Rob Ellis is best known by proxy, for his collaborations. He’s worked with PJ Harvey since her first album, Dry, and co-produced Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea. His own outfit Spleen released two splendidly sprawling albums for the Swarfinger label and he has played percussion for much acclaimed uneasy-pop auteurs, Laika. Music For The Home demonstrates another, previously hidden side to his talent.

Subtitled “Instrumental, Mechanical & Electronic Music 1994-1999”, Music For The Home is the result of many years of personal fascination with contemporary classical music, jazz and electronica. Ellis is a self-taught pianist, and the album started life as a piano solo album, gradually evolving into something more orchestrated, taking in music boxes and other wind-up instruments, as well as cello and classical guitar. The album has more in common with the work of composers like Messaien, Reich and Steve Martland than it does with any of Ellis’ previous work. Music For The Home is not ‘played’ as such, rather it comprises a suite of music pieced together from fragments and layers of recordings made over several years. Ellis’ composing and arranging, though unconventional here, provide a flow and rhythm that gives the album cohesive force.

CD in 6-panel digipak – BAY 15CD

BAY 15E