FORGET Tom Jones - David Sylvian has 'the voice' - and its rare sound can be heard in Bristol next month.

Former Japan man Sylvian will be opening his topically titled Fire in the Forest tour, his first of 2003, in the Colston Hall.

It's one of only three UK dates, the others being Bridgewater Hall in Manchester and London's Royal Festival Hall.

His latest album, Blemish was released this summer to great critical acclaim and the singer is also set to re-release both solo and Japan albums, again.

Sylvian, who was christened David Batt, made his name as the ultra-androgynous front-man of Japan in the late 70s/early 80s. He split that band in 1982, unable to cope with the pressures of fame, for a solo career which continues to prosper today.

Naturally drawn to collaborations with pioneers such as Can's Holger Czukay, Robert Fripp and Brian Eno, he's managed to create some accessible yet highly innovative pop music.

His dour, sonorous voice is unmistakable as is his individual sense of passion and regret.

However, on Blemish it's his sense of avant-garde that is recognisable through his use of noise making machines and personal angst.

It starts with a 13-minute howl of despair which makes way for shockingly honest songs and oddly affecting atmospherics.

Into the mix are thrown a few singles, including Fire in the Forest, which has Christian Fennesz on vocals singing over the caustic electronica. Not sure it'll make the top 40 but this rare date outside London for the singer should be in your top ten gigs this year.

An Evening with David Sylvian is at the Colston Hall, Bristol, on Tuesday, September 23. Doors open 7pm. Tickets are £22.50. For more information dial 0117 922 3682 / 3683 / 3686 or surf to www.colstonhall.org.