Downes Braide Association (DBA) was formed by Geoff Downes and Chris Braide and has now released five critically acclaimed studio albums and a live album. The project draws on Downes’ and Braide’s rich musical heritage to create a delightfully accessible brand of progressive rock. Chris Braide is a British singer, songwriter & producer and has worked with – well, everyone really – from Lana Del Ray and Sia to Hans Zimmer and Beyonce – while progressive rock legend Geoffrey Downes has played keyboards for Yes and Asia and co-wrote the hits Video Killed the Radio Star and Heat of the Moment.
HALCYON HYMNS
#7 in Official Indie Breakers Albums Charts
“It was so great to witness Chris’s creativity making my fundamental ideas come alive. He took the bare bones of melodies, harmonies and textures I sent him, and somehow crafted these into something way beyond my expectations or imagination. ‘Love Among The Ruins’ is one of the many examples on the album of his rare genius at work.” - Geoff Downes
CELESTIAL SONGS
‘This is a majestic effort’, ‘DBA really do just keep getting better’, ‘Braide, as composer, singer and musician, is nothing short of a musical genius’. - Magnus Moar - The Progressive Aspect
‘The songs are finely crafted and excellently played, and it is nuanced and subtle in production’. - Viewed From The Peaks
‘The magnificent, ten minute operetta, ‘Beyond The Stars’ closes the album like it knows it’s the jewel in a pretty impressive crown’, ‘For sure DBA are a class act’. - Get Ready To Rock
‘Bravo to DBA for creating uplifting and engaging music in the 21st century’. - Sonic Perspectives
‘Goodbye To You (Sister Shame), co-written with XTC’s Andy Partridge, could have come from one of Paul McCartney’s later solo albums’.
- Louder
‘This is a uniformly excellent set of pop-prog songs. Majestic, intimate, and altogether pleasing to the ear’. - Spirit of Cecilia
‘very accessible and catchy, ‘from the contemporary poetry, to the characteristic, luminous and worked vocals of Chris Braide , through the elegant keyboards of Geoff Downes’ - Amarok magazine
‘What new delights will 5th album “Celestial Songs” hold? A plenty’ - Odayrox
‘Heart Shaped Hole and Dear Petra exemplify the outstanding beauty of this album’ - Fireworks magazine
‘This is a journey that you need to experience for yourself through this excellent sounding and sublime album’ - Progradar
SKYSCRAPER SOULS
‘Hauntingly beautiful’, ‘Sit back and simply allow it’s contents to work their magic’ - Classic Rock Mag
‘The writing is superb, the performances are excellent and the production really creates a great sense of scale’,
‘Resoundingly fine album’ - Andy Snipper - Music News
‘Outstanding album’, ‘Exquisite songs’, ‘Irrefutable musicianship’ - Dave Compton - Fireworks
‘Mind blowing’, ‘ Masterpiece’, ‘A work of genius’ - Classic Rock Radio
‘Darker Times, it’s my favorite on the album. I feel quite tearful when i hear it, which is a great sign’ - Andy Partridge - Huffington Post
‘An all star cast - from XTC to B52’s -‘Reach for the prog pop skies’ - Team Rock
‘Skyscraper Souls is the work of two masterclass musical artists and it’s a stunner” - Patrick McAfee - DPRP - 10 out of 10
‘Brilliantly combining their pop skills’ - Prog Report
‘Melodically soars as high as it’s title suggests’ - Fabrications HQ
‘Cinematic’, ‘Epic’, ‘Richly textured and well orchestrated’ - Cryptic Rock
‘Emotional’, ‘Most enjoyable’ - Keys and Chords
‘Peerless production’ - Yes Music podcast
‘Title track is an 18 minute masterpiece’ - Classic Rock Revisited
‘Pop, prog and rock melded together in one wonderful album’ - Get Ready To Rock
‘Stands alongside anything Downes has achieved since Buggles’ - Hugh Felder - Classic Rock Mag - 8/10
ALBUM OF THE MONTH - Get Ready To Rock
‘Magnificent album’, ‘Consistently excellent’ - The Progressive Aspect
