Date: Fri, 11 Dec 1998 16:46:42 -0500 From: Jeff Keibel Subject: Dead Bees On A Cake Thank you Tina for this info! Virgin Records' very own Cliff Richard When the top four single slots were occupied by Eighties artists with an average age of 40 a fortnight ago, nowhere was there more cause for relief that at Virgin. The reason is that this raised hopes for the comeback of Virgin's longest-signed act, 40-year-old David Sylvian, whose album, Dead Bees On A Cake, is to be released on February 2 next year - 12 years after his previous solo record and his first studio release since 1993's The First Day, the collaboration with Robert Fripp which charted at number 21. Declan Colgan, who A&Rs Sylvian independently for Virgin, says, "When I first got it I thought, 'gosh, I've waited so long - is it going to live up to expectations?' But it's a wonderful, wonderful album. "I don't know how radio will respond to an artist who is perceived as having been away for 12 years. But radio is broadening out now: you only have to look at those top four singles [by older artists]." Anticipation for a fourth solo album from the former Japan/Rain Tree Crow frontman intensified among fans - much to his frustration - following the recent emergence of a bootlegged four-track CD sampler. But Virgin hopes the album's contemporary sound will be sufficient to establish him in the minds of a younger audience. Engaging throughout, Dead Bees On A Cake melds the jazz and ambient influences present on his previous work, while tracks like the blues-based Midnight Sun take him into new territory. Arguably his most eclectic record to date, it will be preceded on January 18 by the single I Surrender, one of the most instantly commercial of its 14 tracks. "The sound of this is very mainstream. It's an album of songs," says Colgan, who has worked with Sylvian for more than 10 years. "You are never quite sure of what someone's standing is but I think David's influence is wider than what is perceived. Japan were such an important act and David's solo work has such integrity." Sylvian originally decided to make another solo album during his collaboration with Fripp but took time out to move to the US in 1992 and start a family. Recording began in January 1995 in the basement of long-time collaborator Ryuichi Sakamoto's house in New York. "We did three weeks together," recalls Sylvian, "but it wasn't gelling in the way it normally does. We did get a little bit done though." Sylvian kept the material and took it back to his home studio where it was "edited, re-edited and re-thought". Re-working the material would become a common theme and, as a result, it is largely performed, mixed and edited by Sylvian (the album is also the first he has self-produced). "I don't want to denigrate the work of the people who have contributed to the album because they have contributed such a lot. But I was looking for something very specific and if I didn't find it, or if I only got a performance in part, I had to re-work it and add to it myself," says Sylvian, who only delivered the final tapes to Virgin two months ago. "It's a very personal album though I hope it goes beyond the autobiographical." He attributes its Sixties R&B influence to the listening tastes of his wife Ingrid (who recorded for Paisley Park under the name Ingrid Chavez and sings on this record), but adds that the record's other musicians also contributed different influences. As well as Sakamoto, the album includes contributions from Sylvian's brother and former Japan/Rain Tree Crow member Steve Jansen (percussion), Talvin Singh (percussion), Black Grape's Jed Lynch (drums), Bill Frisell (guitar) and Kenny Wheeler (trumpet). Virgin's marketing campaign kicks off this month with online news bulletins targeting fans plus press and radio coverage. Further promotion embracing the broadsheets will take place around the release of the album with the final strand unfolding around the start of a world tour, planned for March. While the world might not have been waiting for a David Sylvian record, it might soon start thinking it has been. Written by Tracey Snell Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 11:09:06 +0000 From: David Thorpe Subject: David Sylvian The official UK release dates I have from Virgin (dated 19th Jan) are 1st March for the single and 15th March for the album. No scheduled date for the re-release for the <> so I suspect it will depend on sales of the new album. <> isn't much of a departure from his previous solo album, but it really does get under the skin and direct to the head. Great for rainy and windy days. Contributions from Ryuichi Sakamoto, Kenny Wheeler, Bill Frisell, Marc Ribot, Ingrid Chavez (his wife), and his "spiritual healer" too. Tracklisting is: 1. I Surrender 2. Dobro #1 3. Midnight Sun 4. Thalhiem 5. Godman 6. Alphabet Angel 7. Krishna Blue 8. The Shining of Things 9. Cafe Europe 10. Pollen Path 11. All of my Mother's Names 12. Wanderlust 13. Praise 14. Darkest Dreaming Total time: approx 70 mins Artwork and illustration by Russell Mills.