God Says I Can't Dance

God Says I Can't Dance is the second studio recording from Tipographica, following a live release. By this point, leader Tsuneo Imahori had absorbed so much Frank Zappa that it was practically exuding from his entire body. The liner notes describe a scenario in which someone doesn't speak any Russian, but is constantly drawn to a Russian book in his possession. After months of getting pleasure from examining the book, but not really understanding it, suddenly one day the person has full mastery of Russian. So it appears to be with Imahori and the Book of Zappa. Every track on this album is about as polyrhythmically challenging as the "Black Page." Even though the compositions might be more difficult, and the arrangements more complex, they seem to come off smoother than some of the tunes on the first album, Tipographica. The intricacy of the arrangements combined with fantastic recording and production are a real treat for the ears. Sax man Naruyoshi Kikuchi and trombone player Osamu Matsumoto play well throughout, but special mention must go drummer Akira Sotoyama and guitarist/leader Tsuneo Imahori. Imahori's mastery of Zappa's guitar technique and tone is unsurpassed, and Sotoyama's playing is reminiscent of Shut Up'n Play Yer Guitar era Vinnie Colaiuta. Imahori's compositional skills have progressed to where the tunes, while being somewhat derivative, sound neither slavish or forced. This record should appeal to fans of adventurous, progressive rock and jazz, and is a must for hardcore Zappa fanatics.