Jazz from Hell

Untitled

Jazz from Hell is a Grammy Award winning instrumental album from Frank Zappa. It was released in 1986 by Barking Pumpkin Records (vinyl) and by Rykodisc (CD). All compositions were executed by Frank Zappa on the Synclavier DMS with the exception of "St. Etienne" which was performed in Saint-Étienne France by Zappa's touring band on the 1984 tour.

"While You Were Art II" is a Synclavier performance based on a transcription of Zappa's improvised guitar solo on the track "While You Were Out" from the Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar album. The unreleased original Synclavier performance was done using only the unit's FM synthesis, while the recording found here was Zappa's "deluxe" arrangement featuring newer samples and timbres.

In the initial Europe CD release, the album was featured as the second album on a "two for the price of one compilation," with nine tracks from Frank Zappa Meets the Mothers of Prevention on the same disc.

Zappa won a 1988 Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance for this album.

"Night School" was possibly named for a late-night show that Zappa pitched to ABC; the network did not pick it up. A music video was made for the song.

"G-Spot Tornado," assumed by Zappa to be impossible to play by humans, would be performed by Ensemble Modern on the concert recording The Yellow Shark. The track ends in nearly two minutes of applause.

Although an instrumental album, the Fred Meyer chain of stores sold Jazz from Hell in their Music Market department featuring an RIAA Parental Advisory sticker.

Track listing

All compositions written and arranged by Frank Zappa.

Side one

1. "Night School" – 4:47
2. "The Beltway Bandits" – 3:25
3. "While You Were Art II" – 7:17
4. "Jazz from Hell" – 2:58

Side two

1. "G-Spot Tornado" – 3:17
2. "Damp Ankles" – 3:45
3. "St. Etienne" – 6:26
4. "Massaggio Galore" – 2:31

Personnel

• Frank Zappa – Lead Guitar, Synclavier, Keyboards
• Steve Vai – Rhythm Guitar
• Ray White – Rhythm Guitar
• Tommy Mars – Keyboards
• Bobby Martin – Keyboards, Saxophone
• Ed Mann – Percussion
• Scott Thunes – Bass, Keyboards
• Chad Wackerman – Drums

Production

• Frank Zappa - Producer
• Bob Stone – Engineer
• Bob Rice – Computer Assistant
• Greg Gorman – Cover Photo