David Sylvian – Alchemy: An Index Of Possibilities

 

David Sylvian (born David Alan Batt; 23 February 1958) is an English musician, singer and songwriter who came to prominence in the late 1970's as frontman and principal songwriter of the band Japan. The band's androgynous look and increasingly electronic sound made them an important influence on the UK's early-1980's New Romantic scene.

Following their break-up, Sylvian embarked on a solo career with his debut album Brilliant Trees (1984). His solo work has been described by AllMusic as "far-ranging and esoteric", and has included collaborations with artists such as Ryuichi Sakamoto, Robert Fripp, Holger Czukay, Jon Hassell, Bill Nelson and Fennesz.

While his recordings of the 1980's and 1990's were a mixture of pop, jazz fusion, and avant-garde experimentalism mixed with ambient, his more recent compositions have drawn increasingly on musical minimalism and free improvisation.

Alchemy: An Index Of Possibilities was released in 2006

1 Words With The Shaman: Part 1 Ancient Evening 5:15

2 Words With The Shaman: Part 2 Incantation 3:29

3 Words With The Shaman: Part 3 Awakening (Songs From The Treetops) 5:18

4 Preparations For A Journey 3:40

5 The Stigma Of Childhood (Kin) 8:30

6 A Brief Conversation Ending In Divorce 3:31

7 Steel Cathedrals 18:58

Alchemy: An Index of Possibilities

Penguin Cafe Orchestra....Broadcasting From Home

 

 

The Penguin Cafe Orchestra (PCO) was an avant-pop band led by English guitarist Simon Jeffes. Co-founded with cellist Helen Liebmann, it toured extensively during the 1980s and 1990s. The band's sound is not easily categorized, having elements of exuberant folk music and a minimalist aesthetic occasionally reminiscent of composers such as Philip Glass.

The group recorded and performed for 24 years until Jeffes died of an inoperable brain tumour in 1997. Several members of the original group reunited for three concerts in 2007. Since then, five original members have continued to play concerts of PCO's music, initially as The Anteaters, then as The Orchestra That Fell to Earth. In 2009, Jeffes' son Arthur founded a successor band simply called Penguin Cafe. 

Broadcasting From Home was released in 1984 and includes their most popular song "Music From A Found Harmonium".

 Broadcasting From Home

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