Zzaj Productions Music Catalog

Zzaj%20Productions

 

What you’ll see in this catalog are releases that I’ve played on… that doesn’t (in any way, shape or form) imply that I “created” them, because except for a few of them, I was joined together with folks way more talented than I, and it was (just) pleasure for me to be able to join them in improvising music together. Without further ado, then, here are Zzaj Productions releases you can listen to streams of, then order by hitting the PAY NOW button – also, note that you can choose (right on the button) if you want a digital download (only $2.00) or a hard-copy CD (only $7.00)… get it the way YOU want it!

 

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ZP-1 – BLUER THAN BLUE: Ernesto Diaz-Infante is one of the most interesting improvisors (alive) in the world today. Rotcod Zzaj met him (via the net) in 1996 or so… After exchanging various CD’s and tapes, it was clear that they “spoke” the same musical language… this CD is the first in a series of about 16 that they have performed on together. Please listen to the streams,

If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below…  even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed

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ZP-2 – nEW dIRECTIONS: This band was formed in the earliest years of the “home taper underground”; all songs were recorded at least 13000 miles apart from each other, which made the results even more amazing.It features Jeff Olson, Dick Metcalf and Stacey Gravatt, as well as a “guest shot” (on drums) by my long-time playing partner Harlan Mark Vale (a fantastic player in his own right). Please listen to the streams, then click the BUY button below to purchase this rollicking rock/jazz CD.If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed ———————————————————————————————ZP-3 – INDEPENDENT’S DAY: This trio may pose a bit of a challenge for folks who aren’t used to “experimental” music. On the other hand, those who love freeform anything will love this band. Several of the songs on the streams are too large for the limit, so the only way you can hear the entire track is to purchase the CD… but you’ll get the idea from the streams! Members of “The Imaginary Band” are Peter Tomshany, guitar; Mark Vale, keyboards and percussion; Dick Metcalf, keyboards. I hope you’ll listen to the streams,If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed

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The Imaginary Band – LIVE on Sonarchy Radio

ZP-4 – LIVE ON SONARCHY: The Imaginary Band features Kramtones on drums and keyboards/vocals, Zzaj on synth/vox & Peter Thomshany on guitars, Moog & vocals. This CD was from a live show on Sonarchy Radio in Seattle… the widget for this one only contains 2 of the songs we played, and those are considerably “shortened” versions, because most of the songs we played during the radio show set all approached 10 minutes. This band was one of the most fun groups I’ve every played in/with, and I’ve no doubt that if you love improvised music with an edge – you’ll WANT this one. Please listen to the streams in the widget,

