Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO) is a pioneering electronic music band that emerged from Japan in the late 1970s. The band was formed by three talented musicians: Haruomi Hosono, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and Yukihiro Takahashi. Each member brought their unique musical backgrounds and skills to create a distinct sound that blended synth-pop, new wave, and disco elements. Haruomi Hosono, the band's bassist and vocalist, was already an established musician in Japan before forming YMO. He had been part of the influential folk rock band Happy End and had released several solo albums. Hosono brought his expertise in songwriting and production to the group, contributing to their catchy melodies and innovative soundscapes.
Music / Yellow Magic Orchestra
Yellow Magic Orchestra was a hugely influential techno kayō (techno pop) supergroup founded in 1978, consisting of core members Haruomi Hosono, Yukihiro Takahashi and Ryuichi Sakamoto. They helped pioneer Synth-Pop, modern J-Pop, Techno and House Music, while also influencing the development of City Pop. The band was the first to use the influential Roland TR-808 drum machine in 1980, and one of the first to use Sampling: their 1981 album Technodelic was one of the first albums to be primarily composed of samples (alongside David Byrne and Brian Eno's My Life in the Bush of Ghosts the same year). YMO have been called the Japanese equivalent of Kraftwerk, while their influence within their home country has been likened to The Beatles.
Core members Haruomi Hosono, Yukihiro Takahashi and Ryuichi Sakamoto had worked together off and on throughout the 1970s, and each had worked with early electronic instruments. However, it was Sakamoto's introduction to Kraftwerk, as well as a desire to make music that didn't ape Western musicians, that pushed them to create their own band. Shortly after Hosono's 1978 exotica-tinged album Paraiso (credited to Harry Hosono and the Yellow Magic Band, which featured Sakamoto and Takahashi contributing as session musicians), they decided to use the name Yellow Magic Orchestra, parodying the faddish fascination with black magic in Japan at the time. Their debut album was intended to parody Western stereotypes of Asia (and its offensive fascination with "orientalism" going on at that time) while also exploring Asianness and the potential that came from mixing western electronic and funk sounds with traditional Japanese compositional techniques, blending Sakamoto's classical training with Hosono & Takahashi's pop expertise.
Intended mostly as a joke, the album was a surprise hit, prompting the band to go on tour. One of these live performances was seen by an American A&M Records executive, and by the end of 1978 they had an international record deal, prompting the three to shift from solo careers and session work to a popstar lifestyle as YMO note Sakamoto and Takahashi still maintained active solo careers for the entirety of YMO's existence, with Hosono starting up again in 1982 .
Over the next few years, YMO was the most popular band in Japan, and was regularly charting in America and Europe (despite their distribution being much spottier in those regions), with sold-out tours in all three areas. For 1979's Solid State Survivor, the band brought English lyricist Chris Mosdell to write English lyrics, producing the song "Behind the Mask", which would later become a hit for Michael Jackson and Eric Clapton note Jackson even wrote additional lyrics for the song, which have since become standard for it . Both it and the follow-up, ×∞Multiplies, were on the Oricon charts at the same time for seven weeks, a record that still stands. The band's music became a major influence on early Techno and Hip-Hop pioneers, with Sakamoto's solo piece (and YMO live staple) "Riot in Lagos" seen as both the Trope Maker for electro and one of the first songs to have a "techno" beat. After sampling "Firecracker" for his song "Death Mix," Afrika Bambaataa jokingly claimed YMO "invented Hip Hop." The band's work also had an inevitable effect on Japanese Pop Music itself, in particular influencing the development of City Pop through their eclectic blend of styles. Their later albums shot straight to the top of the Oricon charts, and their 1983 single "Kimi ni, mune kyun." was the highest charting Synth-Pop song in Japanese history at #2 — a record the song held until synth-pop idol group Perfume released "love the world" in 2008.
After making the concert film Propaganda, YMO "spread out" in 1984: although they shifted back to solo careers, the members would frequently perform with each other. They briefly reunited to record Technodon under the name of Not YMO (or "YMO" with an X through it) in the early 90s (as Alfa Records still owned the name Yellow Magic Orchestra at the time), and occasionally performed live as Human Audio Sponge. They officially reunited in 2007 as HASYMO, first for a Kirin beer commercial and single "RYDEEN 79/07," and then live at the Live Earth, Kyoto event on July 7, 2007. The band officially reverted to the name YMO in 2009 and released the single The City of Light / Tokyo Town Pages that same year. No new recordings took place since then, though the band members continued their touring schedules, up until Sakamoto was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014. After Sakamoto recovered, the band continued to live on as an on-again, off-again live act, performing YMO material both together and as part of solo shows (under the sole condition that they only be billed as YMO if all three are present). The band would ultimately come to a close with Takahashi's passing in 2023. Sakamoto himself would pass away two months later after his nearly decade-long battle with cancer.
Hosono brought his expertise in songwriting and production to the group, contributing to their catchy melodies and innovative soundscapes. Ryuichi Sakamoto, the keyboardist, was known for his classical training and collaboration with innovative musicians like David Sylvian and David Byrne. Sakamoto's proficiency in piano and synthesizers added a sophisticated and melodic dimension to YMO's music.
