar), violinist and vocalist Don “Sugarcane” Harris, Wrecking Crew bassist Max Bennett, drummer Aynsley Dunbar and Zappa on guitar, vocals and percussion as well as production duties. 

Together the group recorded hours’ worth of original material, including covers and extended improvisations that drew from Zappa’s R&B and blues roots, while blending influences of the emerging jazz fusion scene and groups like Santana and Return To Forever. Largely instrumental, these recordings showcased the guitarist’s virtuosity, while offering what could have easily been the sequel to Hot Rats, had it ever been released.

“Funky Nothingness, as an album, is special in that it features at least three written compositions, three cover versions and multiple instrumental jam-oriented segments, all previously unreleased,” explains longtime Zappa vaultmeister Joe Travers, who co-produced the set with Ahmet. “It’s very rare to find that amount of music from one set of sessions that has gone unheard for such a long period of time.”

An accompanying 28-page booklet includes photos from the recording sessions by photographer John Williams plus liner notes and an individual track-by-track by Travers. Disc 1 features Zappa’s vintage mixes alongside several modern mixes by Craig Parker Adams who also mixed the bonus material on Discs 2 and 3,  which includes multiple takes on such Disc 1 highlights as “Chunga’s Revenge,” “Twinkle Tits” and “The Clap.”. All audio was mastered by John Polito at Audio Mechanics. In all, the 25-track collection includes 23 unreleased tracks totaling nearly three and a half hours of never-before-heard music. 

“With archival releases from the vault, it is normal to find different arrangements of past tunes featured in live concerts and studio settings with other bands, but actual NEW compositions are few and far between, especially from within Zappa’s golden years of the ‘60s and ‘70s,” explains Travers. “Funky Nothingness delivers on all fronts, showcasing Zappa’s love for rhythm and blues, picking up where Hot Rats left off with extended instrumental work-outs fusing rock, jazz and classical elements into music that can only be described as ZAPPA. The guitar work and virtuoso musicianship are in full effect.”

Tracklis

CD 1: Funky Nothingness – The Album

Funky Nothingness

Tommy/Vincent Duo I

Love Will Make Your Mind Go Wild

I’m A Rollin’ Stone

Chunga’s Revenge (Basement Version)

Basement Jam

Work With Me Annie / Annie Had A Baby

Tommy/Vincent Duo II

Sharleena (1970 Record Plant Mix)

Khaki Sack

Twinkle Tits

CD 2: Zappa/Hot Rats ’70 Session Masters and Bonus Nothingness

Chunga’s Revenge (Take 5)

Love Will Make Your Mind Go Wild (Take 4)

Transylvania Boogie (Unedited Master)

Sharleena (Unedited Master)

Work With Me Annie/Annie Had A Baby (Alternate Edit)

Twinkle Tits (Take 1, False Start)

Twinkle Tits (Take 2)

CD 3: Zappa/Hot Rats ’70 Session Masters and Bonus Nothingness

The Clap (Unedited Master-Part I)

The Clap (Unedited Master-Part II)

Tommy/Vincent Duo (Unedited Master)

Chunga’s Revenge (Take 8)

Halos and Arrows

Moldred

Fast Funky Nothingness

 

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Various - Box Of Vibes No. 42 (R-A-C) 2026 320 😎

So it my (Reb) turn to open this Box 42, with my selections from 1 to 8, then comes Andy's tunes with a sea theme from 9 to 16 and finally comes Concha's selections from 17 to 24. It's the normal mix of decades and genres of music, with alternative and covers versions included for your pleasure. 

* Enjoy, Reb 😎 Link 👇 *

 

Various - Chicago Blues 2006 Flac

I made this compilation for a mate, many years ago, in glorious Flac, re discovered it yesterday in my HD, after talking with him, and he said he still had it and listen to it still. So checked the tracks were all real flac and thought I would share here with you all, don't share enough blues on Vibes really. Playing time is about one hour 40 minutes. 

* Enjoy, Reb 😎 Link 👇 *

 

Berita

Conquering Spirit

(2013)

 

320

If you like what you see, look for the link in the comments. 

