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Quando se fala de Frank Zappa, a vastidão de sua obra e a diversidade de seus estilos tornam difícil saber por onde começar, especialmente para quem não é tão eclético quanto o próprio músico. A tarefa se torna ainda mais desafiadora se o ouvinte não estiver disposto a explorar todos os caminhos sonoros pelos quais Zappa nos conduz.
Waka/Jawaka faz parte de uma aparente trilogia que inclui Hot Rats e The Grand Wazoo. Este álbum é um passeio por orquestrações grandiosas, improvisações jazzísticas e aquelas estranhezas musicais que só Zappa sabia criar. Embora as composições pareçam menos direcionadas e as ideias instrumentais um pouco menos inventivas em comparação aos outros dois álbuns, Waka/Jawaka ainda se destaca. Se você já considera Hot Rats e The Grand Wazoo grandes obras, não terá dificuldade em encontrar prazer neste disco.
Um aspecto notável aqui é que a guitarra, embora presente, parece menos proeminente do que em seus trabalhos anteriores. Claro, os solos característicos estão lá, mas a sensação é que Zappa estava mais interessado em conduzir a orquestração do álbum do que em ser o protagonista. A sonoridade é uma viagem, com o músico explorando habilmente cada desvio sonoro de sua vasta paleta instrumental. E instrumentos, de fato, não faltam aqui. Assim como em Hot Rats, Zappa reuniu uma impressionante seleção de músicos talentosos para preencher cada espaço sonoro do disco. Em termos de camadas sonoras, Waka/Jawaka talvez seja um dos maiores feitos d músico, exceto, claro, quando não consideramos suas obras com a Orquestra Sinfônica de Londres.
O disco começa com a magnífica "Big Swifty", uma faixa que pode rivalizar facilmente com clássicos como Mwandishi de Herbie Hancock ou Bitches Brew de Miles Davis. Zappa entrega uma performance confiável que é impulsionada pelo baterista Ainsley Dunbar, conhecido por seu trabalho no blues, mas que aqui revela todo o seu talento. "Big Swifty" é uma jornada soberba pelo jazz-rock, com metais perfeitamente encaixados em uma peça de jazz brilhantemente construída, temperada com as peculiaridades de zappianas. Embora não seja tão exploratória e guiada pela guitarra como em Hot Rats, ainda assim proporciona ao ouvinte uma sensação maravilhosa e sem falhas.
"Your Mouth" segue com uma melodia direta de blues rock, adornada por arranjos de metais e vocais femininos, que acrescentam um toque divertido, mas não tão inspirado quanto o restante do álbum. "It Just Might Be a One-Shot Deal" lembra a faixa anterior, mas com uma inclinação mais americana, quase country. O destaque vai para o solo de guitarra de influência havaiana e que traz uma originalidade refrescante ao álbum, funcionando como um excelente interlúdio.
O álbum se encerra com a faixa-título "Waka/Jawaka", que possui uma estrutura diferente da abertura brilhante de "Big Swifty". Embora não atinja a mesma genialidade, é ainda uma música excelente, repleta das habilidades musicais e da rica instrumentação habituais de Zappa. Com uma base sólida de jazz, a faixa transita por solos de sintetizador e guitarra, e termina em um crescendo de instrumentos de sopro e uma aceleração instrumental que encerra o álbum de forma satisfatória.
Em suma, se você é fã de jazz, especialmente daquele repleto de metais bem colocados, ou de qualquer coisa que Zappa tenha feito, Waka/Jawaka é um disco que merece ser conferido. Talvez não seja uma obra-prima comparável a outros discos do músico, mas tem um lugar substancial em sua vasta discografia. Só não espere encontrar a guitarra incendiária de Hot Rats aqui; a estrada musical neste álbum segue um caminho diferente, porém, ainda atraente.
================================When it comes to Frank Zappa, the vastness of his work and the diversity of his styles make it difficult to know where to begin, especially for those who aren't as eclectic as the musician himself. The task becomes even more challenging if the listener isn't willing to explore all the sonic paths Zappa leads us down.
Waka/Jawaka is part of an apparent trilogy that includes Hot Rats and The Grand Wazoo. This album is a journey through grand orchestrations, jazz improvisations, and those musical oddities that only Zappa could create. Although the compositions seem less focused and the instrumental ideas a bit less inventive compared to the other two albums, Waka/Jawaka still stands out. If you already consider Hot Rats and The Grand Wazoo great works, you'll have no trouble finding pleasure in this record.
One notable aspect here is that the guitar, although present, seems less prominent than in his previous works. Of course, the characteristic solos are there, but it feels as though Zappa was more interested in directing the album's orchestration than in being the protagonist. The sound is a journey, with the musician skillfully exploring every sonic detour from his vast instrumental palette. And instruments, indeed, are not lacking here. As in Hot Rats, Zappa gathered an impressive selection of talented musicians to fill every sonic space on the album. In terms of sound layers, Waka/Jawaka might be one of Zappa's greatest achievements, except, of course, when not considering his works with the London Symphony Orchestra.
