David Alan Batt - Born 23 February 1958 (Beckenham, England)
It is difficult to describe David SYLVIAN's music. It is ambient, dark, although not heavy with sombre vocal and very experimental playing. David SYLVIAN was born as David Batt in Kent, England on February 23, 1958. In 1974 he formed JAPAN, initially a glam rock band, which eventually evolved into a stylish synth-pop group. After a quite successful career, Japan was dissolved in 1982. SYLVIAN's first solo album "Brilliant Trees" was released in 1984 featuring besides others Richard Barbieri (ex-Japan) and Holger Czukay (ex-CAN). "Brilliant Trees" is a very atmospheric record, mixing funk, jazz, and ambient in beautiful although eclectic music.
David SYLVIAN's next solo album was "Gone to Earth" with Robert Fripp, Mel Collins and SYLVIAN's ex-Japan colleagues Barbieri and Steve Janson. Although brilliant like his previous record, it was less accessible thus got less favourable response from critics. In 1987 SYLVIAN released his most successful and critically acclaimed album "Secrets of the Beehive". A fine and gentle record made with the help of Ryuichi Sakamoto with beautiful songs and elegant arrangements.
After three solo records, David SYLVIAN undertook a number of collaborations with other musicians. In 1988-89 he released two albums with Holger Czukay. In 1993 saw "The First Day", one of the greatest prog records with Robert Fripp, which was followed by a live version "Damage", which also featured Trey Gunn and Pat Mastelotto, would-be members of KING CRIMSON. The superb "Dead Bees on a Cake" followed in 1999; "Approaching Silence", a collection of instrumental material, appeared later that fall. In fall 2000 SYLVIAN returned with the double-disc "Everything & Nothing", which made for an excellent introduction to some of SYLVIAN's projects.
In 2003 David SYLVIAN released "Blemish", a minimalist records, where he plays with Derek Bailey and Christian Fennesz.