May 1, 2023
If you follow Wikipedia’s description, Ryuichi Sakamoto was merely a Japanese composer, pianist, producer and actor. For many, Ryuichi Sakamoto was above all a musical genius whose work lasted almost half a century and sadly came to an end on 28 March 2023 at the age of 71 when he died of cancer.
It is hard to believe how extensive and multi-faceted the Japanese artist’s musical spectrum is. Beginning as a member of the Yellow Magic Orchestra, one does not do justice to the ensemble by describing it as the “Japanese Kraftwerk”. Later, Sakamoto released dozens of influential solo albums that anticipated techno and gave new impetus to classical music. In addition, Sakamoto was successful as a composer in Hollywood, whose best-known works certainly include the soundtracks to “The Last Emperor”, “The Revenant” and “Merry Christmas M. Lawrence”. And hey: Rysuichi Sakamoto is also the man from the video of Madonna’s “Rain”. 😉
In the new edition of Better Days Radio, Paul aka The Conservative devotes a special to Ryuichi Sakamoto. The focus is on his solo work and spans the entire spectrum of his work between piano composition, neo-classical, ambient, synthpop and proto-techno. Rest in peace Sakamaoto-san.
Ryuichi Sakamoto – Dawn (from Comica, 2002)
Ryuichi Sakamoto – Henkaku No Seiki (Rhodes Version) (from Henkaku No Seiki, 2002)
Ryuichi Sakamoto – 20220302 – sarabande (from 12, 2023)
Ryuichi Sakamoto – Bibo no Aozora (from Three, 2012)
Ryuichi Sakamoto – Before Long (from Neo Geo, 1987)
Ryuichi Sakamoto – Song Lines (from Heartbeat, 1992)
Ryuichi Sakamoto – Manatsu No Yo No Ana (from Smoochy, 1995)
Ryuichi Sakamoto – Mystical Journey (from Peachboy, 1991)
Ryuichi Sakamoto – Japan (from Coda, 1988)
Ryuichi Sakamoto – Sakana Tsuri (from The Adventures of Chatran, 1986)
Ryuichi Sakamoto – Grasshoppers (from The End Of Asia, 1981)
Ryuichi Sakamoto – Plastic Bamboo (From Thousand Knives Of Ryuichi Sakamoto, 1978)
Ryuichi Sakamoto – Romance (From Beauty, 1989)
Ryuichi Sakamoto – In a Forest of Feathers (from Illustrated Musical Encyclopedia, 1984)
Ryuichi Sakamoto – A Wongga Dance Song (from Esperanto, 1985)
Ryuichi Sakamoto – Laserman (from Black Rain OST, 1989)
Ryuichi Sakamoto – Neuronian Network (from Summer Nerves, 1979)
Ryuichi Sakamoto – Daikoukai (from Futurista, 1986)
Ryuichi Sakamoto – Bamboo Houses (12inch, 1982)
Ryuichi Sakamoto – Ao Penki No Naka No Boku No Namida (from Life in Japan, 1983)
Ryuichi Sakamoto – Venezia (from Left Handed Dream, 1981)
Ryuichi Sakamoto – Tong Poo (from BTTB, 1999)
Ryuichi Sakamoto – stakra (from async, 2017)
Ryuichi Sakamoto – Participation Mystique (from B-2 Unit, 1980)
Ryuichi Sakamoto – Break With (from Chasm, 2004)
Ryuichi Sakamoto – Water’s Edge (from Sweet Revenge, 1994)
Ryuichi Sakamoto – World Citizen – I Won’t Be Disappointed [looped piano] (from Chasm, 2004)
