Search - Greg Ellis :: Kala Rupa

Kala Rupa
Greg Ellis
Kala Rupa
Genres: Dance & Electronic, International Music, New Age, Pop
 
  •  Track Listings (10) - Disc #1

Percussionist Greg Ellis is already known for his vibrant drumming in the "alternative world" group Vas. He has also performed with Mickey Hart and Billy Idol. On this solo effort, Ellis generates beguiling drum tapestrie...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Greg Ellis
Title: Kala Rupa
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Narada
Original Release Date: 1/1/2001
Re-Release Date: 10/9/2001
Genres: Dance & Electronic, International Music, New Age, Pop
Styles: World Dance, Meditation, Instrumental, Adult Contemporary, Adult Alternative
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 724381098028, 724381098059

Synopsis

Amazon.com
Percussionist Greg Ellis is already known for his vibrant drumming in the "alternative world" group Vas. He has also performed with Mickey Hart and Billy Idol. On this solo effort, Ellis generates beguiling drum tapestries filled with potent grooves and melodic playing. (Yes, drums can be melodic.) Each of the 10 percussive "forms" on this album is augmented by one or two other instruments--cello, jaw harp, kamancheh, hammered dulcimer, or bansuri--and the results range from dark and dreamy ("Form 5") to uptempo and animated ("Form 8"). Ellis's bandmate from Vas, vocalist Azam Ali, lends her captivating voice to two tracks. Kala Rupa is a strong testament to the powerful magic of drumming. --Bryan Reesman

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CD Reviews

Percussion Nirvana
Thomas Gryn | Washington D.C., USA | 12/04/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)

"On Greg Ellis' first solo album, he doesn't so much divorce himself from his prior work (as one-half of the duo "Vas"), as go deeper into the percussive-trance style he has been developing over the past few years. While many of us tend to associate "drum solo" with the part of a rock concert where the rest of the band takes a breather while the drummer drones on for nearly a half-hour, Ellis' work on "Kala Rupa" shows that percussion can also have a fine level of finesse and precision to it. The variety of instruments, and the skill that Ellis brings to the table, enables the album to transcend many of the stereotypes of a "drummer's album", to emerge into a place which lends itself to deep meditation and concentration. Ellis' partner, Azam Ali, sings on a few of the songs on the album, which is an unexpected gift to fans of their Vas work. Highly Recommended."
Bringing it in Neutral
MarijaynesGreen | San Diego CA | 12/14/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)

"When you open the cd insert Greg Ellis explains why he called the cd Kala Rupa and why all of the songs are called "Forms" instead of using traditional song titles. Kala Rupa literally means Time Form.



He wants the listener to begin each track on neutral grounds, forming your own opinion and perception of the song and of the beautiful sounds of the instruments.



I've listened to this cd over and over and each song is amazing. All based on hand drums, he and other talented musicians get together and create a magical experience. Each song is extremely unique, all different rhythms, from all over the world.



I've listened to tracks on all sorts of "world music" cd's. I've sifted through artist after artist on Amazon... and I must say, Greg Ellis's Kala Rupa is a must have to any music collection.

Very easy to trance out to, to belly dance to, to make love to, to drive to, to party to, to mix with.

So buy it already!!"
Nice work but not cohesive
Brianna Neal | 02/14/2003
(3 out of 5 stars)

"Greg is a outrageously great musician. Form 3, with Azam Ali, is hypnotic and exactly what you would expect from Greg. However, this CD does not flow as a complete thematic musical work. Each song is named 'Form 1' through 'Form 10'. These songs are more like an experimental work in progress rather than a musical offering like you would expect on a CD. This is more like a reference than entertainment."