Yellow Magic Orchestra
Country	Tokyo, Japan
Years active	1978-1983, 1993, 2007
Genres	electropop
Labels	Alfa Records (Japan) A&M Records EMI Restless Records Sony Music House (Japan) commmons (Japan)
Past members	Haruomi Hosono Yukihiro Takahashi Ryuichi Sakamoto

Yellow Magic Orchestra is a Japanese electropop band, formed in 1978. Ranked No.2 in HMV Japan's Top 100 Japanese Pop Artists. Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ...   , literally Eastern capital) is a unique subnational administrative region of Japan with characteristics of both a prefecture and a city. ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Electropop (also called Technopop) is a form of synth pop music that is made with synthesizers, and which first flourished from 1978 to 1981. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... A&M Records is an American record label, owned and operated by Universal Music Group. ... The EMI Group (LSE: EMI) is a British music company comprising of the major record company EMI Music which operates several labels, based in Brook Green in London, England, and EMI Music Publishing, based on Charing Cross Road, London. ... Restless Records is a Hollywood, California based independent record label which was started by Enigma Records, but was acquired in 2001 by Rykodisc who were, in turn, acquired by the Warner Music Group in 2006. ... Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. ... Avex Trax logo Avex Trax or Avex Entertainment Corporation is a music record label originally from Japan. ... Haruomi Hosono (細野 晴臣 Hosono Haruomi, born July 9, 1947 in Minato, Tokyo) is a Japanese popular musician, best known internationally as a member of Yellow Magic Orchestra. ... Yukihiro Takahashi (高橋幸宏 Takahashi Yukihiro, born June 6, 1952 -) is a Japanese musician, who is best known as the drummer and lead vocalist of the Yellow Magic Orchestra. ... Ryuichi Sakamoto at his New York City studio September 2003 Ryuichi Sakamoto (坂本 龍一 Sakamoto RyÅ«ichi, born January 17, 1952, Nakano, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese musician, composer, producer and actor. ... Electropop (also called Technopop) is a form of synth pop music that is made with synthesizers, and which first flourished from 1978 to 1981. ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ...

The principal members are Haruomi Hosono (bass, keyboards), Yukihiro Takahashi (drums, lead vocals) and Ryuichi Sakamoto (keyboards). Haruomi Hosono (細野 晴臣 Hosono Haruomi, born July 9, 1947 in Minato, Tokyo) is a Japanese popular musician, best known internationally as a member of Yellow Magic Orchestra. ... The electric bass guitar (or electric bass) is a string instrument played with the fingers by plucking, slapping, or using a pick. ... Piano, a well-known instance of keyboard instruments A keyboard instrument is any musical instrument played using a musical keyboard. ... Yukihiro Takahashi (高橋幸宏 Takahashi Yukihiro, born June 6, 1952 -) is a Japanese musician, who is best known as the drummer and lead vocalist of the Yellow Magic Orchestra. ... A drum kit (or drum set or trap set) is a collection of drums, cymbals and sometimes other percussion instruments arranged for convenient playing by a single drummer. ... In music a singer or vocalist is a type of musician who sings, i. ... Ryuichi Sakamoto at his New York City studio September 2003 Ryuichi Sakamoto (坂本 龍一 Sakamoto Ryūichi, born January 17, 1952, Nakano, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese musician, composer, producer and actor. ... Piano, a well-known instance of keyboard instruments A keyboard instrument is any musical instrument played using a musical keyboard. ...

The band was originally conceived as a one-off studio project by Hosono, the other two members being recruited session musicians - the idea was to produce an album fusing orientalist exotica (cf their cover version of Martin Denny's Firecracker) with modern electronics. However the first album (with its cutting-edge production) was very popular, and the studio project grew into a fully fledged touring band and career for its three members. Martin Dennys breakthrough album, Exotica Exotica is a musical genre, named after the 1957 Martin Denny album of the same title, popular during the late 1950s to mid 1960s typically with the suburban set who came of age during World War II. The musical colloquialism exotica means tropical ersatz... Martin Denny (April 10, 1911 - March 2, 2005) is universally known as the founder and reigning king of exotica music, a type of big band music with Latin rhythms and overtones of Pacific Ocean culture that is largely scorned by critics but was extremely popular in the 1950s and 1960s. ...

Sakamoto first worked with Hosono as a member of his live band in 1976, while Takahashi recruited Sakamoto to produce his debut solo recording in '77 following the split of the Sadistic Mika Band. Hosono invited both to work on his exotica flavoured album "Paraiso", followed by electronic material for the anthology collection "Pacific". Following the release of the debut "Yellow Magic Orchestra" a live date at the Roppongi Pit Inn was seen by executives of A&M Records of the USA who were in the process of setting up a partnership deal with Alfa Records. This led to the Y.M.O. being offered an international deal, at which point (early 1979) the three members decided the group would be given priority over their solo careers. The Sadistic Mika Band is a popular Japanese hard rock - glam rock group formed in 1972. ...

