I rarely hear Sylvian or Japan discussed when talking about different musical influences and with so many diverse muscial tastes on the org, it's hard to believe nobody's into them.

Sylvian is absolutely brilliant. I, personally, rank him right up there with Prince and Bowie in terms of his innovation and style. This man has made some of the most texturally beautiful music ever recorded and Japan practically spearheaded New Wave. Anyone who's heard them is instantly drawn by Sylvian's vocals and Mick Karn's unique bass tone.

What's so interesting about Japan is their muscial evolution. The first album was very glam rock influenced and by the time 'Tin Drum' was released you would never have known you were listening to the same group.

Incidentally Sylvian is married to Ingrid Chavez (Aura in 'Graffiti Bridge').

Anybody feel me on this?

I dig Sylvian--particularly "Secrets of the Beehive", and "Gone to Earth". I seem to remember hearing that Sylvian has a new record that came out recently. Have you heard it?

Actually, it's not out yet. It's called 'Camphor' and it's due out in mid-June. He did release 'Dead Bees On A Cake' back in '99, and also 'Everything and Nothing' in 2000 which was a live double CD set. Those are the solo albums he's released since 'Secrets of the Beehive'.

He's done a couple of other collaborative albums in that time as well.

Good to see there are other who appreciate Sylvian's brilliance.

I checked out Tin Drum way back when. There are a lot of artists who list them as serious influence -Duran Duran was one of them (that's how I was turned onto Japan).

I didn't become an avid listener of their stuff but I was feelin' what I did hear.

Didn't know that Ingrid Chavez was married to David Sylvian though. Learn somethin' new every day!

It's funny you say that. Most people I know who are into Japan found out about them thru Duran Duran. I actually first heard them on MTV eons ago with the 'Visions of China' video.

It's been on ever since.