If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed

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 ZP-5 – NECESSARY ILLUSIONS: Belinda Subraman had just released a (rather long) chapbook & sent it in to my ‘zine (IMPROVIJAZZATION NATION) for review. She sent a cassette of her reading(s) along with the package, & as soon as I (Rotcod Zzaj, aka Dick Metcalf) heard her voice, I knew it was important for us to collaborate. This grouping is the result of that collaboration. One of the reasons this one was so important to me is that I believe it is very important for folks to realize just how important spoken-word is to the musical world… I’m not talking about lounge-lizard crooners who ramble on&on, either… I mean the actual poets, like Belinda, who are able to sum up an experience in a matter of only a few words. At any rate, this was one FUN CD to do, and we certainly hope that you’ll listen to the streams,IIf you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed
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ZP-6 – EMOTIONAL CIRCUS: Mark Vale and I had already been playing together since (about) 1979 when the music for this CD was realized (around 1990 or 1991). The first 11 tracks were Mark’s compositions, with me either vocalizing or playing my Kurzweill PC 88 in support of his marvelous synthesizer and percussion work. The other 6 tracks feature me doing spoken-word on top of tunes I composed while improvising. All in all a totally FUN thing… Mark and I were particularly proud of the opening track, “Loop Thing”, which featured my spontaneous vocal; totally off the cuff, I had no words written down (though I had listened to the tune once before singing. We hope you’ll listen to the streams,If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed
——————————————————————————————————————————-ZP-7 – CRITICAL MASS: Mark Kissinger and I first hooked up (way back) in the ’80′s (it’s been so long I don’t remember how far into the decade it was when we first played together – on this CD, in fact). What I certainly DO remember is how excited I was the first time we traded music (that was all TAPE back in those days, no digital media, no CD’s, even). I “composed” these tracks on-the-fly, then sent them off for Mark to overdub, with (only) a note indicating to him that I’d like it to come out as “psychedelic” as possible. You won’t believe your ears when you listen to this – it is about as trippy as it gets – & there were NO SUBSTANCES involved (besides some heavy-duty espresso, mayhaps). You’re certainly invited to listen to the streams(free),If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed
——————————————————————————————-  ZP-8 – Voyage To Internity: This remote musical jam creation session was done courtesy of the U.S.P.S. in the early 1990′s, while I lived in Korea the first time. I shot out some recordings to Harlan Mark Vale and asked him to “get as strange as he could” with it (no problem for him to do THAT, btw… ha! ha!) Even my already-jaded ears were pleasantly surprised by the clarity with which he had grasped my intentions with these 23 tunes, though… we can guarantee you haven’t heard music like this anywhere else on the planet (or in the galaxy, for that matter). Stroll through the streams,If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed
——————————————————————————- ZP-9 – HURTLE BLUE: HURTLE BLUE is a project betwixt Rotcod Zzaj & John Sosnowski (with guest appearances by Harlan Mark Vale and John Alkins). It received rave reviews in ‘zines like AUTOREVERSE. The music approaches the universe from a “different” angle, but it is still an all-consuming and powerful musical experience. John, Mike and I were especially pleased with the dreamscape qualities of some of the longer pieces… as with most improvised music, we didn’t set out to come up with any particular mood or setting – it just happened this way. The group that John and Mike were in at that time was called “Broca’s Area”, so you may want to look them (and their own works) up on Google, too. At any rate, we hope that after you’ve listened through the free streams,
If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed
—————————————————————————————————————————– ZP-10 – THE SCARAB POLEMIC: Zzaj first met Joe Hardin in another incarnation, in Huntspatch, Alabummer – long before Zzaj became the “Rotcod” & Joe a (genuine) Doktor (in fact, in those days, Zzaj went by the moniker of “Cp’n Cappuccino”, a story far too long to tell here). Only after several years of late-nite (generally drunken) calls did Joe (finally) yield to the temptation of putting this satire together. We thought, as did most of the reviewers, the music did a pretty good job of jabbing and poking at traditions long waiting to be shredded apart and put back together in a fashion worthy of being compared to the great doctor F-Stein. Whatever your “political inclinations”, after you’re finished listening to these seventeen perverted musical experiences, you’ll never be (or want to be) “PC” again. This is music purely for the FUN of it, and as I often say in my “Rotcod” personality – “if it ain’t FUN – it ain’t MUSIC”. Wade through the stream-plays with us, If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed
——————————————————————————————————————– ZP-11 – FLAG SLEEPING: Inventive duos with continuous interaction of Rotcod’s improvised Jazz style keyboards and sublime poetry from John M. Bennett, poet extraordinaire from Columbus, Ohio. Extemporized readings with Shakuhachi. Side B’s title, “Wordweave” is an apt description. Recommended for poetry lovers. I first met John during a trip to my sister’s home in Columbus, Ohio – way back in the early 1990′s – and we put out a whole LOT of material during the rest of that decade (& a bit in the early 21st century as well). This particular CD combines some of John’s original poetry with pieces I had done earlier with Harlan Mark Vale… the only thing that can be said about this type of music is that is is NOT what you would hear on your local AM radio station (or FM, for that matter, unless it was on the graveyard shift). Please feel free to listen to the streams.  Hope you truly enjoy our iconoclastic bent If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed
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Strange Attractors by Harlan Mark Vale and Dick Metcalf (aka Rotcod Zzaj)

 ZP-12 – STRANGE ATTRACTORS: This band is (obviously) laying claim to “strange”… but at the same time, proclaiming an attraction. As a listener, you’ll hear why when you listen to Kramtones & Zzaj on this CD. This duo has been playing music away from the norm ever since the late 1970′s. In fact, they revel in the creative process, for after all, that’s what life is really supposed to be about in the first place – CREATION! They first met in the energy-filled caverns of the Olympia, Washington coffee-house scene, in a particular place called the “Gnu Deli”. When Zzaj first started working with Mark, he was only doing poetry readings, but it wasn’t long before he moved on to performing in-studio and live with Mark. We think you’ll enjoy the unique and fresh sounds you hear in these streams,

