'REPORTS FROM ENGLISH UFOLKLORE' - "Can UFO sightings be considered folklore? Jez Winship addresses this question in the opening paragraph of the booklet included with Folklore Tapes' LP 'When The Frog From The Well Sees The Ocean (Reports From English UFOlklore).' Winship makes a good case, calling on connection to land, in particular Rendlesham Forest, the site of "Britain's Roswell." If woodland fairies and spites are worthy of being called folkloric, why not aliens? The famous "Earth Lights" have been identified as both. And one must admit the portmanteau is exquisite. Winship is a fine guide, describing a hoax in which aliens allegedly phoned from call boxes, emphasizing that there is "always room for doubt in science." He states that faith in extraterrestrial life often replaces faith in traditional religious systems, and that fiction and folklore can create feedback loops. H.G. Wells and Klaatu get the requisite shoutouts. The theory of a hole at the North Pole, however, is easy to dismiss, because everybody knows Santa lives there. Ultimately, Winship concludes that there is "insufficient evidence" to call UFO studies folklore, although he also seems to allow it, as he does contribute a lengthy essay! And if Folklore Tapes didn't make up UFOlklore, we wouldn't have this album, so we're going to allow it too. 17 tracks offer 17 viewpoints, and while they won't convince listeners that UFOs are real, they will remind listeners of the fun of speculation and wonder; and isn't that what folklore is all about? The album brings back memories of old science fiction pulp novels, black-and-white movies, and late nights under the covers with a flashlight, reading UFO magazines purchased from the rack at the supermarket counter. One doesn't need to believe in order to enjoy." ~Richard Allen/A Closer Listen. Housed in a manilla die-cut, hand screen printed sleeve. Includes 30-page booklet featuring essay by Jez Winship along with artist research notes and illustrations. Comes with download code. Limited to 250 copies. TRACKS: 01. DBH - A Sighting 02. Arianne Churchman - The Luminous 03. Thorn Wych - Windy Hill 04. Carl Turney, Brian Campbell & Peter Smyth - July Aitee 05. Ramsey Janini - Signs 06. Dean McPhee - The Second Message 07. Mark O Pilkington - Scoriton 08. Paddy Steer - SOLKA 09. Funz - Transmissions From Earth 10. OG Jigg - The Shape 11. Bridget Hayden - Mysterious Lights Of Egryn 12. Otis Jordan - Pembrokeshire Sighting 13. Magpahi - Night Sky Sapphire 14. Jaycock/Burge - What Monica Saw 15. Sam McLoughlin - NYMZA 16. David Chatton Barker - Sigil Waves 17. Emily Oldfield - Glorious Green Globes