However you may feel about the musical contributions of Devendra Banhart, Six Organs Of Admittance and their often-bearded ilk, they must be credited for helping rescue acoustic-guitar instrumentals from the domain of crunchy mountain festivals and crystal-wearing Michael Hedges fans. This is the third in a series dedicated to highlighting both legendary figures (John Fahey, Robbie Basho) and new players (James Blackshaw, Kaki King), and its best tracks are evenly split between the old and new guards of American primitive guitar. Hrvatski collaborator Greg Davis augments his meditative picking with lush electronic drones on “Sleep Architecture,” while fellow young gun Cian Nugent crisply strums “When The Snow Melts And Floats Downstream.” On “Another Fine Day,” Mark Fosson channels the 12-string Appalachian jangle of Leo Kottke’s earliest work; Steffen Basho-Junghans’ “Blue Mountain Raga II” winds through 14 minutes of circuitous playing that recalls sunlight rippling over a slow-moving stream. Scoff at such naturalist descriptions if you must, but the deceptively simple sounds can be truly transformative if you’re in the proper, down-shifted frame of mind. No facial hair required. Bonus Material: All tracks are previously unreleased, with the exception of Richard Crandell’s “Zocalo” (from 2002’s out-of-print One On One). [www.tompkinssquare.com]
—Chris Barton