If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed

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ZP-13 – The Slight Reincarnations: Dan Susnara (synthesiser artiste) joined Rotcod Zzaj (aka Dick Metcalf, on Kurzweill PC 88) on this timeless adventure into the outer limits of rock! The songs are (for the most part) Dan’s compositions, with add-ons by Zzaj at his “In The Shadow” studios in Olympia, Washington. The music that resulted was acclaimed by reviewers all over the underground as forward-looking, challenging and exciting, as Phil Riley indicated when he wrote the following as part of his review:
“What makes it intriguing (to me, at least) is its use of a wider array of sounds than the other Zzaj I’ve heard; there’s some neat percussion in the background, strange muffled vocals, and a more acoustic sound than much of Zzaj’s work.” Hope you’ll enjoy the streams below If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed
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ZP-14 – Triple Dose: TRIPLE DOSE was one of the earliest collaborations between San Francisco multi-instrumentalist/poet Ernesto Diaz-Infante and “odd-ist” Rotcod Zzaj (aka Dick Metcalf). It got rave reviews from SPLENDID E-zine, & started a long trek of collabs between these two. We hope you enjoy the free streams  If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed
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ZP-15 – DETROIT IMPROV DUO (INTUITIVE TESSERACT):
D.I.D. is the second album by Jim Konen (guitars) and Dick Metcalf (aka Rotcod Zzaj, who played Kurzweill PC 88 on this CD).Konen is famous in his local zone (Detroit/Motown) for some masterful techno guitar playing that he performs as “VisionEar”.Metcalf has been recording and performing around the country (& the world) since about 1975. We hope you enjoy the free streams   If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed
—————————————————————————————————-ZP-16 – Wrought Iron Muffin Ranch: This was the very FIRST collaboration with John Sosnowski & Mike Delaney (who are elsewise known as “Broca’s Area”). Some really upbeat pieces on here, with strong flavorings of thee Rotcod’s widely recognized “organ”isms! Anyone who is a fan of independent music will want this for it’s historical value!!! We hope you enjoy the free streams If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed
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ZP-17 As – Good As Gnu’s: This trio may pose a bit of a challenge for folks who aren’t used to “experimental” music. On the other hand, those who love freeform anything will love this band. Several of the songs on the streams are too large for the limit, so the only way you can hear the entire track is to purchase the digital CD… but you’ll get the idea from the streams! We think you’ll enjoy the unique and fresh sounds you hear in these streams,  If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed
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ZP-18 – Dot Calm: Ken Fletcher and Rotcod Zzaj met via the netz’ in the late ’90′s, so it only seemed appropriate to tie the titles (somehow) to the web. After you’ve checked through the streams,   If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed
——————————————————————————————————————————ZP-23 - Snake Oil Lounging: This is a CD full of very pleasant music composed by Senor Sammie Splarch; he’s joined by his brother, George Splarch on some very pretty pieces. We’ve no doubt that once you’ve listened to these gents, you’ll be craving more of their work. If you purchase the CD, you get 3 additional/extended tracks! Please listen to the streams,If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed
——————————————————————————————————————————ZP-24 - Riding The Lizard: This fantastic CD is from the original tape collaboration by Eric Hausmann and Rotcod Zzaj. It features Eric’s magical guitars against original compositions from both artists. This musical adventure received many rave reviews in the “underground press” in the 1990′s, and features all improvised compositions. We hope you enjoy the streams,If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed
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ZP-25 – She May One Day Winnebago: This was the first poetry collaboration I did with Joan Payne Kincaid. It features her fantastic spoken-word and poetry, with “synth paintings” underneath (by Zzaj, of course). If you enjoy the natural marraige between poetry and music, this is the ticket! At any rate, this was one FUN CD to do, and we certainly hope that you’ll listen to the streamsIf you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed
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ZP-26 – Sdrawkcab Zzaj: World-renowned improvising guitarist Davey Williams, with sax wizard Wally Shoup and violin/viola/horn player LaDonna Smith… are joined by Dick Metcalf (keyboards and poetry) and drummer John Thompson. This is one WILD band! Please listen to the streams, If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed
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ZP-27 – Exquisitely Painful: Our guitar-playin’ pal Mr. Painful joined us (seems like years ago, it was really only ’96) on some skull-rippin’ sessions here at my “In The Shadow Studios” (of Mount Rainier, of course). The results are as powerful as th’ big quake comin’ that’ll dump us all into thee Pacific! Some H-O-T music on here, sure to thrill all those who luv git-arz’ that jus’ won’t QUIT!!! Check out the streams,If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed
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ZP-28 – Veduta Reiter: Veduta was the 3rd group comprised of San-Francisco multi-instrumentalist Ernesto Diaz-Infante and perpetrator & instigator Rotcod Zzaj (aka Dick Metcalf). It was a TRULY experimental production, yet had some very memorable improvised compositions!Please listen to the streams, If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed
—————————————————————————————————————————-ZP-31 - Imagined Existence: Ernesto Diaz-Infante is a multi-instrumentalist from San Francisco who created some long-distance spontaneous mayhem with Dick Metcalf (aka Rotcod Zzaj). This avant-garde CD, titled “IMAGINED EXISTENCE”, is the result. If you like improvised and (very) experimental music, go ahead and enjoy the free streams,  If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed
—————————————————————————————————————————-ZP-32 - The Moment As The Motive: There were many hints of the mystery involved in the creation (of this music) during the mixdowns… far more than high-class experiments, this music will intrigue you! Ernesto Diaz-Infante on prepared guitars/vocals and Dick Metcalf (aka Rotcod Zzaj) on Kurzweill PC 88. We hope you enjoy it enough so that after you’ve listened to the free streams If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed
—————————————————————————————————————————-ZP-33 - Free Spirit Suites: Pennsylvania-based rock/freeform guitarist extraordinaire Mark Kissinger first joined Rotcod Zzaj in the late 1980′s. They produced several very interesting tapes during the 1990′s; what you will hear on this outing is the “best of”, in digital form. Please listen to the streams,If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed
———————————————————————————————————————————————-ZP-34 - Sirius Intrigues: Another absorbing excursion with improvisational composers Ernesto Diaz- Infante (guitars) and Rotcod Zzaj (keyboards). You will find yourself on a journey to the far reaches of your (collective) mind. Relaxing, yet quite intense! We hope you enjoy it enough so that after you’ve listened to the free streams If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed
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ZP-35 – Fantasy In Disguise: Spontaneous poetry by Thom, improvised keyboards by Zzaj. Some REALLY kewl material for the 21st century. Thom was the EMCEE for the band Gong for many years, & Zzaj has been doing keyboards behind poetry for ages! We hope you enjoy it enough so that after you’ve listened to the free streams  If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed
———————————————————————————————————–ZP-36 - Speeches For The Schizoid: Ernesto Diaz-Infante provides colorful improvised backgrounds for Zzaj to indulge his musical fantasies on. One of the most adventurous excursions this duo has been on yet, with art (most graciously) furnished by Peter Sharpe. If you like improvised and (very) experimental music, go ahead and enjoy the free streams,  If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed
————————————————————————————————-ZP-37 - Elements Of Suspense: PA-based guitarist Mark Kissinger laid down the initial (prepared) guitar tracks for this… after I listened to his mixes, decided I wanted to bring in Ernesto Diaz-Infante… I did my keyboards after getting Ernesto’s mixdown. This is one of the most exciting projects I’ve ever been involved in! We hope you enjoy it enough so that after you’ve listened to the free streams If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed
————————————————————————————————-ZP-38 - Resurrection – Reservations Only:

