Ensemble

Olivier Alary, a Frenchman, launched Ensemble in 1998 after abandoning his studies and relocating to London in pursuit of a music career; the project has shifted between collective and solo formats ever since. Although an early encounter with the recently formed FatCat Records looked encouraging, Alary instead placed the debut recording—then featuring vocalist Chanelle Kimber—on Rephlex Records in 2000. That decision drew the notice of Icelandic superstar Björk, who commissioned Alary to remix her tracks “Sun in My Mouth” and “Cocoon” and to contribute an original piece to her 2004 album Medúlla. Intent on sustaining a fusion of folk-pop with expansive symphonic textures, Alary began preparing new material, and in 2006 Ensemble appeared on FatCat, showcasing guest contributions from Lou Barlow, Chan Marshall, and others.