Frank Zappa- Waka/Jawaka (1972)

We're going to take a turn for the weird this week with a dip into the extensive back cataloge of Frank Zappa. Waka/Jawaka fits into a phase of Zappa's career where he was going back and forth between genres and generally trying out whatever he damn well pleased. This album is the second in a trilogy of sorts, all of which are heavily inspired by Jazz. However, upon a listen, Waka/Jawaka really has little in common with Hot Rats (1969), and is more in line with The Grand Wazoo (1972).

If Hot Rats had intensity, aggression, and gusto, Waka/Jawaka is a smooth, polished, and articulate jazz-rock record. The arrangements are much more restrained,with a less wild feel. Smooth jazz is what the inspiration is here. However, Zappa does more than just provide an album of elevator music. He adds some musical merit which elevator music lacks. For example, he plays around with time signatures, the track "Big Swifty" contains passages in 7/8, 6/8, 3/4, and 4/4. There is also the presence of keyboard work which takes some inspiration from Space Rock, zoning out in the background while everything else plods along. The album is split between two short tracks ("Your Mouth" and "It Might Just be a One Shot Deal"), which have vocals and are typical Zappa humor and satire, and two longer, 10+ pieces ("Big Swifty" and "Waka/Jawaka") which are instrumental and focus on soloing

Waka/Jawaka is a decent listen, but there's light years of differences between it and the far superior Hot Rats. Waka Jawaka lacks the energy and driving force that can really draw the listener in. The music here is technically very good, but I rarely find myself bothering to listen to it. Not one of Zappa's best.

Grade: C