The Mad Metcalf Ensemble was formed as an “offshoot” of the “Trillium” grouping that included Mark Vale, John Alkins, Dick Metcalf & Bob Cerelli.This group did some HIGH-end art performances, & a few of these tunes, from the CD “Resurrection – Reservations Only” are captured here for you to listen to! If you like improvised and (very) experimental music, go ahead and enjoy the free streams,  If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed

————————————————————————————————-ZP-39 - Sonic Nuggets: Jim Konen (guitars) and Dick Metcalf (aka Rotcod Zzaj, who played Kurzweill PC 88 on this CD). Konen is famous in his local zone (Detroit/Motown) for some masterful techno guitar playing that he performs as “VisionEar”. Metcalf has been recording and performing around the country (& the world) since about 1975. This CD was one of the most fun recording/playing experiences these 2 guys have ever been involved with! If you like improvised and (very) experimental music, go ahead and enjoy the free streams, If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed
————————————————————————————————-ZP-42 - Entomological Etudes: This band was formed out of a need (by improvisors Matt Turner, Ernesto Diaz-Infante & Rotcod Zzaj) to explore the insectuous world of the “bugged”! Why this name? We found it buried deeply in the “Orkin Man’s” truck, I think… Do you play live? Not usually. How, do you think, does the internet (or mp3) change the music industry? Tremendously, though we haven’t gotten our “record deal” yet. Would you sign a record contract with a major label? You BET-chum! If you like improvised and (very) experimental music, go ahead and enjoy the free streams, If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed
————————————————————————————————-ZP-43 - The Coast Of Ghristmas: Eric Hausmann (who worked in/on the original Factsheet Five with Gunderloy) hooked up with Rotcod Zzaj while Zzaj was over in Korea (15 years). They put together some very original & stimulating music. “Coast Of Ghristmas” is one of the better ones, ergo th’ CD. Please listen to the streams, If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed
————————————————————————————————-ZP-44 - The Future Has Already Been Done: 99 Hooker, Ernesto Diaz-Infante & Rotcod Zzaj are a trio that play some of the CRAZIEST “on-the-fly” improvised music you will EVER hear! Hooker is a visual poet based out of NYC and California, Ernesto is a multi-instrumentalist improvisor in the SF Bay area & Zzaj is a world rover currently living in Korea. If you like improvised and (very) experimental music, go ahead and enjoy the free streams, If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed
————————————————————————————————-ZP-46 - Peyote Beat Reunion: A more recent pairing of Northwest experimentalists Rotcod Zzaj (aka Dick Metcalf, or Mr. Dick), & Harlan Mark Vale (aka Kramtones). A thoroughly relaxed set, with lots of nuances. These 2 cats have been playing together since the late 1970′s, and have turned out a LOT of very interesting improvised music! If you like improvised and (very) experimental music, go ahead and enjoy the free streams, If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed
————————————————————————————————- ZP-47 – At Sunset: This trio (John Alkins, Harlan Mark Vale and Dick Metcalf) has been playing experimental music since the early 1980′s.

