JAPAN GENTLEMEN TAKE POLAROIDS (HALF SPEED MASTER)

Japan: David Sylvian (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Rob Dean (guitar); Richard Barbieri (keyboards); Mick Karn (saxophone, bass); Steve Jansen (drums). Engineers include: Nigel Walker, Colin Fairley, Steve Prestage.Recorded at Air Studios and The Townhouse Studios, London, England.All tracks have been digitally remastered.Japan's fourth album is a study in serious mood development, made even more so with the inclusion of the instrumental B-side, "The Experience of Swimming." Japan's subtle mixture of spidery guitars, lush saxophones, and elastic bass is fleshed out with David's Sylvian's effortless vocals and some truly classy synthesizer work that, somehow, doesn't seem to have dated. Mick Karn pulls double duty with the sax and bass and, as usual, his work is what grounds the band--for proof, see "My New Career" or "Taking Islands in Africa."Among the standout tracks, "Burning Bridges" borrows more than a few notions from the collaborations between David Bowie and Brian Eno