Zappa (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Deluxe) (2021)

The posthumous fame of American rock musician and composer Frank Zappa seems to be only increasing after his death in 1993. More than ever, he is seen as an influential figure who combined composed music, rock, and satire. That he still felt misunderstood towards the end of his life is evident in Alex Winter's unparalleled documentary film Zappa (2020). Using extensive archival footage, Winter reconstructs Zappa's life. This accompanying soundtrack is also indispensable, a "best of" spread across two and a half CDs and featuring many unique recordings, particularly from the early days of Zappa and his band The Mothers of Invention. Acts he produced and released, such as Alice Cooper and The GTOs, are also featured. It's a shame that the film's music, written by John Frizzell and comprising half of the third CD, is overshadowed by this, feeling rather bland and basic. But this is just one segment in a rich collection of Zappa's music. (MK, Muziekbank)