How Ryuichi Sakamoto Shaped the Sound of Modern Music: A Comprehensive Analysis of His Discography (1978-2012)
Ryuichi Sakamoto: A Musical Genius and His Legacy. Exploring His Discography from 1978 to 2012
Ryuichi Sakamoto is one of the most influential and versatile musicians of our time. He has been creating innovative and diverse music for over four decades, spanning genres such as electronic, ambient, world, classical, pop, rock, jazz, and soundtrack. He has also collaborated with many artists from different fields and cultures, such as David Bowie, Iggy Pop, Brian Wilson, Youssou N'Dour, Caetano Veloso, Alva Noto, Fennesz, and many more. He has also composed music for films by directors such as Bernardo Bertolucci, Pedro Almodóvar, Nagisa Oshima, Brian De Palma, and Alejandro González Iñárritu.
Ryuichi Sakamoto Discography 19782012
In this article, we will explore Ryuichi Sakamoto's discography from 1978 to 2012, covering his solo studio albums, collaboration albums, remix albums, live albums, compilation albums, EPs and singles, and soundtracks. We will also highlight some of his most notable works and achievements in each period of his career.
1978-1980: The Beginning of a Solo Career
Ryuichi Sakamoto started his solo career in 1978 with the album Thousand Knives, which was inspired by the writings of Yukio Mishima and featured experimental electronic music with elements of synth-pop, rock, and classical. The album was also notable for being one of the first to use the Roland MC-8 Microcomposer, a programmable sequencer that allowed complex polyphonic arrangements. The title track was later re-recorded by Sakamoto's band Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO), which he formed with Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi in 1978.
YMO was a pioneering group that introduced electronic music to the mainstream audience in Japan and abroad. They combined synthesizers with traditional Japanese instruments and influences from various genres such as disco, new wave, techno-pop, and exotica. They also incorporated humor and satire into their lyrics and visuals. Some of their most famous songs include "Firecracker", "Technopolis", "Rydeen", "Behind the Mask", and "Computer Game". YMO released six studio albums between 1978 and 1983, all of which reached the top ten on the Japanese charts.
While being a member of YMO, Sakamoto also continued his solo work. In 1980, he released B-2 Unit, which was more experimental and avant-garde than his previous album. It featured tracks such as "Differencia", which used samples of speech and noise; "Thatness and Thereness", which used a vocoder to create robotic vocals; and "Riot in Lagos", which is considered one of the earliest examples of electro music. The album was well received by critics and influenced many artists such as Afrika Bambaataa, who sampled "Riot in Lagos" for his hit "Planet Rock".
1981-1986: Expanding Horizons
In 1981, Sakamoto released Left-Handed Dream, which was more melodic and accessible than his previous albums. It featured guest appearances by Robin Scott (of M), Adrian Belew (of King Crimson), and Roger Powell (of Utopia). The album included songs such as "Relâché", which was a tribute to Erik Satie; "Slat Dance", which was inspired by Balinese gamelan music; and "Venezia", which was a romantic ballad sung in Italian. The album also contained the hit single "The Arrangement", which was a duet with Robin Scott.
In 1983, Sakamoto composed his first film score for Nagisa Oshima's Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence, which starred David Bowie as a British prisoner of war in a Japanese camp during World War II. Sakamoto also played the role of Captain Yonoi, the camp commander who develops a fascination with Bowie's character. The score blended orchestral music with electronic sounds and featured the theme song "Forbidden Colours", which was sung by David Sylvian (of Japan) and became a worldwide hit. The score won Sakamoto a BAFTA Award for Best Film Music.
In 1984, Sakamoto released Ongaku Zukan (Illustrated Musical Encyclopedia), which was his most eclectic and ambitious album to date. It showcased his wide range of musical influences and styles, from classical to pop to world music. It included tracks such as "Field Work", which was a collaboration with Thomas Dolby; "Steppin' into Asia", which featured vocals by Akiko Yano and rap by Bill Laswell; "Parolibre", which was a spoken word piece by Nam June Paik; and "Replica", which was a tribute to Steve Reich's minimalism.
In 1985, Sakamoto composed music for a dance performance by Dumb Type called Esperanto. The music was based on the concept of a universal language that transcends cultural barriers. It used samples of voices from various languages and mixed them with electronic beats and ambient sounds. The music was later released as an album in 1985.
