Ymo

Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO) is a Japanese electronic music band formed in Tokyo in 1978 by Haruomi Hosono (bass, keyboards, vocals), Yukihiro Takahashi (drums, lead vocals) and Ryuichi Sakamoto (keyboards, vocals). The group is considered influential and innovative in the field of popular electronic music.They were pioneers in their use of synthesizers, samplers, sequencers, drum machines, computers, and digital recording technology, and effectively anticipated the "electropop boom" of the 1980s. They are credited with playing a key role in the development of several electronic genres, including synthpop, J-pop, electro, and techno, while exploring subversive sociopolitical themes throughout their career.

Best Selection captures great moments of Yellow Magic Orchestra during their golden period, between 1978 and 1981. The record is also a good way to discover the band as it is mainly composed of two parts: the first one is consecrated to punchy synth pop tracks from their first albums of the 70s, whereas the second part is dedicated to their darker 80s' cold wave pieces.

Various Artists - Yen Box, Vol. 1 (1996) {16CD+Bonus CD Yen Records - ALCA-5073~5088, ALZZ-10 rec 1982-1985}
XLD rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 5.66 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 2.77 Gb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 900 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1982-85, 1996 Yen Records / Alfa Music Japan / Toshiba-EMI | ALCA-5073~5088, ALZZ-10
New Wave / Synth Pop / Electronic / Rock / Pop / Japanese

¥・E・N Box Vol.1. Includes 64-page booklet. Set released in a cardboard box. Each disc comes in a cardboard sleeve with artwork replicating the original LP covers. The inserts for each of these albums come bundled together with a paper sleeve stamped Yen Records. Yen Records - an imprint of Alfa Records that ran from 1982 to 1985 fronted by Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi of Yellow Magic Orchestra. Most albums were produced by Hosono or Takahashi.

Various Artists - Yen Box, Vol. 2 (1996) {16CD+2xBonus CD Yen Records - ALCA-5123~5138, ALZZ-13~14}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 6.61 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 3.45 Gb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 854 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1996 Yen Records / Alfa Music Japan / Toshiba-EMI | ALCA-5123~5138, ALZZ-13~14
New Wave / Synth Pop / Electronic / Rock / Pop / Japanese

¥・E・N Box Vol.2. With 64 pages booklet. Set released in a cardboard box. Each disc comes in a cardboard sleeve with artwork replicating the original LP covers. The inserts for each of these albums come bundled together with a paper sleeve stamped yen records. Yen Records - an imprint of Alfa Records that ran from 1982 to 1985 fronted by Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi of Yellow Magic Orchestra. Most albums were produced by Hosono or Takahashi.

Ryuichi Sakamoto's first solo album appeared before he formed Yellow Magic Orchestra in late 1978, after the young keyboardist had earned his M.A. in music from Tokyo University. Six long instrumentals make up this CD, but apart from a taste for Asian-sounding synth lines, they hint at very little of what was to come in YMO. "Thousand Knives" is a long disco-lite jazzy workout with a very un-synthesized guitar solo by Kazumi Watanabe (who would later join YMO on tour and have his solo album produced by Sakamoto). Side two's "Da Neue Japanische Electronische Volkslied" and "The End of Asia" (later revamped in YMO) are closest to the new wave of Japanese electronic music that he would spawn. "Island of Woods" and "Grasshoppers" trade in rhythm for sound landscapes, and the sort of cheeriness that would pop up later in Sakamoto's childrens movie scores. Harry Hosono turns up on one track, and generally the album is a pleasant, if unadventurous, listen.