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BRIAN ELLIS

Psychedelic/Space Rock • United States


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Brian Ellis biography
Brian ELLIS is a versatile musician born in Escondido, CA, who is renowned as a guitarist / Moog synthesizer player in ASTRA simultaneously. Whilst joining various projects like Brian E, Birdzilla, Moses & The Hierarchy, or MC JRE & The E Team, he's released solo albums since 2007 via Scottish electronic label named Benbecula Records - after Benbecula label closed, he released his third album "Quipu" (2011) via a UK independent label Parallax Sounds Records.

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BRIAN ELLIS discography


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BRIAN ELLIS top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

5.00 | 1 ratings
Free Way
2007
4.00 | 2 ratings
The Silver Creature
2007
3.29 | 7 ratings
Quipu
2011
3.80 | 5 ratings
Escondido Sessions
2015
4.00 | 1 ratings
Suspension
2017
3.96 | 4 ratings
Ellis / Munk Ensemble: San Diego Sessions
2020

BRIAN ELLIS Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

0.00 | 0 ratings
Live At The Tin Can Alehouse
2011
0.00 | 0 ratings
Live At The Casbah
2011
0.00 | 0 ratings
Live At Bar Pink
2011

BRIAN ELLIS Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

BRIAN ELLIS Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

BRIAN ELLIS Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

0.00 | 0 ratings
Cosmic Perspective
2006

BRIAN ELLIS Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Ellis / Munk Ensemble: San Diego Sessions by ELLIS, BRIAN album cover Studio Album, 2020
3.96 | 4 ratings

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Ellis / Munk Ensemble: San Diego Sessions
Brian Ellis Psychedelic/Space Rock

Review by Rivertree
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator / Band Submissions

4 stars Now here you have the opportunity to become familiar with a collaboration of two prolific musicians deriving from the current progressive psychedelic/space rock front. On this occasion formed under the moniker ELLIS/MUNK ENSEMBLE. On the keyboards you can notice the allmighty Brian Ellis, amongst several other projects managing guitar work for the US band Astra. He joins forces with allrounder Jonas Munk, probably bestknown for playing with the Danish band Causa Sui. When it comes to additional guitar, bass, drum/percussion and keyboard power they are supported by not less than eleven other musicians in total. The album title 'San Diego Sessions' exactly points to what has happened. Yep, they actually have met in California, it was September 2019 exactly.

The seven songs selected for this album are carved out from several evenings, yet showcasing an instrumental as well as rather improvisational nature. A slight jazzy flavour predominantly comes from the keyboards. The Wedge provides a valuable entry to the album, powerful drive featuring fuzzy guitars, lively organ and drumming all over. When trying to spot an album highlight, the following Pauly's Pentacle turns out to be my big favourite. The inspired flow, the playfullness, awesome track! A worthwhile matter. Psychedelic space rock fans in general, moreover those especially with Causa Sui or 3rd Ear Experience affinity, are warmly invited to come in.

 Suspension by ELLIS, BRIAN album cover Studio Album, 2017
4.00 | 1 ratings

BUY
Suspension
Brian Ellis Psychedelic/Space Rock

Review by BrufordFreak
Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

— First review of this album —
4 stars It takes a lot to get this former-reviewer off his duff and into the review-writing mode, but this is one album that inspired me to do so BIG TIME. This mostly-solo artist really knows what he's doing! I loved 2011's Cosmic Perspective but this is way better! And such a diverse collection of trippy, jazzy, funky, proggy instrumentals! Awesome! Definitely a keeper! A true masterpiece of eclectic gathering of retro 1960s-early 1970s sounds and styles.

Tracklist: 1. "Roadbells" (3:08) gentle solo distorted electric piano opens before being joined by other keys/vibes in a three- way weave. Old IRON BUTTERFLY-like organ (with Mellotron backing) then takes the lead. Cool! Funky EGG/BACHian end! (8.5/10)

2. "Spiral" (5:33) opens with some serious funk in the bass and drums! Multiple keys create a little repetitive weave which is then joined by electric guitar. Definitely a perfect setup for some blazing guitar soloing--but the drums and keys steal the show, that is, until the fourth minute when two (or is it three) layers of guitars come out of the gates. Reminds me of QUANTUM FANTAY or SAMSARA BLUES EXPERIMENT. (8.5/10)

3. "Worship" (5:13) old bluesy-funky jazz with the guitars sounding like the saxophones. Amazing! Again, a very old sound and style resurrected for this song. Great ears, Brian! (Wish I could peg the 1960s-70s jazz-funk artist this reminds me of! Larry Coryell? Eumir Deodato?) (9.5/10)

4. "Seventeenth" (2:33) a piano étude (for three pianos) reminiscent of many tributes to John Coltrane and/or Bill Evans. Incredible! (There's even a little "Shaft" in there, right Brian?) (9.5/10)

5. "Emerald" (3:36) This guy can play an organ! And choose great sounds from it, too! A little Wakeman-like feel (Criminal Record or "Seahorses") to this one. Awesome! And incredible use of effects to fade. (9/10)

6. "East" (6:15) like ELECTRIC ORANGE on acid--or Courvoisier! Awesome! One of the best songs of the year! (10/10)

7. "Dwell" (featuring Zuri Waters on saxophone) (6:36) funky but pretty straightforward. Nice Santana-like guitar sound/styling. Like the "tuned percussion" and drums best. Really gets under your skin (in a good way) by the end! (9.5/10)

8. Night Flight (6:54) moody heavily treated electric piano (á la LED ZEPPELIN's "No Quarter") opens up the song before heavily distorted softly picked electric guitar is woven in, and then bass. As a matter of fact, the longer it plays, it reminds me a LOT of "No Quarter." Crazy synths and even heavier distortion of other instruments turns the second half into a kind of cray-cray updated end to "Space Oddity." (8/10)

4.5 stars; a near masterpiece of progressive rock music though it is one of my favorite albums of the year!

Thanks to DamoXt7942 for the artist addition.

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