In 1986, Sakamoto released Futurista, which was influenced by the Italian futurist movement of the early 20th century. The album featured tracks such as "Ballet Mécanique", which used samples of machinery noises; "Tibetan Dance", which used Tibetan chants and bells; "Daikoukai", which used sounds of waves and seagulls; and "G.T.", which used sounds of cars and motorcycles.
1987-1991: Crossing Borders
In 1987,
1987-1991: Crossing Borders
In 1987, Sakamoto released Neo Geo, which was a fusion of electronic music and world music. The album featured collaborations with artists such as Bill Laswell, Bootsy Collins, Sly Dunbar, Robbie Shakespeare, and Youssou N'Dour. The album included tracks such as "Before Long", which was a tribute to John Cage; "Risky", which was a duet with Iggy Pop; "Okinawa Song", which used Okinawan folk music; and "After All", which used African rhythms and vocals.
In 1987, Sakamoto also composed the score for Bernardo Bertolucci's The Last Emperor, which was a biopic of Pu Yi, the last emperor of China. The score blended Chinese traditional music with orchestral music and featured contributions by David Byrne and Cong Su. The score won Sakamoto an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Grammy Award.
In 1989, Sakamoto released Beauty, which was his most pop-oriented album to date. It featured guest appearances by Brian Wilson, Jill Jones, Arto Lindsay, Robbie Robertson, and others. The album included songs such as "You Do Me", which was a funk song with rap by female MCs; "We Love You", which was a cover of The Rolling Stones song; "Amore", which was a bossa nova song sung in Portuguese; and "Asadoya Yunta", which was another Okinawan folk song.
In 1990, Sakamoto composed the score for Volker Schlöndorff's The Handmaid's Tale, which was based on the dystopian novel by Margaret Atwood. The score used synthesizers and strings to create a dark and oppressive atmosphere. The score also featured the song "Chorale", which was sung by Victoria Jordanova.
In 1990, Sakamoto also composed the score for Bertolucci's The Sheltering Sky, which was based on the novel by Paul Bowles. The score used ethnic instruments and ambient sounds to evoke the exotic landscapes of North Africa. The score also featured the song "The Sheltering Sky Theme", which was performed by King Crimson.
1991-1996: Experimenting with New Sounds
In 1991, Sakamoto released Heartbeat, which was a collaboration with French producer Jean-Philippe Rykiel. The album featured tracks such as "Heartbeat (Tainai Kaiki II)", which was a remake of his song from Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence with vocals by David Sylvian; "High Tide", which was a rock song with guitar by David Torn; "Nuages", which was an ambient piece with piano by Sakamoto; and "Sayonara", which was a farewell song sung in Japanese.
In 1991, Sakamoto also composed the score for Pedro Almodóvar's High Heels, which was a comedy-drama about a mother-daughter relationship. The score used jazz and pop elements to create a playful and colorful mood. The score also featured the song "Piensa en Mi", which was sung by Luz Casal.
In 1992, Sakamoto composed the score for Bertolucci's Little Buddha, which was a story about the reincarnation of Buddha. The score used Tibetan chants, Indian instruments, and orchestral music to create a spiritual and mystical atmosphere. The score also featured the song "Acceptance End Credits", which was performed by Richard Horowitz and Sussan Deyhim.
In 1994, Sakamoto released Sweet Revenge, which was his most dance-oriented album to date. It featured collaborations with artists such as Roddy Frame (of Aztec Camera), Dee Dee Brave, Marco Prince (of FFF), Arto Lindsay, Ingrid Chavez, and others. The album included tracks such as "Sheltering Sky", which was a remix of his theme from the film; "Moving On", which was a house song with vocals by Dee Dee Brave; "Psychedelic Afternoon", which was a trip-hop song with vocals by Roddy Frame; and "Sweet Revenge", which was a techno-pop song with vocals by Marco Prince.
In 1995, Sakamoto released Smoochy, which was an ambient album inspired by his daughter Miu. The album featured tracks such as "Bibo No Aozora", which was a piano piece dedicated to his father; "Grasshoppers", which used sounds of insects and birds; "Lulu", which used samples of his daughter's voice; and "1919", which used samples of speeches by Mahatma Gandhi.
