guitar during the loping blues “ Cosmik Debris ” while telling the tale of turning the tables on a religious huckster . The show concludes as Dunbar drives a series of freaked-out jazz-soul solos during the 18- minute expansion of “ Chunga ’ s Revenge .” The 20-piece Grand Wazoo ensemble is represented by a newly released Zappa treatment of “ Approximate ” from the Boston Music Hall .
The box also features a 44-page booklet with illuminating liner notes by Zappa Vaultmeister Joe Travers and biographer / ZappaCast host Scott Parker , as well as photos from the recording sessions , rehearsals , and tour . The box set is a treasure for Zappaphiles , and the LPs are recommended for newer disciples who want to bridge the gap between the well-known Hot Rats and Apostrophe (‘) albums .
– Jeff Elbel
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GORILLAZ Cracker Island
( Warner )
Cracker Island comes out of the gate with an intense flurry of sound that seems completely at odds with Damon Albarn ’ s 2021 solo album The Nearer The Fountain , More Pure The Stream Flows . Skipping the dour moodiness of that album , Cracker Island ’ s title track announces itself instantly with a simple hook , a slamming beat , and a rubbery baseline courtesy of Thundercat . Albarn ’ s ability to switch from Scott Walkeresque baroque folk to the neon disco party of Cracker Island is his most central strength . Perhaps the contrast in the world between 2021 and 2023 reflects this change in flavor . While things aren ’ t exactly perfect in 2023 , the world is certainly returning to some normalcy that seemed completely up in the air in 2021 . Where the previous Gorillaz album Song Machine Volume One featured some strong collaborations with greats like Robert Smith , Peter Hook , and Elton John , much of the record had that pandemic-era file-trading vibe that felt slightly cold and clinical . Cracker Island feels more homegrown . A song like “ Silent Running ,” not a Mike + The Mechanics cover , features a well-honed melody that can easily work as an uptempo pop song or as a strippeddown piano ballad , as heard on one of the deluxe version ’ s bonus tracks . “ Baby
Queen ” is one of those signature Albarn cathartic ballads in the tradition of Blur ’ s “ The Universal ” and Gorillaz ’ “ On Melancholy Hill ” that is equal measure poignant and psychedelic . Producer Greg Kurstin ( Beck , Paul McCartney , Foo Fighters ) has come a long way since his days with Geggy Tah , filling these tracks with sophisticated sonic details . Lots to love here , and it is all packed in under 40 minutes , with a microdose of warmth to the whole album . While one could maybe find themselves missing the star-crossed lo-fi trip-hop of the Dan the Automator-produced debut Gorillaz album , it appears that after twenty years this cartoon band has become a real , thriving collective . With Gorillaz mounting a worldwide arena tour last year and Blur reuniting this summer for a Euro stadium tour Damon Albarn might be the only current rock musician with multiple , simultaneous arena acts to his name .
– Andy Derer
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MARVIN GAYE Greatest Hits Live in ‘ 76 ( Mercury / Universal )
“ Star time , ladies and gentlemen !,” says Marvin Gaye ' s hype man as this concert begins and the celebrated singer steps onto the Edenhalle Concert Hall stage in Amsterdam . The crowd goes wild for the soulful set opener “ All the Way Around ” from the then-current album IWantYou , reflecting the pent-up excitement awaiting Gaye ’ s first European tour . Gaye digs into bluesy boogie “ Come Get to This ,” accompanied by a trio of background vocalists and a spirited countermelody by Nolan Andrew Smith on trumpet . The crowd soon reaches a fever pitch for Gaye ’ s gritty performance of “ Let ’ s Get it On .” Gaye improvises and stretches the song ’ s arrangement while his sharp band vamps with solos by the organist and brass section . “ It ’ s kinda warm in here , baby , let me get comfortable ,” says Gaye to screams and cheers . Gaye announces a trip back in time to the ‘ 60s and acknowledges audience requests with his medley of ten indelible Motown classics including snippets of “ Ain ’ t That Peculiar ,” “ I Heard it Through the Grapevine ,” “ Hitch Hike ,” and “ How Sweet It Is ( To Be Loved by You ).” Although the songs from sociopolitical masterwork What ' s Going Onheard on side two are justifiably lauded and beloved , the highlight of the side is a lively medley of duets including " It Takes Two "
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