THE ELECTRIC BIBLE | CHAPTER 035

Incarnations collects three extended instrumental tracks recorded by steel-string acoustic guitarist Robbie Basho (self-named after a Japanese poet-mystic) in 1967. Inspired after witnessing sitar master Pandit Ravi Shankar in 1962, Basho set about devising a new music system which would incorporate both American folk and Eastern modes, the creation of “American ragas” (typefied by “Song Of God”, included here, with its heavy 12-string drone). Psychedelic in its transcendental nature, Basho’s music remains at the peak of 60s acoustic guitar innovation, with the exploratory compositions on Incarnations epitomising his hybrid style and vision; this is the holy music of American primitivism.