On the front cover of Timo Ellis' debut solo release the title reads "the enchanted forest of Timo Ellis", yet the side of the CD jacket reads "the enchanting schizophrenia of Timo Ellis". Regardless of the title we choose, Cibo Matto fans will not be disappointed. Most Cibo Matto fans know Timo as the talented drummer and singer that joined the band during the making of "Stereotype A", but there is a lot more to Timo than being a drummer and background singer. In his debut CD, Timo demonstrates that he is a multitalented musician, singer, and composer. He worked with Ron "Al B." Shaffer of Ron's Orchard st. apt. studio to produce the EP in a series of recording sessions during the year 2000. In fact, Timo was planning to take the year 2000 to make his solo CD while on tour during the "1999 Stereotype A" tour. It worked out well for Timo and Cibo Matto that their schedules allowed everyone to keep busy working on various solo projects last year.

This musical adventure uses high quality production techniques in conjunction with Timo's great musical arrangements to create a musical experience that might be described as, "over the top". "the enchanted forest" spotlights Timo's vast talent as a musician, songwriter, and producer. All four songs on the EP were written and arranged by Timo. Through the course of the EP Timo plays electric and acoustic guitars, bass, drums, cymbals, Roland pma-5, Roland mc-505, Roland sp-202, Nord Lead 2, Casio sk-1, Casio sk-60, and Boss dr-660. The music runs a gauntlet of musical styles ranging from Latin, to hard rock, to pop, and techno. Timo's song writing, singing, and production methods follow the formulas that he was exposed to while playing with "Cibo Matto" and the "Sean Lennon Band". The music comes off as a hybrid of ideas gleaned from his years of diverse musical experience. While the EP hints of previous projects that Timo has collaborated on, he takes his solo project a couple of steps further.

The high quality production of the CD sounds of Brian Wilson's influence that has affected the previous projects of Yuka Honda and Sean Lennon. Not to be outdone, Timo varies the landscape a little more sharply in his segues between various musical styles. Timo's personal love for crunch, metal guitars keeps erupting from within quiet corners and pop melodies. This is metal music done right to be sure. The EQ of the heavy power barrages is such as to not waste the eardrums of the hapless listener. In addition, high quality vocals can be found laid on top of electronic madness. In the song "El Serape", quiet little keyboard melodies somehow are spun from heavy metal guitar riffs, and then fades into FM Latin relapse. We find a heavy metal bridge amidst the soulful sentiment of the pop melody of "Arriveduci". Timo's movement between styles of the first two songs is complemented by the techno dance number titled, "Flash Dumbo". The changing musical score and diverse musical bridges are held together by the high quality production of the songs.

While this is 100% Timo being Timo, Cibo Matto fans will note some special guest appearances on the CD by Sean Lennon, Duma Love, Japa K. Orozco, and our own lady of grace "Yuka Honda". When viewed as a release from the Cibo Matto family, "the enchanted forest of Timo Ellis" raises the bar for all other projects to follow. While the other members of the family might use other musical styles to express their ideas, the musical quality and production of the CD takes everything to a new level of expectancy. This is Timo stepping out from behind of the drum kit to demonstrate just how much more there is to this very talented individual.

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