JapanSylvian.com

Hi all,

Being a huge fan of both Sylvian and Sakamoto, I decided to record a cover of their first ever collaboration with my band Orwell. This "musique de chambre" version of "Taking Islands in Africa" was released as a bonus track of the special Japanese edition of our new album "Exposition universelle". I hope you will like it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrEubZ1SKmQ

www.orwellmusic.com

I certainly like it. That string-arrangement is a very good idea. Didn't notice this version on CDJapan though (Amazon.jp has very high shipping-costs), nor on your own site.

Thank you Quiet Visitor.
Actually the Japanese label decided to offer it as a bonus cd in the cd stores, this is why it is not really featured on the album.
I guess we will soon put this Japan cover on Bandcamp.
Best, Jérôme

Not a fan of cover versions, but I must admit I like this Jerome well done mate

Dougie

Thanks Dougie. I was a real pleasure to re arrange this song. J.

Very nice, I like it

beautiful version. may I say I might like it more than the original? bravo Jérôme!
could you tell a bit about how you arranged/orchestrated the strings? which software (if you did not use paper & pencil, of course) and so on..? I'd be greatly interested.

Thanks Kitaj, thanks Spanishspur,
I'm flattered by your reaction.
Actually I tried to write an arrangement for a string quartet but only the chorus is voiced for four instruments.
For the verse I only used the cello and I wrote a gimmick for two strings vaguely inspired by the original synths.
I rearranged a bit the bridge as well, and made a special vocal arrangement for the two last verses.
I worked in Logic audio. I initially simulated the strings before recording the real instruments.
I've loved this song since I'm a teen boy but I think the synth arrangement makes it an obvious 80's track.
I thought this new dress could make the song more uneasy to date.
I'm sincerely glad you liked it.
Jérôme

Hi Jérôme,

It's still a bit confusing when it comes to the Japanese CD-version:

- http://www.ultra-vybe.co.jp/post/RYECD224.html mentions the CD including the Japan-cover;
- http://rallye-label.com/?p=397 too,

but:

- http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/RYECD-224 doesn't include it.

All mention the same catalogue-number RYECD224.

Thanks b.t.w. for your insight on the arrangement!

Sorry Quiet Visitor I know it is a bit confusing.
As far as I know, the Japanese label only added a CDR (with Taking Islands...) in a few copies of the Japanese edition that you could only buy in the shops. This is why it is not on the official tracklisting.
We intend to release the Japan cover before summer on a digital EP featuring a remix of an Orwell song by a Japanese artist called Milk.
Thanks, Jérôme

Hi all,

The cover of TAKING ISLANDS IN AFRICA is finally available on digital format. Thanks, J.

https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B01LZQ5XVK/ref=ap_ws_tlw_alb2
https://itunes.apple.com/…/album/courbes-single/id1161351448
http://www.deezer.com/album/14198076
https://play.spotify.com/album/4hSZ2MWOqxqobMOYwhx7G1