Yellow Magic Orchestra (often abbreviated as YMO) is a Japanese electronic music band formed in Tokyo in 1978. The group consists of three members: Haruomi Hosono, Yukihiro Takahashi, and Ryuichi Sakamoto. YMO is considered one of the pioneers of electronic music and their sound has influenced a wide range of artists and genres. The band's name, Yellow Magic Orchestra, is a reference to the "yellow magic" that the electronic musical instruments they used seemed to produce. They combined traditional Japanese music with Western electronic music, creating a unique and futuristic sound that set them apart from other bands of the time. YMO gained international success with their breakthrough album "Solid State Survivor" in 1979, which included the hit single "Computer Game / Firecracker".
YMO gained international success with their breakthrough album "Solid State Survivor" in 1979, which included the hit single "Computer Game / Firecracker". This album showcased their innovative use of synthesizers and drum machines, creating a blend of catchy pop melodies and electronic sounds. Their music often incorporates elements of various genres, including synth-pop, new wave, techno, and even classical music.
Yellow Magic Orchestra
Haruomi Hosono, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and Yukihiro Takahashi are the founding members of YELLOW MAGIC ORCHESTRA (YMO), the legendary group whose innovations included the integration of exotic sounds and techno elements in their so-called “computer music.” YMO has been one of the central figures in the techno/new wave movement starting in the late 70s, along with Kraftwerk and DEVO, and have influenced countless techno/hiphop/pop/rock musicians throughout the world. Furthermore, YMO is said to be the first to use electronic instruments such as the Vocoder VP-330, and the first to release an album that heavily used samples and loops.
Influenced by folk, Haruomi Hosono has been one of the pioneers of the rock/pop music scene in Japan, impacting many artists and garnering considerable respect in the electronic music field. Ryuichi Sakamoto, the Oscar winning composer/musician, has gained an international reputation exploring and innovating the realm between music and noise. Yukihiro Takahashi has been known not only as a producer of Japanese rock/pop music, but also for his activities (accomplishments) as a fashion designer and writer.
In 1983, YMO announced they would sankai, or “fan-out,” and didn’t reunite until 1993 with performances which drew 100,000 people to the show in Tokyo and included The Orb as their opening act. During the period of 1993 - 2002 the group members continued to focus on their solo careers: Hosono founded his label daisyworld discs, while Takahashi and Sakamoto concentrated on their solo works. The unit did not reunite until Hosono and Takahashi formed Sketch Show and invited Sakamoto to contribute on tracks on their releases Audio Sponge and Loophole. Sakamoto joined Sketch Show for the Sonar Festival in 2004 for a performance under the name Human Audio Sponge (or HAS). The name was inspired by the writings of UK-based writer, musician, and curator David Toop, which would be used whenever Sakamoto joined a Sketch Show performance. The band considered HAS to be a completely separate entity from YMO and embodied this idea in their performance style, shying away from live instruments. Human Audio Sponge was a name that reflected the musical direction of the three members at the time, absorbing various musical elements and converting these ideas in their original way to create a totally new sound.
Recently the group has performed under the name HASYMO. More than just a melding of their previous incarnations as Human Audio Sponge (HAS) and Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO), HASYMO has developed a new sound that transcends the two groups. One recent contribution is the new track Rescue for the film Appleseed: Ex Machina.
The original three members performed as Yellow Magic Orchestra from Live Earth’s Kyoto stage on 7/7/07. The concert was hailed by Rolling Stone as the worldwide festival’s best reunion performance.
In 2008, the band performed in London at the Meltdown Festival hosted by Massive Attack and a concert in Spain directly followed. The group introduced two new songs: The City of Light and Tokyo Town Pages, and was accompanied by Christian Fennesz on guitar and laptop along with regular supporting members.
From this point on, the band’s official title would be Yellow Magic Orchestra once again.
