Alchemy: An Index of Possibilities

Released in December 1985 as a limited-edition cassette, Alchemy: An Index of Possibilities represents David Sylvian's first fully instrumental solo venture. The release served as a creative bridge between his landmark solo albums Brilliant Trees and Gone to Earth. The project originated from a 1984 documentary commission that Sylvian accepted due to financial constraints, which he expanded into a multimedia exploration of sound and imagery. The centerpiece of the album, 'Steel Cathedrals', was born from a 48-hour improvisational session with Ryuichi Sakamoto in Tokyo, set to footage of industrial buildings. Upon returning to London, Sylvian reworked the piece and composed the 'Words With The Shaman' suite to provide Virgin Records with enough material for a substantial release. The album features notable contributions from Jon Hassell, whose trumpet work infuses the record with a distinct 'Fourth World' jazz fusion quality, alongside Steve Jansen's intricate percussion and Holger Czukay's experimental treatments.