The FZ Primers, Part Six: The Five Essential FZ Albums You Must Own

***This is the FINAL part [for now at least... I feel a few more installments coming later on in the year] of my FZ Primers that have exhausted just about every brain cell I possess. For Part I, look here. For Part II, look here. For Part III, look here. For Part IV, look here. For Part V, look here.***

Alright folks, it's Part 6 time. Today, a look through the catalog from a rookie's perspective, as I try to identify the 5 essential FZ recordings that you absolutely must own. I expect a lot of flak along the way with these choices, but hey, it's our differences of opinion that make the world go round, and I look forward to debating and defending my picks at every junction.

So how did I pick these? I tried to look at FZ from a different angle, looking at the 5 albums that represent him, and his many different moods, in the broadest possible sense. There's some pop in here, there's some more adventurous jazz-funk fusion, there's a sprinkle of humor, there's more of his cutting satire, and well, there's some fantastic music.

Taken as a lump sum, FZ is certainly an acquired taste, but there are more manageable bites for everyone.

Hopefully this list goes some way to illustrate that.

So please, pick it apart. Loudly and harshly criticize my lack of choices from after 1979, take me to task for the jazz bias to the list, I don't mind. Talking about FZ is something I could do all day, every day. Also, I tried to keep this to official releases only, and from that still-enormous group, official albums [so excluding FZ compilations like the You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore series, as good as it was] arranged and laid out by FZ with a clear vision in mind.

Without further ado, here I go... *deep breath*

5.
We're Only In It for the Money
Original Release Date: March 4, 1968
MGM-Blue Verve Records
[Buy It]

After two solid albums released previous to this in 1968, FZ finally nails down the satire and lyrical sharpness that got his message across louder and clearer than ever before. The music is rough and coarse around the edges, with several examples of tape recording trickery and overdubs a-plenty, but it serves as the perfect vehicle for his snarky, deceptive delivery of his views on the overbearing "moral majority" and the cult-like behaviors of hippies and self-proclaimed flower children across the country.

CHOICE TRACK -- Who Needs the Peace Corps?

4.
Sleep Dirt
Original Release Date: January 12, 1979
DiscReet Records
[Buy It]

This is probably my favourite FZ album if I had to choose [what can I say, jazz-funk is one of the FmGT's founding pillars], but it is also perhaps the best example of his intricate fusion identity, pairing detailed, pleasure-inducing music with flawless musicianship. Sure, it's a little harder to digest with this LP, but the payoff is infinite.

Powerful, magical music.

CHOICE TRACK -- The Ocean is the Ultimate Solution

3.
Apostrophe'
Original Release Date: March 22, 1974
Warner DiscReet Records
[Buy It]

This pick might get the most disagreement, but I think it deserves a spot. Sure, it's a great deal cruder and juvenile than some of his Mothers or jazz-fusion work, but those qualities are a firm portion of his catalog.

It's also an extremely divisive album; people either love or hate it for many of the same reasons. There is tons of catchy composing, and several of FZ's trademark tempo changes and breaks. The band is superb [including guests like Jack Bruce on bass] and the lyrics are puerile, sure, but it is still a good introduction to his lighter side.

Expect songs about pissing in the snow, poo, fungus and dog biscuits. But, expect funky, groovy musical ideas at the same time. Take it or leave it, it's still part of FZ's personality, whether you like it or not.

CHOICE TRACK -- Father O'Blivion

2.
Hot Rats
Original Release Date: October 15, 1969
Warner Bizarre/Reprise
[Buy It]

FZ's first foray into jazz-fusion, putting aside his experiments and satirical rock with the Mothers. Jean-Luc Ponty [violinist to just about any prog-rock/fusion act in the 70s and 80s, including the Mahavishnu Orchestra] plays a sizable role here, and FZ's music is absolutely glorious, easy to appreciate and difficult to resist.

Of the 6 tracks that make up the LP, there is rarely a duff note in the bunch. Album opener "Peaches en Regalia" is a knockout, "Son of Mr. Green Genes" takes a song from the Uncle Meat sessions and expands it into a sweet extended jazz jam, and "The Gumbo Variations" is 17 minutes of eclectic jamming and the first few flashes of FZ on guitar, acting as a tantalizing preview of the music he had still yet to create.

Within its genre, it's an extremely important album, and is almost certainly one of the best jazz-fusion albums around.

A gentle introduction to FZ's wizardry.

CHOICE TRACK -- Peaches en Regalia

1.
One Size Fits All
Original Release Date: June 25, 1975
Warner DiscReet Records
[Buy It]

Hope this wasn't too predictable in being my number 1. It contributed two quality songs to the Top 20 list, including my all-time favourite track in the FZ universe ["Inca Roads" blows my mind even more when I think that it is the freaking album opener], and for someone with 43 minutes to get quickly acquainted with FZ, it serves that purpose to the fullest.

There's definitely something for everyone here: rock, doo-wop, FZ's wah-wah guitar style [a hallmark of mid-70s FZ], blues, funk, and jazz, although served in the tightest, most coherent manner he ever achieved. The flavours are diverse, but with FZ's strong presence, it makes for compelling listening.

As if "Inca Roads" wasn't enough, we segue into several bluesy, groovy tracks ["Can't Afford No Shoes", "Po-jama People" with its quirky lyrics], a well-conceived, sweet little instrumental ["Sofa No. 1"], and some fiery, fierce guitar solos ["Andy" in particular, is pure lightning-in-yer-headphones].

I defy anyone to find a better introduction to FZ's catalog, as One Size Fits All matches the high points of other albums, while weaving them together better than anywhere else in his sizable oeuvre.

CHOICE TRACK -- Andy

***I hope you all enjoyed this series as much as I did. While there were some minor holes here and there [ones I aim to eventually fill with yet more lists in the future], it went rather smoothly. Let me know what you think in the comments.***