On this outing, they were (about) 50 yards away from the edge of the Puget Sound, listening to (and watching) the waves roll in on a beautiful sunset evening. This music will soothe and excite you (at the same time). Please listen to the streams,  If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed

————————————————————————————————-ZP-48 - Band Of Chip Thieves: “The Yakkers” were an offshoot of an earlier Zzaj Productions group, “The Imaginary Band”. T.I.B. was joined by John Alkins on percussion/keyboards, making the dynamic much different, ergo a new band. If you like improvised and (very) experimental music, go ahead and enjoy the free streams,If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed

————————————————————————————————-ZP-49 - Cross Country:

Michigan, Washington & Pennsylvania is “where” this trio hails from. 2 guitarists (Jim Konen in Pontiac & Mark Kissinger in Sharon) & one itinerant keyboardist & poet… (Rotcod Zzaj in OlyWa).We did this (as happens with so many of our projects) through the mails. Good reviews from Aural Innovations reviewer Jerry Kranitz & others along the way…. Please listen to the streams,If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed

————————————————————————————————-ZP-50 - Accessory After The Traction: 99 Hooker is a poet from NYC, Ernesto Diaz-Infante a multi-instrumentalist from San Francisco bay area, and Rotcod Zzaj (aka Dick Metcalf) an “odd-ist” from Olympia, Washington. We play some of the most “out” poetry/improv combinations you’ve ever heard!, WARNING – some tunes have VERY EXPLICIT lyrics!!! Hope you enjoy the streams,If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed

————————————————————————————————-ZP-51 - Into The Out: “Stages Of Alternate Reality”, or S.O.A.R., is one of the wildest jam-bands you have ever heard. Formed on a whim by the waters of the Puget Sound, they invaded the night with sounds never before heard after the first return of Rotcod Zzaj from Morning Calm. One kra-zee ride to oblivion, without doubt! If you survive your listen to the 8 free streams,If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed

————————————————————————————————-ZP-52 - Into The Out: “Stages Of Alternate Reality”, or S.O.A.R., continued their wild jam sessions late into the Puget Sound night on this second session. Neighbors were disturbed at great length, but we had an absolute blast twisting sounds ’round until they could not (possibly) be bent in any other directions. Everyone was “together”, and by the early morning hours, there was no question that we were able to fly like the birds scattered all around the edge of the magnificent Puget Sound that we were playing to/for. If you listen to the streams, If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed

————————————————————————————————-ZP-55 - Each Speech:

John M Bennett has been writing, reading and performing poetry for so many years now that even HE can’t remember how/where/how long it’s been.Rotcod Zzaj, aka Dick Metcalf, joined John in massive poetry/music projects due to some odd/interesting collaborations he heard betwixt one “DimThingShine” and Bennett.”Each Speech” is one of the most interesting collaborations between Bennett and Zzaj. Listen to the free streams,If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed

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ZP-56 – Dangerous Revisions: This was an “instant” group, formed by Harlan Mark Vale (aka Kramtones) & Dick Metcalf (aka Rotcod Zzaj in the early-’90′s.

