Chunga's Revenge

Album review

Chunga's Revenge is not considered a major Frank Zappa album, but still has a fine collection of tracks, and still impresses thanks to the mastery of its writer and the musicians who accompanied him. It was his third album, released in late 1970. He was also the first to take on board Flo & Eddie, formerly of the Turtles. It also moves away from the political and satirical side of previous recordings made with the Mothers of Invention, and the jazz fusion style of Hot Rats which came out the year prior. Eclecticism being the watchword of Zappa's work, we are treated once again to a mix of genres and styles. After a long guitar jam, Transylvania Boogie, with the abrasive tones that are often found in jazz fusion, we move on to a rather classic blues, Road Ladies, then a touch of muzak, cocktail music with Twenty Small Cigars, before embarking on the main course, The Nancy & Mary Music, followed by shorter, simpler tracks, such as the rocking Tell Me You Love Me, which introduces a guitar melody that was to be found in subsequent years on Bwana Dik and Daddy, Daddy, Daddy (the latter on the album 200 Motels). Freewheeling guitar flights render Chunga's Revenge a rather inspired improvisation which gives its title to the album. In 2001, a version of this latter song cropped up on the first album of the Franco-Argentine group Gotan Project, La Revancha del Tango. In short, Chunga's Revenge still packs some nice surprises and has not lost its relevance since it was first released. © Yan Céh/Qobuz