 

Simphiwe Dana

Grand Masters

(2015)

 

320

If you like what you see, look for the link in the comments. 

 

Various – Talkin' Trash! Lookey Dookey (Release Date Unknown) Flac 😎

* Enjoy, Reb 😎 Link 👇 *

Jimmy Cliff - Anthology (2003) 320 Re Post😎

Reb 😎 Links👇

Ok thought I would re post this wonderful compilation from a reggae legend, new link in the comments.  

Various Artists

Haynes Ultimate Guide to Northern Soul

[3 cds]

(2018)

 

320

If you like what you see, look for the link in the comments. 

 

Kat Eaton - 2024 - Honestly (Deluxe)

  Kat Eaton - 2024 - Honestly (Deluxe) @320

Sexy toffee anyone? No, it’s not me trying to offload left over Easter confectionary. “Sexy toffee” is broadcaster Gaby Roslin’s description of UK singer and songwriter Kat Eaton’s voice. Jools Holland’s opinion is less surreal; “A fabulous vocal talent”, he says.

A certain respected music publication who was ahead of media coverage in praise of Ms Kat, is quoted on her marketing bumph as saying: “Soul drenched and powerful. Bluesy, jazz-tinged and oozing with sheer class.” That music publication is none other than us: Music Republic Magazine.

We are and have been long-term admirers of this Welsh-born Sheffield lass and her vocal and writing talents – and that admiration is boosted with the recent release of her delightful new album, “Honestly”, via Kartel Music Group.

Having spent a decade based in London with husband and musical partner in crime Nick Atkinson, who co-wrote the songs here and produces “Honestly”, Kat is now back home in Sheffield, when she is not globe trotting on tour with her red hot band or in the studio crafting smashing stuff such as these 10 strong tracks.

Kat has toured the UK/EU supporting the likes of Jools Holland, Paul Carrack, The Teskey Brothers, Marc Broussard and Mamas Gun, alongside selling out multiple headline shows, co-writing with the likes of Caro Emerald, Ruby Turner and Roberta Campos, and breaking through to new territories via national radio play worldwide, and is very well respected soul and jazz performer.

After her acclaimed 2021 debut album “Talk To Me”,  the new one “Honestly” is more of the same: classy, sweet and soulful – all 10 original songs penned by Kat and Nick Atkinson. Her band is a powerhouse of talent; musicians who have played with the likes of George Benson, Ed Sheeran, Marc Ronson, Sir Tom Jones, Sir Van Morrison, Amy Winehouse and Gregory Porter.

Kat’s voice is perfect for mainstream radio [that caters for discerning music loving adults], and it has that velvety scrumptiousness a la Karen Carpenter, and raunchy and raw blues thang a la early Elkie Brooks. But Kat is definitely in her own lane in what she does and how she does it.

The set opens with strong values on “Addicted”. “Bad Advice” delivers gospel vibes – Kat likes her gospel style songs – including jaunty hand claps, and “Step By Step” is yet more gospel flavours. Not really a duff cut here.

The superb horn arrangements/performances from Trevor Mires (Trombone), Jim Hunt (Saxophone) and Louis Dowdeswell (Trumpet) are the icing on the cake across this record. The production values faultless; Kat’s vocals sound crystal clear and have not been messed about with as regards “the talent button” – aka reverb. This is a singer’s singer and auto- tune would be a cuss word if anyone with a mental impairment suggested it. Phrasing, tone, pitch: spot on throughout.

Nick’s guitar chops are well measured and a snug fit for this material. He wrote the Kat Eaton single lifted from the album, the lovely “Time We Said Goodbye”. Kat says the song is “….about moving on, specifically for us, on and out of London to live back up North to be closer to our families. It’s only been a year so it’s still bittersweet. We miss the buzz of London, but this album wouldn’t be what it is if we’d stayed”. It follows previous singles “Bad Advice” and “Addicted”.

Current single, “Ain’t No Mardis Gras” was from an idea inspired when Kat heard someone saying “ain’t no mardi gras” on a podcast, and she knew she had to get it into a song. A purely a capella track, (with hand claps and foot stomps) and its about sticking to who you are, “know your tribe, and don’t be pushed into being someone you’re not.” It features Natalie Duncan on backing vocals . Kat and Natalie Duncan’s backing vocals add superb value across the album.

