Collaboration album between Helena Espvall of Espers et al and Masaki Batoh of Ghost. Recorded in Tokyo, Japan in December 2008, the bulk of Overloaded Ark feels like an instrumental Ghost album, with traditional folk melodies threaded by ethnic strings, wordless vocal tones and the occasional deep-space drone. It feels pretty varied in its approach, with soaring celtic hymns seguing into Popol Vuh-style devotionals and early music instrumentals that could almost be William Lawes. Guest appearances from various Ghost members.

Collaboration album between Helena Espvall of Espers et al and Masaki Batoh of Ghost. Recorded in Tokyo, Japan in December 2008, the bulk of Overloaded Ark feels like an instrumental Ghost album, with traditional folk melodies threaded by ethnic strings, wordless vocal tones and the occasional deep-space drone. It feels pretty varied in its approach, with soaring celtic hymns segueing into Popol Vuh-style devotionals and early music instrumentals that could almost be William Lawes. Guest appearances from various Ghost members.

Edition of 330 copies from this much-vaunted Philadelphia four-piece featuring Meg Baird of Espers on drums. However, this has about as much to do w/Espers proper as a studded codpiece, with an A side written by Richie Charles that comes over like a steamroller driven through Bloodstains Across Birmingham and a cover of Lou Reed’s “Leave Me Alone” on the flip that sounds like a Dictators rehearsal on downs. Classy sub-NY snot rock rendered with, uh, cyclopean grace.

Vinyl edition of this excellent tribute to the American Primitive genius of the late Robbie Basho from a bunch of players with a deep connection to the source including Glenn Jones, Steffen Basho-Junghans, Helena Espvall (Ghost/Espers), Meg Baird (Espers), Arborea, Fern Knight, Cian Nugent and Rahim AlHaj. Buncha female vocal tracks are particularly choice here, highlighting Basho’s gift as a highly idiosyncratic singer as well as a visionary instrumentalist. Dedicated to the memory of Jack Rose. 180g vinyl, edition of 300 copies.