In August 1979, a Y.M.O. performance at LA's Greek Theatre was broadcast in Japan at which point their record sales at home really took off. An advertising deal with Fuji Tapes ensured even broader media coverage and the group sparked off a boom in the popularity of electronic pop music (called "Technopop" in Japan) that had an impact similar to that of The Beatles and Merseybeat in 60's Britain. A testament to the influence of Y.M.O. on fashion is how many middle aged Japanese businessmen still have the "Techno cut" haircut, modelled after the group.

Making abundant use of new synthesizers, samplers, digital and computer recording technology as it became available, their popularity and influence extended beyond Japan. Generally the band are highly regarded as pioneers of electronic music, and continue to be remixed and sampled by modern artists. A synthesizer (or synthesiser) is an electronic musical instrument designed to produce electronically generated sound, using techniques such as additive, subtractive, FM, physical modelling synthesis, phase distortion, or Scanned synthesis. ... A sampler can be any of the following things: In general, a sampler is any broadly representative cross-section of some collection; for instance, food products are sometimes packaged in samplers containing a variety of chocolates or beers. ...

The band had stopped working as a group in 1984, after the release of their motion picture "Propaganda", the three members returning to their solo careers. The group were careful to avoid saying they had "split up", preferring to use the Japanese phrase meaning "spreading out", and in fact the trio continued to play on each other's recordings and made guest appearances at live shows. Takahashi, in particular, would play Y.M.O. material in his concerts and as "lead singer" was arguably best placed to do so. They released a one-off reunion album, Technodon, in 1993. Year 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar). ...

The early 2000s saw Hosono & Takahashi reunited in a project called Sketch Show. On a number of occasions Ryuichi Sakamoto has joined in on Sketch Show performances and recording sessions. He later proposed they rename the group Human Audio Sponge when he participates.

The band have reunited in 2007 for an advertising campaign for Kirin and charted No.1 on various Japanese digital download charts (including iTunes Store chart) with the song "Rydeen 79/07", released on Sakamoto's new label commmons. Kirin beer Kirin Brewery Company, Ltd. ... The iTunes Store is an online business run by Apple Inc. ... Avex Trax logo Avex Trax or Avex Entertainment Corporation is a music record label originally from Japan. ...

Recently performing live as Human Audio Sponge; Hosono, Sakamoto and Takahashi will do a live performance together as Yellow Magic Orchestra for the Live Earth Kyoto event on 7th July 2007 which will raise money and awareness of a 'climate in crisis'. Live Earth is the name for a series of concerts of pop and rock music featuring various artists planned to take place on Saturday July 7, 2007 to promote action to confront the global warming crisis. ... Kyoto )   is a city in the central part of the island of HonshÅ«, Japan. ...

Trivia

• Hideki Matsutake of the Japanese electric band Logic System (band) has been believed to be the fourth member of Y.M.O.; he had been a computer programer for Y.M.O.
• Towa Tei used to submit his demo reels to Ryuichi Sakamoto's radio show when he was a teenager. Towa Tei later became a member of American dance music group Deee-Lite.
• American sc-fi novelist Bruce Sterling is a big fan of the band.
• Señor Coconut released an album of Y.M.O. covers and collaborations called "Yellow Fever" in 2006.
• The album "Technodon" features collaborations with the writers William Gibson and William Burroughs, both reading extracts from their works with Y.M.O. backing.
• Lyrics to Behind the Mask 1993 techodon version (the 1979 version just repeats the first verse twice)...

"of the mask you're wearing, its hairy and scary" "doesnt care to shield your fears, growing old but just as cold" "there is nothing in your eyes, that mask the way you cry" "all is bright, all is grand, focus on me in your mind" "it is me, is it you, behind this mask i ask" "is it me, it is you who wears another face" The Fifth Beatle is an informal title that numerous commentators in the press and entertainment industry have applied to several people who were at one point a member of The Beatles, or who had a strong association with the Fab Four other than John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and... Towa Tei , 鄭東和 정동화 Chung Dong-hwa) is a Japanese-born DJ, who first earned notice for his production work on the Jungle Brothers 1989 LP Done by the Forces of Nature. ... Deee-Lite was a house- and dance music group formed in New York City. ... Michael Bruce Sterling (born April 14, 1954) is an American science fiction author, best known for his novels and his seminal work on the Mirrorshades anthology, which defined the cyberpunk genre. ... Fan may refer to the following: Fan (aficionado) (the bracketed word being the Spanish translation), someone who has an intense liking of a sporting. ... Uwe Schmidt (aka Señor Coconut; born in Frankfurt, Germany) is a German DJ and producer of electronic music. ... There are a number of people who have been (or are) named William Gibson. ... William S. Burroughs. ...