In 1996,
1996-2002: Exploring Ambient and Minimalist Music
In 1996, Sakamoto released 1996, which was a collection of solo piano pieces that he composed and performed between 1980 and 1996. The album featured tracks such as "Energy Flow", which was a soothing melody that became a hit in Japan; "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence", which was a reworking of his theme from the film; "Tango", which was a tribute to Astor Piazzolla; and "1919", which was a reprise of his track from Smoochy.
In 1997, Sakamoto composed Discord, which was a symphonic work that expressed his opposition to war and violence. The work consisted of four movements: "Grief", "Anger", "Prayer", and "Salvation". The work was performed by Sakamoto on piano and keyboards, David Sylvian on vocals, Jaques Morelenbaum on cello, and various orchestras and choirs around the world. The work was also released as an album in 1997.
In 1998, Sakamoto composed the score for Brian De Palma's Snake Eyes, which was a thriller starring Nicolas Cage and Gary Sinise. The score used electronic and orchestral music to create a tense and suspenseful mood. The score also featured the song "Snake Eyes", which was performed by Ryuichi Sakamoto and David Sylvian.
In 1998, Sakamoto also composed the score for John Maybury's Love Is the Devil, which was a biopic of the British painter Francis Bacon. The score used ambient and experimental music to reflect the dark and twisted nature of Bacon's life and art. The score also featured the song "Love Is the Devil", which was performed by Ryuichi Sakamoto and David Sylvian.
In 1998, Sakamoto also released BTTB (Back to the Basics), which was another album of solo piano pieces. The album featured tracks such as "Put Your Hands Up", which was a playful tune that became popular as a ringtone; "Sonatine", which was a classical piece that was used in the film Babel; "Rain", which was a melancholic melody that was used in the film Collateral; and "Energy Flow", which was a reprise of his track from 1996.
2002-2009: Collaborating with Electronic Artists
In 2002, Sakamoto released two albums: Comica and Elephantism. Comica was an album of comic songs that he composed for various TV shows and commercials. The album featured tracks such as "Undercooled", which was a collaboration with MC Sniper; "War & Peace", which was a collaboration with Sly & Robbie; "The Other Side of Love", which was a collaboration with Yukihiro Takahashi; and "World Citizen - I Won't Be Disappointed/Looped Piano", which was a collaboration with David Sylvian. Elephantism was an album of ambient music that he composed for an installation by Chen Shi-Zheng. The album featured tracks such as "Elephantism #1-#5", which used sounds of elephants and other animals.
In 2002, Sakamoto also composed the score for Brian De Palma's Femme Fatale, which was a neo-noir film starring Rebecca Romijn-Stamos and Antonio Banderas. The score used electronic and orchestral music to create a seductive and mysterious mood. The score also featured the song "Bolerish", which was a remix of Maurice Ravel's Bolero.
In 2002, Sakamoto also began his collaboration with German electronic artist Carsten Nicolai (aka Alva Noto). They released their first album together, Vrioon, which was an experimental fusion of piano and glitch music. They followed with more albums such as Insen (2005), Revep (2006), Summvs (2011), and Glass (2018). They also composed music for films such as The Revenant (2015) and The Staggering Girl (2019).
In 2004, Sakamoto released Chasm, which was an album of electronic music that reflected his political and social views. The album featured tracks such as "Undercooled", which was a reworking of his track from Comica with vocals by Skye Edwards (of Morcheeba); "World Citizen - Re-Cycled", which was another collaboration with David Sylvian; "Seven Samurai - Ending Theme", which was a tribute to Akira Kurosawa's film; and "Ngo/Bitmix", which was a collaboration with Ngozi Onwurah.
In 2005, Sakamoto released /05, which was an album of live recordings from his world tour in 2004-2005. The album featured tracks such as "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence", "Rain", "The Last Emperor", "Tibetan Dance", and others.
In 2009,
Conclusion
Ryuichi Sakamoto is a musical legend who has left an indelible mark on the history of music. His discography from 1978 to 2012 showcases his incredible talent, creativity, and versatility as a composer, performer, and collaborator. He has explored various genres and styles, from electronic to classical to world music, and has created some of the most memorable and influential songs and soundtracks of our time. He has also used his music as a way of expressing his views and values, and as a means of connecting with people and cultures around the world. He is a true artist who has enriched our lives with his music. b99f773239