Originally released in 1970, ‘Hot Rats’ is now digitally remastered / remixed from the original masters with added material from the original sessions.

“Pure brilliance! Frank steers rock into (mostly) instrumental jazz mode with multiple gratifying results. Guests include Captain Beefheart, Sugar Cane Harris & Jean Luc Ponty. Essential!”
GEOFF

This is probably the first FZ album that Most-Folks-Who-Don't-Even-Like-Frank Zappa ever bought, and the one that began to establish him as a virtuoso musician and composer. Mostly instrumental with Captain Beefheart providing off-color commentary on Willie The Pimp's “twenny dollah bill.”

After dropping a few hints on UNCLE MEAT, this was where FZ began to pursue jazz/rock composition in earnest; and “Peaches En Regalia” remains a strong contender for the catchiest tune in his whole catalogue. Backed by the impressive likes of Sugarcane Harris and Jean-Luc Ponty, he delivers the first full-scale demonstrations of his guitar prowess. Of special interest: “The Gumbo Variations” originally had to be edited to fit on a vinyl record; and is now restored to its 17-minute entirety.