Artist: Trank Zappa Grappa in Varese?
Label: Fazzul Music
Released: 2008
Rating: 4.2/5
Trank Zappa Grappa in Varese? is the musical project of Swiss saxophonist Markus Stauss, a man of a thousand faces and a thousand bands. In this one, Stauss plays sax, joined by a few younger colleagues on guitar, bass and drums.
Going by the band’s name (did Zappa drink grappa in Varese?), you’d expect a project with a pretty solid musical link to Frank Zappa or Edgar Varese, but in reality you can’t really feel any strong connection to either of them. Zappa’s jazz rock was quite different from the style TZGIV play, and the experiments Varese and Zappa pulled off aren’t exactly similar to what Stauss’s band does either. Still, even if the music doesn’t sound all that much like those two artists, their influence and legacy are so huge that you can feel it indirectly.
As is typical for Markus Stauss, this project rests mostly on jazz. As on his other releases, there are extra ingredients too, like classical and medieval music (the guitarist even described the music as a mix of jazz, punk and medieval music). This time, though, the stronger presence of guitar creates a heavier feel, almost like Mahavishnu Orchestra (I wouldn’t exactly call it punk, though). There’s also plenty of improvisation (and not just the jazz kind), which adds that typical Stauss experimental touch. But this time the experimentation feels more spaced-out, less organized and more chaotic, so it takes a bit more time to spot the potential and skill hiding in these pieces.
This project is completely one of a kind too. Sure, you can spot some connecting threads across all of Stauss’s projects, but the biggest strength of his music is its uniqueness, no matter which project we’re talking about. He could have recorded a typical jazz rock album, full of showing off technical chops and the odd good melody, but as usual for Stauss, he and his bandmates once again came up with something beyond all expectations. Yet another brilliantly conceived, intelligent album, brought to life by the legendary Swiss saxophonist. All you fans of Zappa, Weather Report and Soft Machine – keep an eye on this lineup and this album, because it might be just the thing for you.
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Trank Zappa Grappa in Varese? is a musical project by the Swiss saxophone player Markus Stauss, the man of a thousand faces and a thousand different bands. This band features Stauss on saxophone, joined by a few younger colleages on guitar, bass and drums.
Judging by the name of the band (Did Zappa drink grappa in Varese?), you’d expect there to be some musical relation to either Frank Zappa or Edgar Varese, but there’s no great connection to either. Zappa’s variety of jazz rock was very different to the style TZGIV plays and Zappa’s and Varese’s experiments are done quite differently than those of Stauss’s band. But still, even though the music really isn’t similar to that of those two artists, the music Zappa and Varese created and the legacy they left behind was so influential that it can be felt through indirect channels.
As is already usual for Markus Stauss, this project is again based mostly on jazz. Like with some of his other albums, there are certain other elements, like classical and medieval music (the guitar player describes the music as a mixture of jazz, punk and medieval). However, this time round the prominence of the guitar creates a heavier, almost Mahavishnu Orchestra feeling at times (I wouldn’t really call it punk though). There’s also a great improvisational element present (not just jazz), which adds a classical Stauss experimental note. This time, however, the experimentation seems a bit out there, less organized and more chaotic, so it takes a bit more time to realize the potential and skill hidden in those segments.
This project is again totally unique. You can notice some common features between Stauss’s projects, but the greatest asset of his music is its uniqueness, no matter which project he’s involved in. This could have been a typical jazz rock album with some fine technical playing and an occasional memorable melody, but as is usual for Stauss, he again created something that is beyond all expectation with his bandmates. Another in a line of well crafted, intelligent albums masterminded by the legendary Swiss sax player. Fans of Zappa, Weather Report and Soft Machine beware, this might be something for you.
Lineup
Michel Delville – guitar, guitar synthesizer, electronics
Markus Stauss – saxophones
Damien Campion – bass
Laurent Delchambre – drums, percussion, electronics
Production
TZGIV
Tracklist
1. Opening with objects
2. Perpetuum
3. OG
4. More memories
5. Little fragment
6. Surinam
7. For Jean
8. Kater Carlo
9. Alone at lost and found
