"Call it magic" is a phrase often used to describe something that is unexplainable or seemingly supernatural. Magic has long been associated with mystery and wonder, defying the laws of nature that govern our everyday lives. It has captivated human beings for centuries, captivating our imagination and inspiring countless stories and myths throughout history. Magic can take on many different forms, depending on the culture and beliefs of the people it originates from. From ancient wizards and alchemists to modern stage magicians and illusionists, magic has been used to evoke awe and disbelief in its audience. It is often associated with the unknown and the impossible, allowing us to escape the mundane realities of our world and indulge in a sense of wonder and enchantment.
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.
It is often associated with the unknown and the impossible, allowing us to escape the mundane realities of our world and indulge in a sense of wonder and enchantment. In literature and popular culture, magic is often portrayed as a source of power and transformation. It can be used for good or evil, depending on the intentions of the wielder.
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)
From mythical creatures like dragons and unicorns to witches and sorcerers, magic is often used as a plot device to drive the narrative forward and create a sense of intrigue and excitement. But beyond its fictional portrayal, magic also holds a special place in human spirituality and belief systems. Many ancient civilizations worshipped gods and goddesses associated with magic and believed in the power of spells and rituals to influence the natural world. Even today, there are spiritual practices that incorporate elements of magic, such as witchcraft and Wicca, which emphasize the connection between the individual and the natural world. While some may argue that magic is merely an illusion or sleight of hand, others believe that there is a deeper, more profound meaning behind the concept. It represents the idea that there are forces at work in the universe that go beyond our understanding, and that there is more to life than meets the eye. Magic allows us to embrace the unknown and embrace the sense of wonder and possibility that comes with it. In conclusion, whether seen as a source of entertainment, a spiritual practice, or an unexplainable phenomenon, magic continues to captivate and inspire. It taps into our innate desire for the extraordinary and challenges us to question the boundaries of what we know to be possible. So next time you witness something fantastical, something that defies explanation, just call it magic..
Reviews for "The Magic of Transformation: How Magicians Shapeshift and Create Illusions of Change"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Call it Magic". The storyline was so predictable and there was no real depth to the characters. It felt like I was reading a cliche romance novel with no substance. I was hoping for more magic and excitement, but it fell flat for me.
2. Mark - 1 star - "Call it Magic" was a complete waste of my time. The writing was amateurish and the plot was incredibly boring. I couldn't connect with any of the characters and found myself skimming through the pages just to finish it. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Call it Magic" but was left feeling underwhelmed. The dialogues were cheesy and unrealistic, making it difficult to immerse myself in the story. The romance felt forced and lacked any real chemistry. Overall, it was a forgettable read for me.
4. Michael - 2 stars - The pacing of "Call it Magic" was all over the place. It dragged on in some parts and rushed through important moments in others. I found myself losing interest quickly and had to force myself to finish it. The concept had potential, but the execution fell short for me.
5. Emily - 1 star - I found "Call it Magic" to be poorly written and cliched. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any depth. The magical elements were underdeveloped and felt like an afterthought. The plot was predictable and offered no surprises. I was hoping for a captivating fantasy read, but this book was a letdown.