ALCHEMY - AN INDEX OF POSSIBILITIES

This is good collection of ambient instrumentals recorded with the band that took part in "Brilliant Trees", Sylvian's phenomenal debut. A notable addition to this release is Robert Fripp and his Frippertronics, who would contribute on later Sylvian's albums as well. This is nice and atmospheric ambient music, sometimes containing tribal percussions and chants as in "Words With Shaman", sometimes presenting David's version od electronic "space music" as in "Steel Cathedrals". Fripp's signature guitar effects and Hassell's trumpet add some jazzy feel. Since probaly the best part of "Alchemy", the tri-partite "Words With Shaman" is included on some remastered versions of "Brilliant Trees", this album may be redundant if you are not a particular fan of David's. If you like Frippertronics or Peter Gabriel solo albums "4th", "Birdy" or "Passion", you are well advised to listen to this release. Although basically a collector's edition, due to nice, spontaneous and ambitionless (in a positive meaning!) performance I would rate it ***.