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’.