Waka/Jawaka

"Big Swifty" is a jazz-fusion tune, similar to many of Zappa's pieces from the jazz period of his compositional timeline. It features many horns to achieve a thick brassy sound as well as room for improvisation and use of multiple time signatures. The tune initially alternates between ⁷
₈ and ³
₄ time signatures, soon settling on a ⁴
₄ swing feel for several extended solos. Known recorded live versions expanded rhythmic diversification to ¹¹
₈ and rubato parts (e.g. live in Texas, 1973).[8]

The track "It Just Might Be a One-Shot Deal" is a strange tale of hallucinations sung by Sal Marquez and Janet Ferguson (the "tough-minded" groupie in 200 Motels). Sneaky Pete Kleinow's pedal steel guitar sets up a dream-like, smooth quality, but with the words "but you should be diggin' it while it's happening cause it just might be a one-shot deal", though played in real time rather than achieved with a splice, it again sounds as if the music has started to run backwards.[9]

Initial reviews for the album were mixed. Rolling Stone's Rob Houghton compared it to "second-rate Miles Davis," but concluded that Waka/Jawaka was "one of Zappa’s most enjoyable, less hypertense efforts."[10] Village Voice critic Robert Christgau was less charitable: "With Sal Marquez playing 'many trumpets' all over 'Big Swifty,' there are times you could drop the needle and think you were listening to recent Miles Davis. That's certainly what Zappa's been doing. But where Davis is occasionally too loose, Zappa's always too tight—he seems to perceive only what is weird and alienating in his influences, never what is humane. Also, Sal Marquez doesn't play trumpet(s) as good as Miles."[4] However, the album's reputation has improved over time. In UDiscoverMusic in 2022, Jamie Atkins wrote, "Waka/Jawaka stands up on its own as one of Zappa’s most vibrant and enjoyable explorations of jazz-rock."[11]

It was reissued in a digitally remastered version on CD by Rykodisc in 1986 (with much digital reverb added and missing the back cover artwork) and in 1995 (restoring the rear cover, but with identical sound). In 2012, Universal Music released a CD containing a remastered version of the original vinyl mix. On December 16th, 2022, Universal Music released Dolby Atmos & Dolby TrueHD mix of this album along with The Grand Wazoo as part of a 4CD+1Blu-Ray set named Waka/Wazoo, to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the albums. The album was also released in black & colored vinyl to celebrate the 50th Anniversary.[12]

All songs written, composed and arranged by Frank Zappa.

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