Ensemble Ambrosius, The Zappa Album

Superb interpretations of Zappa classics on period instruments, but without a fusty approach. Sofa and Inca Roads translate particularly well but there is panache and articulate execution of the technically challenging pieces throughout. An almost entirely instrumental album, save Idiot Bastard Son which gets an appropriate vocal, the selection of material sometimes yearns for more vocalisation given the humorous content of the originals. The Boulez orchestrations on The Perfect Stranger avoided this minor flaw. However, the ensemble do manage to instil a lot of comedy via their playing and their quirky tribute is well worth a listen ...