Frank Zappa was (and still is) one of my heroes. I can honestly say that if it wasn't for Frank Zappa my world of music would be microscopic in scale. His music was a stepping off point from which a whole vast universe came into view. And for that, I am forever grateful.

Tonight it's a track off Uncle Meat, one of those albums that was a turning point in the evolution of Frank's music. As ground breaking as Freak Out was (his first album) at the time, Uncle Meat was pivotal in Frank's transition from Pop iconoclast to serious composer.

Uncle Meat Variations is off the original side 2 of the lp and the one I was humming all day. As a stand-alone piece it probably doesn't do the whole album justice. But with the limited amount of time, it's a good taste if you aren't familiar.

Frank Zappa's catalog of albums is huge (some 60 at last count), and if you aren't all that familiar with him, Uncle Meat is a good album to jump into.

But then, I'm partial to it. I've been humming it all day.