Frank Zappa: Jazz From Hell

By Fred Dellar

Hi-Fi News & Record Review, March 1987

FRANK ZAPPA: JAZZ FROM HELL
EMI EMC 3521

Not much jazz and it's hardly fair to even blame hell for that which exists. After all, I can't imagine Nick letting his hothouse get so tedious. What Zappa has elected to toss our way this time is merely a 34 minute sample of instrumental experimentation that didn't work out. Applied to some suitable film footage, it might prove of some use, otherwise it's really New Age music for the Mensa mob. Those wishing to hear how Zappa could really apply his particular genius to jazz are hereby pointed in the direction of the 1970 Hot Rats, one of that year's most creative releases. [A:3]  (= very good recording, moderate performance)