Seems the word is out about Kat and her musical skills; since she has released new music, streams have shot up to in excess of six million on Spotify. Kat calls that “wild”. Once you hear her voice, these songs and this album; you’ll probably call it well deserved. We do, honestly.(Music Republic Magazine)

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Various - 12X12 Vol.10 (2026) 320 😎

 

Vol 10 in the 12X12 series plays for about 94 minutes. 

* Enjoy, Reb 😎 Link 👇 *

I can't believe we are already at volume 10 in this series, have compiled to vol 15 ready to share, including a Rasta Mix and 80's Vol II. 

Thanks to everybody who downloads these, I am so please people seem to like them. 

The Milkshakes - 20 Rock And Roll Hits Of The 50s And 60s 1991 CD reissue Flac😎

* Enjoy, Reb 😎 Link 👇 *

 

Various Artists

After Hours The Collection

Northern Soul Masters

[3 cds]

(2011)

 

320

If you like what you see, look for the link in the comments. 

 

Dr. Phibes And The House Of Wax Equations – Whirlpool 1991 320😎

Although the cover lists 10 tracks, Dreaming and Insomnia segue together in track 7.

* Enjoy, Reb 😎 Link 👇 *

XTC: This Is Pop 2017 mp4😎

XTC: This Is Pop is a 2017 documentary film directed by Charlie Thomas and Roger Penny about the English rock band XTC. It is focused on the group's musical evolution over the three decades they were active and includes new interviews with XTC guitarist Andy Partridge, bassist Colin Moulding, second guitarist Dave Gregory and drummer Terry Chambers. Archival footage, animations, and specially shot sequences are also featured. The title is derived from the 1978 XTC song "This Is Pop", which Partridge wrote as an attempt to define the band's aesthetic before rock critics could.

* Enjoy, Reb 😎 Link 👇 *

 

Various - From the Ground Up - Vol 03. Roots of Electronic - UK and US 2026 vbr

From the Ground Up 

An earwitness account of the electronic dance music revolution on Belgian dancefloors from 1984 to the mid nineties.

By Captain Crash

03. Roots of Electronic - UK and US

Warning this compilation is VBR, the majority of tracks are 320, but some are in lower bit rates. 

Thanks to Captain Crash for sharing this home made compilation with us on Vibes. 13 more volumes to come in this series. 

* Enjoy, Reb 😎 Link 👇 *

Simphiwe Dana

Firebrand

[Special Edition]

(2015)

 

320

If you like what you see, look for the link in the comments. 

 

Nomfusi

African Day

(2017)

 

320

If you like what you see, look for the link in the comments. 

 

Kat Eaton - 2021 - Talk To Me

Kat Eaton - 2021 - Talk To Me @320

Whereas some debut albums show artists still finding their feet and sonic direction, Kat Eaton is unashamedly bold & confident in her abilities as a vocalist and songwriter, effortlessly merging Soul, and classic R&B throughout a mature and well-rounded 10 tracks. Utilising completely live instrumentation (a must for Kat), 'Talk To Me' takes the classic vintage sound of inspirations such as Barbara Lynn and Lesley Gore and updates it with contemporary embellishments and relatable lyrics for the 21st century.

Less an artist in ascendancy, 'Talk To Me' solidifies Kat's place as an artist already at the top of their game and now ready to share the fruits of years of hard work to the world. (Kartel Music)

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Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO) – Complete Service = コンプリート・サーヴィス 1992 320

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Liliput – Liliput 1993 320 😎

Liliput were originally called Kleenex, this Swiss band had to change their name in order to avoid legal trouble with the tissue manufacturers. This all-girl-band (mostly) with a very energetic and original sound was considered by some as a sort of "the new Slits". After a few records and various personnel and musical changes they split in 1983. The first 10 tracks on CD1 they were still Kleenex, all remaining tracks on CD1 and all of CD2 they were Liliput. 

* Enjoy, Reb 😎 Link 👇 *

Grace Jones - Living my life 1982 Wav😎

* Enjoy, Reb 😎 Link 👇 *