Best known as the founder and guitarist of the English psych/space rock band Ozric Tentacles, Ed Wynne released his own debut solo album, Shimmer into Nature, in 2019. Born in 1961 in Wandsworth, London, the son of sculptor David Wynne, he had a bohemian childhood, spending time with many famous musical figures who hung out at his father's house, such as Jimi Hendrix, Donovan, and George Harrison, who inspired him to take up the guitar. Dropping out of school at 16 to pursue music, he was encouraged by his parents. After playing in a succession of bands, in 1983 he formed the instrumental psychedelic/space rock band Ozric Tentacles. Heavily inspired by Steve Hillage and Gong, their far-out soundscapes blended rock with jazz fusion, ambient dub, and world music, and incorporated synthesizers, samplers, drum programming, and other electronic elements. Gaining exposure through their early cassette albums and lengthy appearances at free festivals (sometimes playing until dawn), the band became popular in the late '80s and early '90s, particularly among the New Age Traveler and "crusty" subcultures. The Ozrics, as they became affectionately known, went on to release numerous live and studio albums. They went through a revolving door of multiple members, many of whom went on to play in other popular acts, such as Eat Static, Senser, Jamiroquai, and Hole. By the early 2000s, the band had become something of a family affair, featuring Wynne's wife Brandi (they later separated, but continued to play in the band together) and his son Silas Neptune, who was also a successful musician in his own right. Wynne remained the only constant member. Beginning in 1986, he also had a long-running, more electronic side project, Nodens Ictus, with the members of Eat Static. Wynne released his debut solo album, Shimmer into Nature, in 2019 on KScope. Inspired by places he had traveled to, from the Colorado Mountains to the Firth of Forth, it had a similar uplifting sound to his day job. ~ John D. Buchanan