More information on this release can be found at samadhisound.com.
More information on this release, and audio samples can be found at samadhisound.com. Further reading at ninehorses.com
More information on this release, and audio samples can be found at samadhisound.com. Further reading at ninehorses.com
More information on this release, and audio samples can be found here.
David Sylvian's 2003 solo album, his first since Dead Bees On a Cake. It was the debut release for his own Samadhi Sound label. David set aside a month to write and record the album while taking a break from the project that he and his brother, Steve Jansen, are currently working on. He has created an impromptu suite of songs for guitar, electronics and voice. The compositions were crafted from improvisational sessions captured live in the studio. Working almost entirely alone David has created an emotionally raw, minimal work, of immediacy and stark beauty. Although there are elements in his previous body of work that hint at the direction taken here the CD, entitled simply 'Blemish', appears to cover new ground in style, content, intensity of emotion, and in the seemly open ended nature of the compositions themselves. Adding to the intensity and air of experimentation is the presence of Derek Bailey. Three of the pieces included on 'Blemish' were written with, and feature, the legendary free-jazz guitarist. The final track of the CD features a haunting electronic arrangement by Christian Fennesz.
The album was recorded in the month of February 03 and mixed in March 03. All aspects of the recording were handled by David himself. More information on this release, and audio samples can be found here
A predominately instrumental compilation album, a companion piece to 'Everything And Nothing', this release also featured a number of remixes and previously unreleased material. The original 2002 limited edition release also included a remix of the 'Plight and Premonition' CD.
Recorded on the "Road to Graceland '93" tour at London's Albert Hall. This followed the release of the album The First Day and is considered by many to be superior to its studio counterpart. Originally mixed by Robert Fripp and released in September 1994 it was remixed by David in 2000 and released the following year. The band features Trey Gunn and Michael Brook.
David's approach to the proposition of a compilation album spanning some 20 odd years with Virgin Records was to create an overview of the multiple directions in which his work had taken him during that period. Focusing entirely on vocal compositions this double album also included a wealth of previously unreleased material ('The Scent of Magnolia', 'Ride', 'Cover Me With Flowers' among others) along with a number of remixes. A wonderful starting point for newcomers to David's work. The album was released in October 2000.
This album contains three compositions (two of them long form) created exclusively for two independent gallery installations. Two pieces,'The Beekeepers Apprentice' and 'Epiphany' originally accompanied the 'Ember Glance' installation, a multi media work made in collaboration with the artists Russell Mills and Ian Walton, and exhibited in Tokyo, September 1990. 'Approaching Silence' accompanied the multi media work 'Redemption' installed at the P3 Gallery, Tokyo 1994. The CD was compiled and released in 1999.
While continuing collaborations with artists such as Kenny Wheeler, Bill Frisell, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and Steve Jansen, the album also features contributions from guitarist Marc Ribot and tabla player Talvin Singh. Recorded in many locations on both sides of the Atlantic, produced by David, and documenting an eventful and transformative period in his life, the work is openly celebratory in nature. It was released in March 1999.
Recorded on the "Road to Graceland '93" tour at London's Albert Hall. This followed the release of the album The First Day and is considered by many to be superior to its studio counterpart. Originally mixed by Robert Fripp and released in September 1994 it was remixed by David in 2000 and released the following year. The band features Trey Gunn and Michael Brook.
David and Robert Fripp came together in 1992 to further explore the collaboration started on the Gone to Earth sessions. Recorded in New York and New Orleans, produced by David with engineer David Bottrill, the album features a core group of musicians with Trey Gunn on Chapman Stick, Jerry Marotta on drums, and Marc Anderson on percussion. The First Day was released in July 1993.
Having introduced improvisation into aspects of his writing with compositions such as 'Steel Cathedrals' and the two albums recorded with Holger Czukay, David pursued this approach further with the original line up of the group Japan under the name Rain Tree Crow. A mix of vocal and instrumental work this album remains David's personal favourite of all the material created with these musicians. Recorded in various locations throughout Europe in 1999 the CD was released in April 1991.
David returned to Can Studio, Koln in 1989 to record a companion piece to 'Plight and Premonition'. Once again, the album consists of two long form, drone-based compositions, and features contributions from Marcus Stockhausen, Jaki Liebezeit, and Micheal Karoli.
On Holger's invitation David spent a few nights working in Can studio with the legendary bass player which saw the production of this evocative album. Two long form, drone-based, instrumental compositions, this album has remained a firm favourite of David's. Originally released in March 1988 David produced a remix of the entire album as a bonus CD with the instrumental compilation 'Camphor'.
Released in October 1987. A predominantly acoustic recording it features Danny Thompson, Phil Palmer, Mark Isham, David Torn and Steve Jansen, together with orchestral arrangements by Ryuichi Sakamoto. Recorded at Studio Miraval in the south of France, and produced by Steve Nye, the album contains some of David's most personal songs to date and remains a firm favourite among many of his listeners.
Released in September 1986. It was recorded in part at The Manor Studios in Oxfordshire, England, with producer Steve Nye. The double album, containing seven vocal tracks and ten instrumental pieces, intermingles the personal with the themes of gnosticism and alchemy, and features contributions from guitarists Bill Nelson and Robert Fripp, alongside Steve Jansen and Kenny Wheeler.
Recorded in Tokyo and London 1984-85 this project saw David exploring themes and directions that first surfaced on the Brilliant Trees sessions. Entirely instrumental, it features a diverse range of talent including Jon Hassell, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Steve Jansen, Kenny Wheeler, Holger Czukay, and Robert Fripp among others.
Recorded in late 1983 at Hansa tone Studios in Berlin with producer Steve Nye. A recording of considerable significance in David's output instigating as it does new working methods and a level of inquiry that radically broadened the emotional range and scope of his work. The cast of collaborators includes Ryuichi Sakamoto, Holger Czukay, Jon Hassell and Kenny Wheeler. Critically celebrated on its release Brilliant Trees went straight into the UK chart at number 4.
Click here for the David Sylvian Discography index.
