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Thanks Turast for confirming that the 15 letters I’d got from the 5 encoded words are correct. These 15 gave me one word of a 4-letter type at 36a. Of what’s left I’ve spotted two other 4-letter types at 23a and 5d if I use V to B, C to T and N to D in the decoding direction. And this leaves me with 5 other letters used in the rest of the clues that require decoding. (Hopefully the 5 to which you refer Turast!). Is this correct?

I’m still looking for two further thematic words including presumably the odd one out. There’s a possibility at 19a which is linked to the 4-letter theme in a different way. But I can’t see any other options.

I found the grid fill relatively straightforward. And the early part of cipher cracking gave me hope I was nearing the endgame. But I’ve ground to a halt.

Additionally I would appreciate some help with 23d where I cannot see the definition... the clue seems to be entirely wordplay to me.

Thank you

It is entirely wordplay but does double duty as definition - but I had to look into Varese (make sure you get the one with the accent) to see why. I'd never even heard of him, but apparently Zappa was a fan.

Many thanks s_pugh. I’d never heard of him either. Good old Wiki!

I too used the decode every entry method. Just to save the effort for anybody who's still toiling, concentrate on

5 Across, 19 Across, 23 Across (Unusual word!), 36 Across, and 5 Down.

A pattern should emerge, along with the coding for BDH & T. These are worked out simply by forming the only words that will fit with the letters you already have and which fit the theme (to emerge as you do it)

According to my calculations, you'll never know FJKQVXZ.

Interesting, Turast
Never occurred to me, but blindingly obvious when you mention it.

Thank you Turast, most helpful.

In (what I thought!) was a full list of decoded clues, I had completely missed out 5 across. Doh! I should have simply rewritten the entire grid, as others have done, to avoid careless omissions. And indeed that would’ve been my next step. But you have saved me the trouble so thank you very much.

Thanks turast, I'd got these five too, but just can't see the connection of 19A with the others. What's the four-letter word everyone is talking about?

The four letter word is a type of weather - and also a type of musical instrument.

.....it’s a WIND instrument.

Thanks unclued, smithsax, should've been a breeze....