The album opens with the magnificent "Big Swifty," a track that can easily rival classics like Herbie Hancock's Mwandishi or Miles Davis' Bitches Brew. Zappa delivers a reliable performance driven by drummer Ainsley Dunbar, known for his work in blues, but here he reveals his full talent. "Big Swifty" is a superb journey through jazz-rock, with horns perfectly integrated into a brilliantly constructed jazz piece, spiced up with Zappa's peculiarities. Although not as exploratory and guitar-driven as Hot Rats, it still provides the listener with a wonderful and flawless experience.
"Your Mouth" follows with a straightforward blues-rock melody, adorned with brass arrangements and female vocals, adding a fun touch, though not as inspired as the rest of the album. "It Just Might Be a One-Shot Deal" echoes the previous track but with a more American, almost country inclination. The highlight is the Hawaiian-influenced guitar solo, which brings a refreshing originality to the album, serving as an excellent interlude.
The album closes with the title track "Waka/Jawaka," which has a different structure from the brilliant opening of "Big Swifty." While it doesn't reach the same level of genius, it is still an excellent track, filled with Zappa's usual musical prowess and rich instrumentation. With a solid jazz foundation, the track transitions through synthesizer and guitar solos, ending in a crescendo of brass instruments and an instrumental acceleration that wraps up the album satisfyingly.
In short, if you're a fan of jazz, especially the kind filled with well-placed horns, or anything Zappa has done, Waka/Jawaka is an album worth checking out. It may not be a masterpiece comparable to other albums by the musician, but it holds a substantial place in his vast discography. Just don't expect to find the fiery guitar of Hot Rats here; the musical road on this album follows a different, yet still enticing, path.
When it comes to Frank Zappa, the vastness of his work and the diversity of his styles make it difficult to know where to begin, especially for those who aren't as eclectic as the musician himself. The task becomes even more challenging if the listener isn't willing to explore all the sonic paths Zappa leads us down.
Waka/Jawaka is part of an apparent trilogy that includes Hot Rats and The Grand Wazoo. This album is a journey through grand orchestrations, jazz improvisations, and those musical oddities that only Zappa could create. Although the compositions seem less focused and the instrumental ideas a bit less inventive compared to the other two albums, Waka/Jawaka still stands out. If you already consider Hot Rats and The Grand Wazoo great works, you'll have no trouble finding pleasure in this record.
One notable aspect here is that the guitar, although present, seems less prominent than in his previous works. Of course, the characteristic solos are there, but it feels as though Zappa was more interested in directing the album's orchestration than in being the protagonist. The sound is a journey, with the musician skillfully exploring every sonic detour from his vast instrumental palette. And instruments, indeed, are not lacking here. As in Hot Rats, Zappa gathered an impressive selection of talented musicians to fill every sonic space on the album. In terms of sound layers, Waka/Jawaka might be one of Zappa's greatest achievements, except, of course, when not considering his works with the London Symphony Orchestra.
The album opens with the magnificent "Big Swifty," a track that can easily rival classics like Herbie Hancock's Mwandishi or Miles Davis' Bitches Brew. Zappa delivers a reliable performance driven by drummer Ainsley Dunbar, known for his work in blues, but here he reveals his full talent. "Big Swifty" is a superb journey through jazz-rock, with horns perfectly integrated into a brilliantly constructed jazz piece, spiced up with Zappa's peculiarities. Although not as exploratory and guitar-driven as Hot Rats, it still provides the listener with a wonderful and flawless experience.
"Your Mouth" follows with a straightforward blues-rock melody, adorned with brass arrangements and female vocals, adding a fun touch, though not as inspired as the rest of the album. "It Just Might Be a One-Shot Deal" echoes the previous track but with a more American, almost country inclination. The highlight is the Hawaiian-influenced guitar solo, which brings a refreshing originality to the album, serving as an excellent interlude.
The album closes with the title track "Waka/Jawaka," which has a different structure from the brilliant opening of "Big Swifty." While it doesn't reach the same level of genius, it is still an excellent track, filled with Zappa's usual musical prowess and rich instrumentation. With a solid jazz foundation, the track transitions through synthesizer and guitar solos, ending in a crescendo of brass instruments and an instrumental acceleration that wraps up the album satisfyingly.
In short, if you're a fan of jazz, especially the kind filled with well-placed horns, or anything Zappa has done, Waka/Jawaka is an album worth checking out. It may not be a masterpiece comparable to other albums by the musician, but it holds a substantial place in his vast discography. Just don't expect to find the fiery guitar of Hot Rats here; the musical road on this album follows a different, yet still enticing, path.
NOTA: 8.5/10
Tracks Listing
1. Big Swifty (17:23)
2. Your Mouth (3:12)
3. It Just Might Be a One-Shot Deal (4:16)
4. Waka / Jawaka (11:18)
Ouça, "Big Swifty"
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