Elvis Costello & The Roots - Wise Up Ghost [Hi-Res Remastering] (2013)

Since its existence was first hinted at by ?uestlove as an aside during an interview in January, Wise Up Ghost is one of the most anticipated releases of 2013. An exciting and unexpected collaboration between the legendary Elvis Costello and hip-hop grandmasters The Roots, this album will almost certainly take its listeners to a new and exciting place.

Most of the sessions took place in secret at Feliz Habitat Studios in the dead of night, while others were in plain sight at Costello’s Hookery Crookery Studios. Elvis described the record as “the shortest distance between here and there” and containing “both rhythm and what is read”. Ahmir (?uestlove) says, “It's a moody, brooding affair, cathartic rhythms and dissonant lullabies. I went stark and dark on the music, Elvis went HAM on some ole Ezra Pound sh*t.”

In addition to the fabulous Roots crew and friends, the record features a guest vocal appearance on “Cinco Minutos Con Vos” from La Marisoul, lead singer of the Los Angeles group, La Santa Cecilia.

The album was produced by longtime Roots associate, Steven Mandel together with Elvis Costello, and Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson.