RVNG roll out FRKWYS Vol. 8

RVNG Intl’s ongoing series of collaborative releases from bands you might not have heard of but are thankful they came together, known appropriately as FRKWYS, reaches its eighth edition with a double album length project between Blues Control and Laraaji.

It follows the “fodder first” tradition that has peppered all FRKWYS releases to date, with the RVNG bosses making tentative enquiries with the Blues Control duo Russ Waterhouse and Lea Cho as to their interest in participation via email. Legendary American zither player Laraaiji (also known as Edward Larry Gordon) was one of the first names Waterhouse and Cho mentioned as possible collaborators.

The music that makes up FRKWYS Vol 8 was recorded during a day long session at the Black Dirt Studios in Upstate New York, with the trio delivering some four hours worth of improvised material. The end product is the six extended jams that veer deep into the cosmic ether; you can sample the lead track “Awakening Day” below for a full idea of what to expect.

Furthermore, this edition is perhaps the most extensive FRKWYS release to date as vinyl, CD, digital and cassette versions are all being prepped, with the latter being the first time the label has used the format. As per usual, no expense has been spared on presentation, with the vinyl edition housed in thick black jackets with a two tone adhesive wrap, whilst subscribers to the series are offered the chance to purchase one of fifty LPs that come packaged in leatherette jackets.

A more comprehensive dissection of this release can of course be found at the RVNG site, and the label will be releasing the physical editions of FRKWYS Vol. 8 on November 15 with the digital editions following on November 29. Amusingly, details of FRKWYS Vol. 1 are still being kept under wraps.

Tracklistings:

LP

Side A (33 RPM)
1. Awakening Day (8:37)
2. Light Ships (11:32)

Side B (33 RPM)
1. City of Love (8:43)
2. Freeflow (7:35)

Bonus downloads:
1. Somebody Scream (35:03)
2. Astral Jam (17:21)

CD
1. Awakening Day (8:37)
2. Light Ships (11:32)
3. City of Love (8:43)
4. Freeflow (7:35)

Bonus downloads:

Somebody Scream (35:03)
Astral Jam (17:21)

Cassette 1

Side A
1. Awakening Day (8:37)
2. Light Ships (11:32)

Side B
1. City of Love (8:43)
2. Freeflow (7:35)

Cassette 2

Side A
1. Somebody Scream (35:03)

Side B
2. Astral Jam (17:21)