Original Singles

• Firecracker (1979, US)
• Yellow Magic (Tong Poo) (1979, UK)
• Technopolis (1979, Japan)
• La Femme Chinoise (1979, UK)
• Computer Game (1980, UK, Italy, Spain)
• Rydeen (1980, Japan 1982, UK)
• Behind the Mask (1980, UK, US, Italy)
• Nice Age (1980, UK, Holland)
• Tighten Up (1980, US, Japan, 1981, UK)
• Cue (1981, Japan)
• Mass (1981, Japan)
• Taiso (1982, Australia, Japan)
• Pure Jam (1982, Spain)
• Kimi ni Munekyun (1983, Japan)
• Kageki na Shukujo (1983, Japan)
• Ishin Denshin (You've Got To Help Yourself) (1983, Japan)
• Every Time I Look Around (I Hear The Madmen Call) (1983, Holland)
• Reconstructions EP (1992, UK)
• Pocketful of Rainbows (1993, Japan)
• Be A Superman (1993, Japan)
• Rydeen 79/07 (2007, Japan) - Digital download release: 10th March 2007, CD release: 22th August 2007.

Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ...

Original albums

• Yellow Magic Orchestra 1978 (This original version was released in Japan)
• Yellow Magic Orchestra (US release), 1979 (This version was remixed for release in the USA and also featured new cover art)
• Solid State Survivor, 1979
• ×∞ Multiplies (mini-album) 1980 (a compilation album with the same title & artwork but different track listing was released in the USA)
• BGM, 1981
• Technodelic, 1981
• Naughty Boys, 1983
• Naughty Boys Instrumental, 1983
• Service, 1983
• Technodon, 1993

Simply entitled Yellow Magic Orchestra, this was the Japanese release of their first album (1978). ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... Yellow Magic Orchestra USA was the American release of the first album by Yellow Magic Orchestra, a Japanese electropop band. ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... Solid State Survivor was the second album of Yellow Magic Orchestra (1979). ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... ×∞ Multiplies (times infinity multiplies, although this phrase does not appear to make sense; it is sometimes mistyped as Xoo Multiplies) was a mini-album by the Yellow Magic Orchestras released in 1980. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ... BGM (BackGround Music) was the Yellow Magic Orchestras 1981 album release, produced by Haruomi Hosono Track listing Ballet Music Plans Rap Phenomena Happy End 1000 Knives Cue U.T Camouflage Mass Loom Categories: | | ... Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ... Technodelic was the fifth album by Yellow Magic Orchestra (1981). ... Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ... Naughty Boys was the sixth album by Yellow Magic Orchestra (1983). ... Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ... Cover of Naughty Boys Instrumental. ... Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ... Service was the eighth album by Yellow Magic Orchestra (1983). ... Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ... Technodon was the eighth studio album by Yellow Magic Orchestra (1993). ... Year 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar). ...

Live albums

• Public Pressure, 1980
• After Service, 1984
• Faker Holic (Transatrantic Tour 1979), 1991
• Complete Service Mixed By Brian Eno, 1992
• Technodon Live, 1993
• Live At The Budokan 1980, 1993
• Live At Kinokunya Hall 1978, 1993
• Winter Live 1981, 1995
• World Tour 1980, 1996
• Live At The Greek Theatre 1979, 1997

Public Pressure (Alfa ALR-6033) is Yellow Magic Orchestras Live Album. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ... After Service was the fifth live album by Yellow Magic Orchestra (1984). ... Year 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar). ... Faker Holic: YMO World Tour Live is live album by Yellow Magic Orchestra. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... Brian Eno (pronounced ) (born Brian Peter George St. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar). ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Best of albums

• Sealed, 1984
• Kyoretsu Na Rhythm, 1992
• YMO Go Home! : The Best of Yellow Magic Orchestra, (compiled by Haruomi Hosono), 2000
• "One More YMO: The Best of YMO Live" (compiled by Yukihiro Takahashi), 2001
• UC YMO: Ultimate Collection of Yellow Magic Orchestra, (compiled by Ryuichi Sakamoto), 2003

Year 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Remix albums

• Hi-tech/No Crime (Yellow Magic Orchestra Reconstructed), 1992 (UK compilation of remixes by British artists)

Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ...

External Links

• Huge discography on a fan website

See also

• Art of Noise
• Electronic music
• Kraftwerk
• not YMO (Technodon or YMO with X cross out through)
• Chain Music (many artists known as N.M.L. aka No More Landmines)
• Sketch Show (Takahashi + Hosono)
• Human Audio Sponge or HASYMO (Takahashi + Hosono + Sakamoto)