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Waka/Jawaka

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

Waka/Jawaka was released in July 1972 and is Frank Zappa's fourth solo album. It is a jazz-inspired successor to Hot Rats of 1969 and the precursor of The Grand Wazoo, which followed in November 1972. According to Zappa, the title once came up on a Ouija board. The four pieces feature, among others, the trumpeter Sal Marquez, the drummer Aynsley Dunbar and the keyboard player George Duke.

Big Swifty is jazz fusion with plenty of brass, room for improvisation and changing time signatures. It Just Might Be a One-Shot Deal tells a strange story about hallucinations, sung by Marquez and Janet Ferguson, with a dreamy pedal steel by Sneaky Pete Kleinow. The first reviews were mixed. Rolling Stone called it second-rate Miles Davis, but still one of Zappa's most enjoyable records. Its reputation has grown since.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Big Swifty and notice Sal Marquez's many trumpets and the changing time signatures before the piece settles into a swinging rhythm.

Track list

  1. 1Big Swifty17:25Apple Music ↗
  2. 2Your Mouth3:12Apple Music ↗
  3. 3It Just Might Be A One-Shot Deal4:16Apple Music ↗
  4. 4Waka/Jawaka11:16Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗

Categories: Albums and songs