Ghost Wisppers

The intoxicating debut from Frozen Ghost commingles Great White North album-oriented rock with a classy new wave chill worthy of their mysterious moniker. Not as artsy as Duran Duran, not as emotive as Ultravox, this pair may be the Canadian answer to Tears for Fears, only better than that sounds. Opening minor hit "Should I See" might as well be the Fixx, but it's actually brainchild Andre Lanni establishing his way with ruminating rhymes and mechanical melody. He came from Sheriff, where he wrote their posthumous smash "When I'm With You" and, after three fine FG works, went on to become a powerhouse producer (King's X) and mentor (Our Lady Peace). Except for the radio number mentioned above, Frozen Ghost fell off the face of the planet instantly. A shame, as the world missed out on the mysterious stranger lurking in "Yum Bai Ya," the military melancholy of "Soldiers Cry," and "End of the Line," a flat-out great pop tune not related to the Traveling Wilburys hit of the same period or even the Roxy Music song (though Roxy roots appear elsewhere). Actually, every track is rock-solid and probably gone forever, further adding to the mystique of one of the all-time should-have-beens.

This 65 minute LP weaves themes of love, heartbreak, and betrayal into monolithic synth-driven space-rock, with inspiration as diverse as Nine Inch Nails, Sigur Ros, Vangelis and Pink Floyd. Writer and producer Christopher Bono utilizes his classical background to sculpt this expansive and engaging series of compositions, contrasting heavy walls of sound with ambient passages, contemporary classical and experimental electronic influences. Bono collaborated with Thomas Pridgen, whose drumming credits include the likes of The Mars Volta, Trash Talk, Suicidal Tendencies and Memorials.

Ghost Power are Jeremy Novak [Dymaxion] and Timothy Gane [Stereolab, Cavern of Anti-Matter and Turn On]. Duophonic Super 45s have previously released music by both artists - Novak via a Dymaxion compilation album and 7", Gane via various Stereolab, Cavern of Anti-Matter and Turn On releases. Having previously released a limited edition 7" in 2020, Ghost Power by Ghost Power brings the two musicians together for a full length album. The tracks were recorded in Berlin and New York, both remotely and with Novak and Gane working together in each city.

An odd story this, one that involves subversion, possession, and the spirits of bands past. Reign Ghost were happily playing around the Ontario scene in the late '60s, when they found themselves surreptitiously being taken over by former members of another local group, Christopher Columbus Discovery of New Lands Band. Guitarist Bob Bryden and singer Lynda Squires were the first to infiltrate, followed by bassist Joe Gallant, and later Jerry Dufek. Now thoroughly possessed by Columbus, Reign Ghost released their self-titled debut in 1969. Too many specters of the past, however, led to the lineup's collapse; however, the Ghost was resurrected by Bryden and Squires, with a new rhythm section along and a second singing guitarist to battle axes with Bryden…

The vocal/piano duo Emerald Ghost was formed in 2019 in Bern, Switzerland, and comprises the British soprano Lucy De Butts and the Italian pianist Giovanna Gatto.