Discography:
Studio Albums:
- Yellow Magic Orchestra (Album) (1978)
- Solid State Survivor (1979)
- ×∞Multiplies /増殖 note Multiplication (1980)
- BGM (1981)
- Technodelic (1981)
- Naughty Boys (1983)
- Service (1983)
- Technodon (1993) note as Not YMO
Compilation Albums:
- YMO Best Selection (1982)
- Sealed (1984)
- Y.M.O. History (1987)
- Kyoretsu Na Rhythm (1991)
- Technobible (1992)
- YMO Go Home! (1999)
- UC YMO: Ultimate Collection of Yellow Magic Orchestra (2003)
- YMO (2011)
- Neue Tanz (2018) note includes one selection from each member's solo work (Sakamoto's "Riot in Lagos", Takahashi's "Glass", and Hosono's "Sports Men") in addition to YMO material
Live Albums:
- Public Pressure (1980) note expanded as Faker Holic: YMO World Tour Live in 1991
- After Service (1984) note expanded and remixed by Brian Eno as Complete Service in 1992
- Technodon Live (1993) note as Not YMO
- Live at the Budokan 1980 (1993)
- Live At Kinokuniya Hall 1978 (1993)
- Winter Live 1981 (1995)
- World Tour 1980 (1996)
- Live At The Greek Theatre 1979 (1997)
- One More YMO (2000)
- Euymo — Yellow Magic Orchestra Live in London + Gijon 2008 (2008)
- LONDONYMO — Yellow Magic Orchestra Live in London 15/6 08 (2008)
- Gijonymo — Yellow Magic Orchestra Live in Gijon 19/6 08 (2008)
- No Nukes 2012 (2015)
Remix Albums:
- Naughty Boys Instrumental (1983)
- Hi-tech/No Crime (Yellow Magic Orchestra Reconstructed) (1993)
- YMO Remixes Technopolis 2000-00 (2000)
Non-Album Singles and Miscellaneous Releases:
- "Kageki na Shukujo" / "See-Through" (1983) note A-side is an exclusive studio recording of a track performed live on After Service; also available on the 1992 remaster of ×∞Multiplies as a bonus track; B-side otherwise available on Service
- YMO Versus The Human League (1993) note collaborative EP with The Human League
- "Rescue / RYDEEN 79/07" (2007)
- "The City of Light" / "Tokyo Town Pages" (2009)
- "Good Morning, Good Night" (2009)
Yukihiro Takahashi, the drummer and vocalist, had a background in rock, jazz, and funk music. He had previously played with the progressive rock band Sadistic Mika Band. Takahashi's energetic drumming style and versatile vocals contributed to YMO's dynamic live performances. Together, the three members of YMO revolutionized electronic music by utilizing a wide range of synthesizers, drum machines, and sequencers. They embraced the emerging technology of the time to create futuristic and innovative sounds that captivated audiences worldwide. YMO's self-titled debut album, released in 1978, was a groundbreaking success. It featured the hit single "Firecracker," a catchy instrumental track that became their signature song. The album showcased the band's ability to blend Western pop influences with traditional Japanese melodies, setting a new standard for electronic music. Throughout their career, YMO continued to release critically acclaimed albums, such as "Solid State Survivor" (1979) and "Technodelic" (1981). Their music inspired countless artists and genres, with influential acts like Kraftwerk, Daft Punk, and Depeche Mode acknowledging YMO's impact on their own work. Although YMO officially disbanded in 1984, the members continued to pursue successful solo careers. Ryuichi Sakamoto, in particular, gained international recognition for his film scores, winning an Academy Award for his work on "The Last Emperor" (1987). In 2007, YMO reunited for a series of concerts to commemorate their legacy. The band's influence on electronic music continues to resonate, and their music remains a testament to their innovative spirit and collective talent. Yellow Magic Orchestra's members, Haruomi Hosono, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and Yukihiro Takahashi, will always be remembered as pioneers of the electronic music genre..
Reviews for "11. Yellow Magic Orchestra Members and Their Impact on the Global Music Scene"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with the performance by the Yellow Magic Orchestra members. It felt like they lacked energy and enthusiasm on stage. The music sounded flat and the overall experience was quite underwhelming. I expected much more from such accomplished musicians, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations.
2. Lisa - 2/5 - I was not impressed with the Yellow Magic Orchestra members' show. The sound quality was poor, making it difficult to fully enjoy the music. Additionally, their stage presence was lacking, and it felt like they were just going through the motions rather than putting their heart and soul into the performance. Overall, I left the concert feeling unsatisfied and unentertained.
3. Michael - 1/5 - I had high hopes for the Yellow Magic Orchestra members, but they failed to meet even the lowest expectations. Their musical performance was amateurish, and it seemed like they were struggling to keep up with each other. The lack of chemistry on stage was evident and made it hard to connect with the music. It was a forgettable experience that I wouldn't recommend to anyone.
4. Sarah - 1/5 - I regret attending the Yellow Magic Orchestra members' concert. The entire show felt like a disorganized mess. The band seemed out of sync, and there were numerous technical difficulties throughout the performance. It was frustrating to watch, and I found myself wishing I had spent my time and money elsewhere. The overall experience was extremely disappointing.