Ghost are a loosely net collective of musicians, centered largely around the neo-psychedelic explorations of Kyoto born leader/guitarist Masaki Batoh. His music is enhanced by a long list of passing members and guests, and captured on tape by longstanding member producer/flute/sax /Theremin player Taishi Takizawa. The group originally formed in Tokyo in 1984, and are said to live in a communally and nomadically, drifting amongst uninhabited places of various sorts, favoring caves, woods, temples and churches. The band’s first release,
Ghost, appeared in 1991 and was licensed by Chicago based indie Drag City, who have now licensed seven of their albums, including 2004’s
Hypnotic World. The band’s sound clearly has roots in the psychedelic sounds of California in the 60’s and 70’s, but also shows prog, Krautrock and ethnic tendencies. Ghost’s songs often feature a good deal of improvisation, and are sometimes unusually structured. Some songs clock in at over ten minutes, and many feature unusual instruments and arrangements. The group mostly performs original material but have recorded versions of Syd Barrett’s “Dominoes” and the Rolling Stones’ “Live With Me”. Ghost, currently a six piece band, have played various gigs internationally, including dates in the States in 2004. Their collaborations include a number with former Galaxie 500 members Damon and Naomi, most notably on the Sub Pop album of 2000,
Damon and Naomi with Ghost. Gho...
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Ghost are a loosely net collective of musicians, centered largely around the neo-psychedelic explorations of Kyoto born leader/guitarist Masaki Batoh. His music is enhanced by a long list of passing members and guests, and captured on tape by longstanding member producer/flute/sax /Theremin player Taishi Takizawa. The group originally formed in Tokyo in 1984, and are said to live in a communally and nomadically, drifting amongst uninhabited places of various sorts, favoring caves, woods, temples and churches. The band’s first release,
Ghost, appeared in 1991 and was licensed by Chicago based indie Drag City, who have now licensed seven of their albums, including 2004’s
Hypnotic World. The band’s sound clearly has roots in the psychedelic sounds of California in the 60’s and 70’s, but also shows prog, Krautrock and ethnic tendencies. Ghost’s songs often feature a good deal of improvisation, and are sometimes unusually structured. Some songs clock in at over ten minutes, and many feature unusual instruments and arrangements. The group mostly performs original material but have recorded versions of Syd Barrett’s “Dominoes” and the Rolling Stones’ “Live With Me”. Ghost, currently a six piece band, have played various gigs internationally, including dates in the States in 2004. Their collaborations include a number with former Galaxie 500 members Damon and Naomi, most notably on the Sub Pop album of 2000,
Damon and Naomi with Ghost. Ghost have also worked with former Can member Damo Suzuki. In addition Masaki Butoh has recorded as a solo artist and as a member of the group Sweet & Honey. Since early in their career Ghost have been quite well received by press in the United States, but they are not well known within Japan itself.
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