Sylvian Discography of CDs

Sylvian songs Dedicated to the memory of Edie Fripp and the birth of Ameera-Daya Sylvian. Three mixes with help from Trey Gunn, the Future Sounds Of ...

Sylvian discography Damage is derived from the closing shows of the 1993 Road to Graceland tour, which heralded the collaborative reunion of King Crimson's Robert Fripp (guitar) with David Sylvian (guitar/keyboards/vocals), the former leader of Japan. This hour-plus set finds Sylvian in tremendous voice and Fripp sonically enveloping spaces and respecting silences in a bout of well-manicured fretwork. The pair is augmented by soon-to-be Krim members Pat Mastelotto (drums) and Trey Gunn (Chapman stick/vocals) as well as former Martha & the Muffins axeman Michael Brook (guitar). The contrast in styles from Fripp's ethereal Soundscapes and edgy guitar inflections to Sylvian's smoother and refined demeanor is reminiscent of Brian Eno's early collaborations with Roxy Music. The fact that both know how to manipulate the spaces between the notes unites them further. Damage is full of those moments; so many, in fact, it is amazing that Fripp and Sylvian do not make the time to work together more often. "Firepower" contains a premier example of exactly how each craftsman is able to compliment the other. Fripp's extended solos at the end of the piece are definitive and singularly his own, yet the context in which he approaches his role as soloist yields an overwhelmingly palpable symbiosis between music and musician(s). Likewise, listeners who consider Fripp a calculated and overtly technical guitarist might be shocked by his cerebrally funky additions to tracks such as "God's Monkey" and "20th Century Dreaming (A Shaman's Song)." The syncopated nature of the melodies allows for a great deal of interplay and collaboration between Gunn and Mastelotto -- a trait they'd further incorporate into the mid-'90s version of King Crimson. ~ Lindsay Planer An astounding 1960 seldom heard performance by the Miles Davis/John Coltrane quintet! It presents one of the few 1960 recordings by the legendary formation in its only European tour, before Coltrane's departure to form his own band. The bonus track comes from a rare radio broadcast and presents an incredible extended version of Miles's tune "Milestones" featuring tenor saxophonist George Coleman, pianist Herbie Hancock, bassist Ron Carter & drummer Tony Williams. Recorded live in December 1993. Personnel: David Sylvian (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Robert Fripp (guitar); Trey Gunn (vocals, Chapman stick); Michael Brook (electric guitar); Pat Mastelotto (drums). Audio Mixer: David Sylvian. Recording information: London, England (12/1993). Personnel: David Sylvian (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Trey Gunn (vocals, Chapman stick); Robert Fripp, Michael Brook (guitar); Pat Mastelotto (drums).

Sylvian CD discography The pooling of Sylvian's silken vocals--not to mention his multi-instrumental talents--with the fiery dexterity of Fripp gave all indications of a marriage made in progressive heaven. THE FIRST DAY takes some time to gel, but it's worth the wait. Fripp lays down some of his most scorching licks in ages, running through a broad synopsis of his guitar phrasings--burning RED-era blast-offs, contrapuntal DISCIPLINE-era inclinations, and stormy tides of distortion, tension, and release--sometimes all in the space of a single track (witness the 17-minute progressive funk of "Darshan"). Furthermore, Sylvian and Fripp chose to cover a wide range of styles--from the aforementioned "Darshan" to intergalactic space music ("Bringing Down the Light") and aggressive, Rain Tree Crow-inspired exotic-pop ("God's Monkey"). Supporting the dynamics of the duo are drummer Jerry Marotta, doing his best Bruford imitation, filling vacant holes within the sonic perimeter and spinning out diametrically opposed time signatures at will; stick bassist Trey Gunn, providing a solid, if cushiony, bottom end; and synth programmer David Bottrill. THE FIRST DAY could very well take its place amongst Sylvian and Fripp's best work, and, like a fine wine, the album only improves ...