1972 was a weird year for Frank Zappa. Confined to a wheelchair while recovering from being attacked onstage at the end of 1971, he was unable to tour. Instead, he turned his energies to writing and recording two largely instrumental albums, Waka/Jawaka and The Grand Wazoo. Together with 1969's Hot Rats, they completed a trilogy of the most jazz-influenced music he ever made.

This new box set contains those two albums on Blu-ray in surround sound with new hi-res stereo mixes. But it's the four CDs that contain the real treasure. Extensive outtakes and alternate takes and mixes of all the tracks on Waka/Jawaka and The Grand Wazoo shine new light on the genius of their construction. Stripped of some of their familiar studio sheen, they’re revealed in a more raw state, with their jazz foundations clearer than ever, while alternative solos from Zappa and others add an irresistible spontaneity and freshness. Also included here is the entirety of a December 1972 concert by Zappa's 10-piece ‘Petite Wazoo’ band, transferring the tracks skilfully to a live context, and previously unheard demos by keyboardist George Duke, which Zappa produced and played guitar on. An essential release for all true Zappaphiles.