We did this one between Korea & OlyWa in (only) a matter of weeks. Mark and I had been playing together since the late 1970′s, and since I was so big into the “digital underground” (at that time known as the “Hometaper network”), we knew we had to put some more music together. Listen to the stream,If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed

————————————————————————————————-ZP-57 - Midget Hill Mastery Tour:

Listeners familiar with the great underground *stars* of the ’80′s and ’90′s will know Russ Stedman’s name right away… he is one RAWK-in guitar player, with a ton of his own releases! The name Zzaj may not be (nearly) as familiar, but he’s been in/on the scene for just about th’ same amount of time. This collaboration represents some very interesting stylistic mixes, for sure; it should have WIDE appeal. We hope you enJOY the streamIf you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed

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ZP-60 – eSPRESSO wACKO: Right after I moved back to Olympia, Washington from Korea the first time (around 1995), I started recording a lot of solo keyboard works… experimented with a sampler and my espresso machine one night and that’s where these 12 tunes came from. Some a little “odd”, but all with high playing energy! Hope you enjoy the streams- If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed

————————————————————————————————-ZP-61 - In The Lifeboat:

Harlan Mark Vale has played synthesizers & drums for (at least) the past 20 years or so in the Great Northwest. Remus Glaude prime instrument is trumpet, though he plays plenty of keyboards, too. Dick Metcalf (aka Rotcod Zzaj) has been playing wild & kra-zee keyboards for about 25 years now. This recording was from a live show at “The Lifeboat” restaurant in Olympia, Washington. We sincerely hope you enjoy the streams& thatIf you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed

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ZP-63 – Rogue Sea Merchants: I was on a cruise through Olympia on my way back to Korea after a whirlwind tour of the U.S. while on a two-week vacation with my wife. We set things up so my old playing pals Harlan Mark Vale, John Alkins & a whole host of others from the local Olympia scene would be available for jammin’ down & out. This is one of the gutsiest jazz jam sessions you’ll ever hear. Much fun for all (including you, the listener, of course)! Hope you’ll listen to the streams, If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed

————————————————————————————————-ZP-65 - Infinite Jubilation: Eric Wallack is a music professor in Ohio who played guitar and Chapman stick on these keyboard/synth compositions by Dick Metcalf. This music was all done through the mails. Eric is a master at his instruments, and plays a blend of psychedelic & straight-ahead rock that is very attractive in oh so many ways. We hope you thoroughly explore the streams, If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed

ZP-66 - Whistlepoot Junction: HOT onna’ heels of our last CD together, “nEW dIRECTIONS”, comes straight-ahead instrumental, improv, poetry, all mixed into one VOLCANICALLY pleasurable listening experience! I’ve NEVER enjoyed playing instrumental pieces as much as with Jeff Olson (of the Screamin’ Popeyes), & this CD (literally) SHINES, volkz! I encourage you to listen to the free streams, If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed

————————————————————————————————-ZP-67 - Undelivered Pizza Jam: Most of the music here came from a visit I made to Eric Hausmann’s abode (then in Florida)… we jammed all afternoon and got some excellent music from the session, now released on our “Undelivered Pizza Jam” CD. I also invited poet John M. Bennett (Columbus, Ohio) to join us on a couple of the tunes, & that turned out to work really well, with great reviews of the CD coming from all kinds of ‘zines, in great part because of John’s additions! Listen through the streams,  If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed

————————————————————————————————-ZP-68 - The Old Neighborhood: I asked Eric Wallack if he would like to join me in a collab with Ernesto Diaz-Infante… it took a few weeks, but when the final tape was assembled, we knew we had a WINNER! We hope you’ll think so too! Probably the most amazing part of this recording is the field-site taping that Ernesto did over top of my original keyboard works – then Eric added his magic on top of that & it all came together as one of the most interesting (we think) improvised collaborations you’ll ever listen to. Check out the streams,  If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed

————————————————————————————————ZP-69 Stuff Em & Keep The Party Going: My improvising pal Bret Hart was working & playing up in the great Nor’East when I hooked back up with him (& a whole host of his krew) on this rock cum jazz adventure… I laid down several base tracks, sent ‘em his way & the magick came right back out of the tape recorder. You can hear full STREAMS of the 12 tunes we did; If you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed

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ZP-70 – Skinless He: This was one of the best poetry collaborations between Rotcod Zzaj & (Columbus, Ohio) poet John M. Bennett. It was recorded (originally) to 4-track in the early 1990′s.
I encourage you to listen to the free streams IIf you’d like to make a donation for the tunes, please just hit the button below… even the smallest donation is welcomed! & THANKS to the many who have already contributed
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