the Outworld Orkestra

Live world fusion/acoustic-electronic music project with Adham Shaikh, the Outworld Orkestra (www.outworld-orkestra.com) brings together the talents of artists from around the sphere adding unique and exotic instrumentation, dance and visual media to Adham’s organic and electronic sounds. The collaboration of the musicians with dance & visual art creates global music tapestries that take listeners on sonic journeys transcending time and place.
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Great Central Sun (Shine, 2012)

Australian Didjeridu master Shine‘s first full-length release Great Central Sun – produced by Adham Shaikh – features Ben Johnson throughout on a variety of instruments including oud, çümbüş, tabla, Persian santoor & darbuka.
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Dig Deep (the Arcane Garden, 2010)

Produced by Will Chapman and Michelle Moss, the Arcane Garden’s ‘Dig Deep’ features Ben Johnson on tabla on the title track, and on Persian santoor on tracks 2 & 3: ‘Dangerous Dissolver’ and ‘Holding’.
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Gesundheit! (Heavy Shtetl, 2010)

Recorded in one take in one room with one microphone, Gesundheit! is the second release by Nelson BC’s premiere klezmer jazz outfit, Heavy Shtetl. Featuring Ben Johnson on drums & darbukka.
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5 Lb. Hammer (Howlin’ Dan & the Riondelics, 2009)

Produced by D.G. Silakiewicz & Ben Johnson, 5 Lb. Hammer features Ben Johnson on drums throughout, and on keyboard accordion on the Blues-Tango number ‘Hey Cinderella’.
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Dinner in Polidroso (Rembetika Hipsters, 2004)

The Rembetika Hipsters‘ second album, marking the song-writing debut of Ben Johnson with the instrumental track ‘Mersini’. Ben is also featured on tabla on ‘Oso Varoun ta Sidera’, – a bold choice for a Cretan folk tune – and on drum kit in 7/8 time on ‘Evil Eye’.

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Xpandora & the Handsome Strangers (2003)

Multi-disciplinary artist Xstine Cook released this EP featuring her original songs, Mark Sadlier-Brown on guitar, Mike McCafferty on bass, and Ben Johnson on drums. Performance highlights included whip-cracking solos, musical saw performance, and an axe solo.

Belladonna (Plaid Tongued Devils, 2002)

A thick soup of pop, rock and ska made with the salty base of gypsy and klezmer music with dashes of spanish and middle eastern influences, Belladonna is the Plaid-Tongued Devils‘ fourth release.

Features Ben Johnson performing a santoor intro to the classic ‘Misirlou’, and on tabla alongside Meghana Bhat’s lovely sitar on ‘Kama Sutra’.

Drumming with Youssoupha Sidibe

What an honour and a workout to perform with the kind and powerful Youssoupha Sidibe, playing his Senegalese kora, with Robbie Roots on bass guitar.

Shot on iPhone by Christine Hamilton – July 24, 2012 at the Royal on Baker, Nelson BC
After one 4-hour rehearsal!