This iconic album from the 1980's could be considered cheesey by many. But I adore these smooth electronic sounds from the post-ska-revival days when it was actually desirable for a man to look effeminate, in fact it was the only sure way to pick up a girl. This must be Japan's masterwork and the album delivers sinuous melodies that are dominated throughout by a gloriously expressive fretless bass and consistently inventive percussion. David Sylvian has a china-like vulnerability but his voice has deep and soft harmonics, he spreads his voice over these songs like a chef pours chocolate over the richest of deserts.
There are three stand-out tracks on the album, "Ghosts" was the single and is a tortured and lumbering outpouring of a lover's loss. Contracting with this are the signature sounds of "Canton", a completely irrepressible Japanese-styled instrumental and the heavily bass-grooved "Visions of China".
You will not have anything else like this in your record collection... superb!
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