‘Arizona Amp and Alternator’ is the debut from Howe Gelb’s one-off project featuring members of Arcade Fire, Grandaddy, Scout Niblett and M Ward. Released for the first time on transparent violet double vinyl, this special release includes extensive notes and interviews with the collaborators. From the godfather of alt-country, this side project is uniquely Howe with his stream of conscious ramblings and a special collective at his helm. This debut sees Grandaddy backing Traffic’s ‘Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys’ whilst Scout Niblett makes a cameo on ‘Recital’ and Frank Loesser’s ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’ gets a new rendition featuring Danish singer Marie Lorette Friis. Other stand-out duets include ‘Loretta and the Insect World’ and ‘Where The Wind Turns The Skin To Leather’ that has a distinctly Lee Hazelwood feel. “These instrumental doodlings, fully fleshed-out tunes, live show-takes and collaborations stand on their own as both intro and primer to Gelb’s delightfully off-kilter world.” Blurt