Down Beat  (11/97) "...He's wisely chosen to emphasize Zappa's early and mid-career work, as that's the music which is more fluid and graceful--and more apt to swing....reveals the lighthearted playfulness and rhythmic intelligence at the core of Zappa's best work..."

"This album stays true to the sounds and concepts of Frank Zappa," says guitarist and alto saxophonist Ed Palermo of his labor of love. "We played the same melodies and harmonies that are heard on Frank’s albums. We changed the grooves at times opening up the compositions which allows for solo space. This makes for a larger, brighter sound. Doing this highlights the beauty of the melodies and harmonies. Frank was a unique writer who would tell you he wrote in an ugly and strident manner. However, the arrangements and additional sections I composed accent the wonderful and awe-inspiring melodic lines and harmonic structures that he created."

"There was no formula for interpreting these songs," Palermo admits. "I heard more voicings in Frank's music and let my band stretch out which creates more of an impact. I wanted to create a bigger sound. "The Little House I Used To Live In", "King Kong" and "Waka/Jawaka" are songs that we tried to stay true to the original album versions. But, ^"Twenty Small Cigars" and "Toads Of The Short Forest" have been rearranged for a bigger sound. Originally, both of these tunes were less than two minutes in length. Adding a harpsichord part or an oboe solo, for example, definitely opened up things, making the tunes longer."

"A decision was made in the production to not use the song's lyrics even though my live shows feature vocalists at times. Without thc vocals, the songs are more spacious and have more of a jazz feel. I do not think this detracts from the song's original intent. I think the humor of Frank’s lyrics remain with the different instrumentations and presentations that are made."