The Psychedelic Ensemble--The Sunstone

[Soc Prof]

Mr. Psychedelic himself was kind enough to send me a free download of the new album (see story below). I'm "old school" so I bought the physical CD anyway. After three listens, I have concluded that this is his best one yet. The overall style is similar to his previous album The Tale of the Golden King, but with even more stylistic diversity. There are dark, dissonant passages, but also some nice melodic passages. I could be wrong, but it sounds like he is still using the mighty ARP 2600 for most of the synth soloing. He also brings in guest classical musicians for a small orchestra on some of the tracks. Ann Caren is back on vocals. He even has Michael Wilk of Steppenwolf fame delivering a Hammond B3 solo. Samples (aka camples) and details of the album concept can be found on his site:
http://www.thepsychedelicensemble.com/TheSunstone.html

If you have never heard The Psychedelic Ensemble before, image symphonic prog concepts albums written and played by a professor of composition. The main influences are Yes, ELP, Gentle Giant, Pink Floyd, and Return to Forever, plus modern classical and pre-classical music. Of course, he mixes the influences into his own style.

Now, I know that some TPE fans have been trying to guess his identity. I managed to connect the clues, and then emailed him to let him know. He dubbed me "Sherlock Holmes" and emailed me a link to the new album. But he also asked me not to reveal his identity since he wants TPE music to "stand on its own" and not be linked to his classical composing career. Fair enough. So if you want to figure out who he is, you're on your own.

[N_Singh]

Very interesting that in the heyday of so called psychedelic rock, there was never any group that would even think of using that descriptive word in the actual band name. That would have been way to silly and preposterous to even remotely consider.

Not so apparently today. Where people are far less modest, and even Neal Morse ldescribes himself as a "Prog star". Which even radio couldn't even be bothered with, ahem, "killing" these days.

[Soc Prof]

The funny thing is that The Psychedelic Ensemble isn't psychedelic rock the way most people think of the term. He is symphonic rock with classical and fusion elements. He came up with the name because his debut album The Art of Madness, which he thought would be a one-off, explored the psyche. Now that he has a string of albums, he regrets his name choice, but it's too late to change it.

[yes123]

Started another thread a couple of days ago, not many seemed interested.Love this artist/band.
As I pointed out in my thread -I hear Rick W in the sound of the synth solos.
Also Ian A (Tull not Jon A) in his phrasing.
Sunstone is better than "King" IMHO.

[Balrog666]

I like TPE! Have all the albums. "Sunstone" is on the way to becoming my favorite as well.

[Supersonic Scientist]

I have one of his (cant recall the title now but I sure do dig it)...will have to get this new one too.

[Soc Prof]

Started another thread a couple of days ago, not many seemed interested.Love this artist/band.
As I pointed out in my thread -I hear Rick W in the sound of the synth solos.
Also Ian A (Tull not Jon A) in his phrasing.
Sunstone is better than "King" IMHO.

Sorry, somehow I missed the earlier thread.

I definitely hear the Rick W comparison in the synth solos, though some of TPE's patches sound a little brighter or brassier. I've never done an A/B comparison between a Minimoog and an ARP 2600, but the synth choice might have something to do with it.

I hadn't thought about the Ian A comparison, but now I can hear it in some of the vocal + acoustic guitar parts on the new album.

[JKL2000]

Jonathan Roberts?

[moecurlythanu]

I'm confused. I thought the new PE paradigm is to hold Symphonic music in contempt and disdain? Well, even if the crowd comes armed with rotting vegetables, I think this is pretty good. Will order a copy, thanks for posting.

Yeah, very poor choice of name.

[rickawakeman]

Just picked this up while here in Montreal at Melodisc, where the owner turned me onto "Tale of the Golden King" when we were here last fall for Bryan Ferry. I'm not adverse to paying more to a store that makes great recommendations!

[Soc Prof]

Jonathan Roberts?

Are you asking if this is the real identity of TPE? It would be pretty tricky to pose as a guest musician on your own album!

Apparently there is more than one high profile musician with this name. Here is the dude who conducts the orchestra for TPE, along with this violin-playing wife, Amanda.
http://www.thestardustduo.com/

Too young to be TPE (who reports being in his 50s in one of the interviews posted on TPE's website).

[JKL2000]

He's Mason Reese.

[Soc Prof]

Interesting choice! Except Mason just turned 50 today, and the interview was from a few years ago. Keep trying.

[samdelrussi]

Whoever he is he sure can turn out an exquisite album.

[JKL2000]

I think it's finally time to fess up. I'm The Psychedelic Ensemble.

[Soc Prof]

Whoever he is he sure can turn out an exquisite album.

With a beautiful album cover by some evil genius named...(flip, flip, flip)...San Del Russi!

Seriously, the cover of The Sunstone is one of my favorites, up there with Yes Tales from Topographic Oceans and Anthony Phillips Wise After the Event. I just wish both halves of the picture (unfolded) fit on the t-shirt.

[Soc Prof]

I think it's finally time to fess up. I'm The Psychedelic Ensemble.

That means you must be Mason Reece.

[TPE]

Hi there,

Thanks for listening to my music.

I do use an Arp 2600, but sparingly on The Sunstone--too much trouble keeping it in tune. Of course pitch drift was always a problem with the Arp and Moog. Onward, albeit not necessarily upward, I've gone to digital synthesizers.

Best,

"The Psychedelic Ensemble"

[rickawakeman]

We are all The Psychedelic Ensemble.

[Soc Prof]

Onward, albeit not necessarily upward, I've gone to digital synthesizers.

Thanks for chiming in, TPE. I'm curious, are we talking soft synths like the Arturia ARP 2600 V? Supposedly the Moog Sub 37 has solved the pitch drift problem while staying analog.

[Soc Prof]

We are all The Psychedelic Ensemble.

Now that I can get behind.

[spacefreak]

A very rewarding project with a very awkward name.

Sunstone is an auto-buy.

[miamiscot]

Almost as good as The Golden King.

[infandous]

Very interesting that in the heyday of so called psychedelic rock, there was never any group that would even think of using that descriptive word in the actual band name. That would have been way to silly and preposterous to even remotely consider.

Not so apparently today. Where people are far less modest, and even Neal Morse ldescribes himself as a "Prog star". Which even radio couldn't even be bothered with, ahem, "killing" these days.

Of course, they didn't hesitate to use the word in promoting themselves, or in song titles (Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast comes to mind). Probably album titles as well, though I'm not sure about that.

I don't really see an issue with the name, especially since the music on the albums isn't really psychedelic music at all. In any event, the guy knows how to make a good prog album.

[notallwhowander]

camples?