Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO) is a pioneering electronic music group from Japan. Formed in 1978, the band consists of Haruomi Hosono, Yukihiro Takahashi, and Ryuichi Sakamoto. YMO is credited with popularizing and revolutionizing electronic music in Japan and internationally. YMO's sound is a fusion of various genres, including pop, synth-pop, new wave, and techno. They combined catchy melodies with innovative electronic sounds, using synthesizers and drum machines. The group's music is characterized by its upbeat and infectious rhythms, futuristic soundscapes, and catchy hooks.
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.
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. 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 group's music is characterized by its upbeat and infectious rhythms, futuristic soundscapes, and catchy hooks. The band gained popularity with their breakthrough album, "Yellow Magic Orchestra," released in 1978. They found success not only in Japan but also worldwide, particularly in Europe and the United States.
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.
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.
YMO's unique sound and visual style inspired many musicians and artists across different genres. YMO was known for their innovative use of technology in their music production and live performances. They were one of the first groups to incorporate electronic instruments and computers into their compositions, pioneering new techniques and sounds. Their music often featured robotic and computerized voices, giving it a distinct futuristic and robotic vibe. The influence of YMO can be seen in the work of many electronic and pop artists that followed, including Daft Punk, Kraftwerk, and Depeche Mode. Their experimental and groundbreaking approach to music laid the foundation for the development of electronic music as we know it today. While YMO disbanded in 1983, its members continued to have successful solo careers, both in music and other creative fields. They reunited for several performances and albums over the years, demonstrating the enduring legacy and impact of their work. In conclusion, Yellow Magic Orchestra is a legendary electronic music group from Japan that revolutionized the genre. Their innovative use of technology and futuristic soundscapes influenced a generation of musicians and cemented their place in music history..
Reviews for "Yellow Magic Orchestra in Concert: A Look at Their Unforgettable Live Performances"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to listen to Yellow Magic Orchestra based on all the positive reviews, but I found myself disappointed. The music felt too experimental and disjointed for my taste. I couldn't connect with the futuristic electronic sounds and robotic vocals. It all just sounded too cold and distant for me. Maybe it's just not my cup of tea, but I couldn't find any enjoyment in their music.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I tried giving Yellow Magic Orchestra a chance, but their music was completely uninteresting to me. The repetitive beats and lack of melody left me bored and underwhelmed. I was hoping for more depth and complexity, but it all felt shallow. I couldn't even get through a single album without feeling the urge to switch to something else. Sorry, but I don't understand the hype around this band at all.
3. Mark - 2.5/5 stars - Yellow Magic Orchestra is often praised as pioneers of electronic music, but I couldn't see what the fuss was about. While I can appreciate their innovation and influence on the genre, their music just didn't resonate with me. I found the songs to be too repetitive and lacking in dynamic progression. The robotic vocals also didn't do it for me. I understand their place in history, but I personally prefer more organic and emotive music.
4. Emily - 3/5 stars - Yellow Magic Orchestra has some interesting ideas, but they fall short for me in execution. While I can appreciate their use of electronic sounds and experimentation, I found their songs to be too disjointed and hard to follow. The lack of clear structure and hooks left me feeling disconnected from the music. I can see why they are influential, but I can't say I'm a fan of their style.