December 1989 saw an exclusive Virgin release - a remarkably beautiful 5CD box set summing up Sylvian's solo career to date. This breathtaking masterpiece, limited strictly to 30.000 copies included "Brilliant Trees", "Gone To Earth", "Secrets Of The Beehive" and "Alchemy - An Index Of Possibilities", the latter available for the first time on CD (extended to include "A Brief Conversation Ending In Divorce" which could previously be found only an a "Pop Song" single B-side) plus "The Stigma Of Childhood (Kin)" - music composed for a ballet performance directed by Gaby Agis. The person entirely responsible for "Weatherbox" in terms of its luxurious design is Russell Mills - an artist associated with Sylvian since late Japan days (one of Russell's paintings adorned Japan's retrospective compilation "Exorcising Ghosts"). His works seem to compliment the nature and mood of Sylvian's music perfectly. He is, among others, the designer of the sleeve for "Gone To Earth" and also the noteworthy programme for In Praise Of Shamans tour. In case of "Weatherbox" Mills opted for integrity and organic feel, redesigning the cover for each album and branding them with one of the alchemic symbols for Earth, Water, Tree, Stone and Light. "Weatherbox" to this day remains one of the most desired rarities in Sylvian's catalogue and despite frequent appearances on eBay or in collectors' shops, it is still quite expensive. Especially sought after is the Japanese release of "Weatherbox" boasting a beautiful additional booklet also designed by Mills. [  back to the top