Equipped with regular supporting members including Keigo Oyamada (Guitar) from Cornelius, Ren Takada (Pedal Steel/Electronics) and Tomohiko Gondo (HD Operation/Euphonium), Yellow Magic Orchestra played the Japanese Summer Festival World Happiness 2008,2009 and 2010. Fans were taken aback by rare performances of classic YMO pieces such as Thousand Knives, Firecracker and Behind The Mask.
On June 26th 2011 the group will be performing at the renowned Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, bringing their live show to the states for the first time in over 30 years. As headliner for the Hollywood Bowl’s “Big In Japan” event the group will be reworking many of their classics to be performed with a focus on live instruments. This will showcase the breadth of the individual artist talents as well as the group as a whole and will include supporting members Keigo Oyamada, and Christian Fennesz. Following this performance the group will be playing the very next day at the Warfield theatre in San Francisco on June 27th.
Both U.S.A. performances will coincide with a new “Best of” compilation from Sony titled; YMO, which will be released mid-June. The compilation features handpicked songs from the band members themselves, spanning the entire YMO catalogue. The songs have been re-mastered and the compilation’s aim is to introduce YMO’s music to a younger generation, as well as please the long time fans with a fresh take on the band’s extensive repertoire.
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In 2008, the band performed in London at the Meltdown Festival hosted by Massive Attack and a concert in Spain directly followed. The group introduced two new songs: The City of Light and Tokyo Town Pages, and was accompanied by Christian Fennesz on guitar and laptop along with regular supporting members.
YMO's ability to seamlessly merge these different styles is a testament to their musical talent and creativity. In addition to their studio albums, YMO is also known for their energetic and visually captivating live performances. The band members often wear brightly colored outfits and use video projections and lighting effects to enhance their shows. Their dynamic stage presence and infectious energy have made them a favorite among fans worldwide. Over the years, YMO's influence on electronic music has continued to grow. Their use of synthesizers and drum machines paved the way for the development of techno, house, and other electronic genres. Many contemporary artists credit YMO as a major inspiration for their own music. In conclusion, Yellow Magic Orchestra is a groundbreaking Japanese electronic music band that has had a significant impact on the music industry. Their innovative use of synthesizers and blending of different musical genres have made them pioneers in the field of electronic music. YMO's music continues to be celebrated and loved by fans all over the world, and their legacy as one of the greatest electronic music acts remains strong..
Reviews for "Yellow Magic Orchestra: The Soundtrack to a Techno-futurist Japan"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I didn't understand the hype around Yellow Magic Orchestra's "Spotig" album. It just didn't resonate with me at all. The tracks felt unexciting and lacked depth. I found myself getting bored after just a few minutes into each song. The melodies were repetitive, and the overall production felt generic. I was hoping for something more innovative, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me.
2. Emily - 1/5 stars - "Spotig" by Yellow Magic Orchestra was a huge disappointment for me. The album felt disjointed and lacked cohesion. The songs seemed randomly put together, and there was no clear direction or theme. The vocals were weak, and the lyrics were forgettable. I tried giving it multiple listens, hoping it would grow on me, but it just didn't. Overall, I found the album to be unimpressive and forgettable.
3. Michael - 2/5 stars - I had high expectations for Yellow Magic Orchestra's "Spotig" based on their previous work, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my hopes. The album felt messy and disorganized. The mixing and mastering were subpar, and the overall sound quality was disappointing. The melodies were forgettable, and the beats felt repetitive. It lacked the energy and freshness that I loved about their previous albums. Overall, it was a letdown for me.
4. Sarah - 1/5 stars - "Spotig" by Yellow Magic Orchestra was a complete miss for me. The album lacked any distinguishable hooks or memorable melodies. The songs felt uninspired and lacked creativity. It felt like the band was simply going through the motions without bringing anything new to the table. I found myself skipping through the tracks, hoping to find something that would grab my attention, but nothing did. Overall, I found the album to be a forgettable and uneventful listen.