Flotation Device salutes the fecundity, positivity and multidimensionality of Jack DeJohnette (1942–2025), possibly the most versatile drummer in jazz history, proficient at fusion, bebop and free jazz, as evinced by his recordings with Miles Davis, Keith Jarrett and fellow Chicagoans Roscoe Mitchell and Muhal Richard Abrams, all of which we sample. We also take our first look at Meredith Monk's new Cellular Songs album, and continue our ongoing traversal of Frederic Rzewski’s The Road in its first complete recording. We celebrate the 70th birthday of Bolivian composer Cergio Prudencio with a look at his works for Western and Andean instruments, and we mark the 50th anniversary of a unique Frank Zappa touring band that featured a female lead singer and Zappa showcasing his underappreciated rhythm guitar chops. Some quirky new selections by Ches Smith, Alex Paxton and Aquaserge that remind us of mid-70s Zappa round out the playlist.
