DAVID SYLVIAN Manafon (2009 UK 9-track CD album - While
2003's 'Blemish' startled long-time fans with its emotional rigour,
Sylvian has taken the next step with his first solo album in 6
years. During sessions in London, Vienna, and Tokyo, Sylvian
assembled the world's leading improvisers and innovators, artists
who explore free improvisation, space-specific performance, and
live electronics. From Evan Parker and Keith Rowe, to Fennesz
and members of Polwechsel, to Sachiko M and OtomoYoshihide,
the musicians provide both a backdrop and a counterweight to
his own vocal performances – which, minus one instrumental,
are nakedly the center of each piece. Intuition drew Sylvian to
these pieces and these players, and the surprises they bring: a
cello visiting like a warm hand on a forehead, the unpredictable
use of unadulterated sine waves, the brassy path of Evan
Parker's soprano sax solo. 'Manafon' has a forbidding core, but
aesthetically, each piece is an engrossing discovery. Within a
sealed fold-out digipak picture sleeve featuring exquisite artwork
from Ruud Van Empel and designed by Chris Bigg!)
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