"Greetings
The release date for my latest album, Manafon is almost upon us. On this album I was fortunate enough to work with a terrific ensemble of musicians. Multiple ensembles to be more precise. The first session was held in Vienna in 2004 with, among others, members of the group Polwechsel, Christian Fennesz, and Keith Rowe in attendance. In 2006, while I was in Japan doing research for what was to become When Loud Weather Buffeted Naoshima, I recorded a session in Tokyo with a remarkable, and remarkably influential, quartet of Japanese musicians; Otomo Yoshihide, Sachiko M., Tetuzi Akiyama and Toshimaru Nakamura. In London, late 2007, a final one day session took place graced by the presence of Evan Parker, John Tilbury, Marcio Mattos and Christian Fennesz. I completed the album at Samadhisound studio in Nov 08.
Despite the span of time between one session and the next, the work in its entirety was completed quickly with a sense of urgency and immediacy in keeping with the spirit of the original sessions.
The resulting work, for all its differences in themes and tone, is a sister piece to the Blemish album.
After the album was completed I decided it might be of interest to create a companion film, documenting the backgrounds, opinions, and philosophies of those who took part in these, and later, recording sessions. An introduction to this remarkable group of individuals who've pursued the less trodden path where music and free improvisation are concerned. We commissioned film maker Phil Hopkins to direct and what we have as a result is a generous introduction to the artists in question. The film is entitled Amplified Gesture and will be available as part of a limited edition release."
David Sylvian Aug 09
