Japan

Helena Espvall & Masaki Batoh – Overloaded Ark

Style: Progressive Folk, Acid Folk, Psychedelic Chamber Music

Moods: Mysterious, Exploratory, Medieval, Mystical, Ancient, Brooding, Forest, Haunting, Serpentine, Ritualistic, Cinematic

Musical Qualities: Complex, Dense, Acoustic, Progressive, Percussive, Noisy, Improvisation

Instrumentation: Cello, Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Organ, Sho, Banjo, Renaissance Harp, Rauschpfeife, Crumhorn, Cornamuse, Hurdy Gurdy, Electronics, Darbuka, Riq, Frame Drum, Percussion, Recorder, Piano, Vocal Harmonies

Osamu Kitajima – Masterless Samurai

Styles: Jazz-Funk, Japanese Folk, Prog

Moods: Triumphant, Spring, Smooth, Mysterious, Epic, Adventure

Musical Qualities: Lush, Groovy, Progressive, Uncommon Time Signatures, Orchestral, Improvisation, Instrumental, Technical

Instrumentation: Shakuhachi, Koto, Shamisen, Synthesizers, Biwa, Acoustic Guitar, Strings, Electric Bass, Drums, Percussion, Rhodes, Saxophone, Piano, Ehru, Gong, Organ

The Silence – The Silence

Style: Acid Folk, Psych Rock, Prog

Vibe: Mystical, Longing, Retro, Fuzzy, Sentimental, Warm, Nocturnal, Ancient, Mysterious, Eclectic

Boris – W

Style: Ambient Pop, Post-Rock, Drone-Metal

Vibe: Ethereal, Nocturnal, Mysterious, Hypnotic, Deconstructed, Amorphous, Cryptic, Abstract, Enigmatic

Musical Qualities: Atmospheric, Washy, Dynamic, Slow, Whispery Vocals

Ghost – Hypnotic Underworld

Style: Prog, Psych Rock, Acid Folk

Vibe: Epic, Mysterious, Ancient, Eclectic, Suspenseful, Spiritual, Retro

Musical Qualities: Progressive, Odd Time Signatures, Riffs, Atmospheric, Complex

The Silence – Hark the Silence

Style: Psych Rock, Prog

Vibe: Adventure, Epic, Mysterious, Fuzzy, Psychedelic, Retro, Energetic, Propulsive

Musical Qualities: Riffs, Dense, Jams, Progressive

Instrumentation: Electric Guitar, Organ, Saxophone, Electric Bass, Drums, Synthesizers, Flute, Tanpura

Jack DeJohnette – Have You Heard?

Recorded in Tokyo with regular collaborators Gary Peacock and Benny Maupin, plus amazing local pianist Hideo Ichikawa, “Have You Heard?” is an interesting & exploratory record from master drummer Jack DeJohnette. Two shorter cuts of nocturnal modal-jazz bookend a pair of longer, abstract pieces that recall the “modern creative” improvisations coming out of Chicago.

Recommended for fans of Miles Davis’ Nefertiti as well as the works of Art Ensemble of Chicago

Ghost – Tune In, Turn On, Free Tibet

Style: Psychedelic / Chamber Folk

Vibe: Pastoral, Spiritual, Sentimental, Haunting, Medieval, Spring, Peaceful

Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Progressive, Improvisation

Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Cello, Flutes (Kaval, Recorder), Hurdy Gurdy, Drums, Piano, Tanpura, Analogue Synthesizers, Electric Guitar, Tympani, Vibes

Ghost – Lama Rabi Rabi

Style: Progressive Folk-Rock, Psych-Folk, Raga Rock

Vibe: Mysterious, Earthy, Eclectic, Epic, Exploratory, Psychedelic, Ritualistic, Tribal

Musical Attributes: Progressive, Dynamic, Acoustic, Complex

Osamu Kitajima – Benzaiten

Style: Progressive Acid-Folk, Ritual-Folk, Psych

Moods: Sombre, Earthy, Ritualistic, Psychedelic, Brooding, Exploratory, Mysterious, Spiritual

Musical Attributes: Progressive, Acoustic, Percussive, Rhythmic, Complex, Dynamic

The Taj-Mahal Travelers – July 15, 1972

Originally released in 1972 on CBS Records 2019 Superior Viaduct Reissue Format: LP Style: Free Improvisation, Ambient Jazz, Drone Vibe: Ritualistic, Mysterious, Hypnotic, Open, Meditative, Slow, Psychedelic

Boris – Noise

Released in 2014 on Sargent House Format: LPx2, marbled grey vinyl