Rare ‘Face Down’ Demo Trails Release Of Frank Zappa ‘Over-Nite Sensation’ Reissue
The much-anticipated super deluxe edition of Zappa’s 1973 classic will be released through Zappa Records/UMe on November 17.
A previously unreleased demo of Frank Zappa’s “I’m The Slime,” named in this early incarnation as “Face Down” is out now as a trailer for the new super deluxe edition of Zappa’s Over-Nite Sensation, set for release on November 17 via Zappa Records/UMe.
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A previously unreleased and decidedly funky take of “Fifty-Fifty” (Basic Tracks, Take 7),” recorded in April/May 1973 at Whitney Studios, was released as the first taste of this expansive and illuminating new box set and now today fans can get another glimpse into the making of the album through the previously unreleased obscure demo of “I’m The Slime” named in its early days as “Face Down.” The track is one of many of the Bonus Vault Sessions included on the collection, which shows how the songs evolved and took shape through the writing and recording process. You can listen to “Face Down” below.
The super deluxe edition of Over-Nite Sensation showcases 88 tracks in total, featuring 57 previously unreleased tracks and mixes. Produced and compiled by Ahmet Zappa and Zappa Vaultmeister Joe Travers, this new, expanded collection boasts the 2012 remaster of the original album by Bob Ludwig, along with additional unreleased masters, highlights, and mix outtakes from the original 1973 sessions mastered by John Polito.
Also included are two completely unreleased live concert recordings from 1973 showcasing the same band that recorded the classic album — one show captured at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, and the other recorded at Cobo Hall in Detroit. The Blu-ray contains the core album newly remixed in Dolby Atmos and 5.1 surround sound by Karma Auger and Erich Gobel at Studio1LA, the same team behind the acclaimed Dolby Atmos and surround mixes of 2022’s Waka/Wazoo release, plus it offers Zappa’s original 4-channel Quadraphonic mix (available again for the first time since 1973) as well as the hi-res stereo 2012 remaster at both 24-bit/192kHz and 24-bit/96kHz.
The lavish, Super Deluxe Edition box is rounding out with a 48-page booklet and unseen photos from the album cover shoot by Sam Emerson, along with liner notes and new essays by noted audiophile journalist Mark Smotroff and Travers.
In addition to the Super Deluxe Edition box set, Over-Nite Sensation is also available on 2LP 180-gram black audiophile vinyl with the album cut at 45 rpm for the first time ever from the original analog tape by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering in 2023 and a bonus 24” x 12” poster of the complete cover art.
Additionally, the Super Deluxe Edition will be available digitally, with all 88 tracks available in both hi-res 24-bit/96kHz and standard-res 16-bit/44.1kHz options. A standalone Dolby Atmos mix of the core album’s seven tracks will also be available on all major hi-res streaming services.
Widely accepted as a stone cold classic, Over-Nite Sensation has long been viewed by both the cognoscenti and layman as being a gateway album entry into the Zappaverse at large, serving as a mighty grand place to enter into the breach along with his follow-up March 1974 solo release, Apostrophe(‘). It was also the first album by Zappa to be released in Quadraphonic surround sound, an ever-evolving sonic medium Zappa would continue to explore throughout his career on the cutting edge.
