Isao Tomita Space Fantasy

Space Fantasy was released internationally under the title 'Kosmos' in 1978, and also as Cosmos in Japan, although each version had different tracks and artwork. This new version in addition features tracks from The Bermuda Triangle and Firebird. Comes with bonus CD of unreleased/rare tracks.

This hybrid SACD contains stereo and 4.0 multi-channel audio and I think it's fantastic!
Tomita was 83 when he re-arranged and re-mixed his Kosmos album for SACD. I think it’s remarkable that he was still working, but I feel I must reluctantly share why you may want to skip this one…

This was the most controversial Tomita album, where he uses Holst's spectacular, mystical suite The Planets as a launching pad for what amounts to a simulated spaceship trip through the solar system. Hence the title The Tomita Planets, which did not deter the Holst estate from trying (unsuccessfully) to pull this recording off the market at the time. When Tomita sticks to what Holst wrote, he follows every turn and bend of the score, save for a big cut in the last part of Jupiter and an eviscerated Uranus that nearly disappears altogether. Moreover, the music - especially Venus - often does lend itself to an electronic space flight fantasy, with Tomita's arsenal of phase-shifting, flanging, pitch-bending, envelope following and reversing choral effects and more on full display…

The creative music woven out of the synthesizer by the composer Isao Tomita for the past five years has been a wonder of a glorious new development in music. In Japan his name has almost become synonomous with synthesizer music, and he has also become a hero to those young people who wish to listen to a sound coming from over the horizon. Even more vigorous attention has been given to Tomita's synthesizer music in America, and every album he has released through RCA Records has reached a top-ranking position on the charts.

Excellent addition to any electronic music collection.
This was the most controversial Tomita album, where he uses Holst's spectacular, mystical suite The Planets as a launching pad for what amounts to a simulated spaceship trip through the solar system.