Frank Zappa’s music is set to reach a slew of new fans, as the late, great composer’s family trust — led by his widow, Gail Zappa — just inked a distribution deal with Universal after regaining the rights to his catalog from Rykodisc. Specifically, physical and digital reissues of the entire oeuvre are on the way, beginning with LPs backed by the Mothers of Invention due this summer. The deal’s digital distribution is of particular note given the currently scant selection of Zappa’s recordings from popular MP3 vendors online, such as iTunes and Amazon. Gail Zappa commented on the development:
They made us the offer we couldn’t refuse — for all the right reasons. It is a win-win for all of us, but mostly for Frank Zappa. Long may his baton wave. We are so ready to go.
The following reissues commence on July 31st, with around 60 collections in total to be subsequently rolled out:
Freak Out! ’66
Absolutely Free ’67
Lumpy Gravy ’68
We’re Only In It For The Money ’68
Cruising With Ruben & The Jets ’68
Uncle Meat ’69
Hot Rats ’69
Burnt Weeny Sandwich ’70
Weasels Ripped My Flesh ‘70
Chunga’s Revenge ’70
Fillmore East, June 1971 ’71
Just Another Band From L.A. ’72