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[pauljeremiah]

The renowned Japanese composer and producer Ryuichi Sakamoto, admired for his electronic music experimentation, has died aged 71.
He won awards - including an Oscar, a Grammy and a Bafta - for his work as a solo artist and as a member of the Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO).
Sakamoto had been diagnosed with cancer for a second time in 2021. His office said he died on Tuesday.
He starred in the film Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence with David Bowie in 1983.

His film score for The Last Emperor, in 1987, won him an Oscar, a Grammy and a Golden Globe. He also acted in the movie, an epic about the life of Puyi, the last emperor of China.

Sakamoto began studying composition at the age of 10 and was inspired by the Beatles and Debussy.

He set up YMO with Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi in 1978, playing keyboards, and their synthesizer innovations influenced techno-pop and hip-hop.

 

[NecrosaroIII]

What a legend. Every one should watch Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence.

 

[mortal]

Damn. We've lost so many legends the past few years.

RIP

 

[Go_Ly_Dow]

RIP to a legend. Now I need to watch this for the first time.

 

[NecrosaroIII]

RIP to a legend. Now I need to watch this for the first time.

Yes you do

 

[kruis]

Japan & Ryuichi Sakamoto - Taking Islands in Africa (1980)

One of my favorite tracks by Japan was mostly composed, orchestrated, sequenced and played by Ryuichi Sakamoto. The only Japan member playing on this track (besides singer David Sylvian) was Steve Jansen playing hihat and percussion.

 

[Tams]

What a legend. Every one should watch Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence.

I can visual much music in my head just from memory, but Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence is one I can instantly. Honestly, a masterpiece.

Do, de, do, de, doo, Dee, do, de, doo

RIP legend.

 

[Grildon Tundy]

Oh no! RIP, legend.

YMO and his solo work was incredible. His piano work is sublime.

He composed the Dreamcast startup sound.



Riot in Lagos, an experimental dance track released in 1980, sounded like he reached into the future..

This one hurts. I listened to YMO nearly daily for a year in 2019

 

[poodaddy]

Incredible legend, you can feel how influential he was for many prolific composers in film and even gaming. A true loss.