We lost a real one this week. A composer across genres, time and space. Sakamoto has always been a favourite of the team at the bar; as a small tribute, Cami has put together 5 favourite cuts from the maestro. We’ve included serial numbers in case you want to seek any of these out on Discogs - although prices will be pretty steep at this present moment in time.

A playlist of the 5 is here (to open in a new tab) or at the base of this post, if you prefer to let it all play.

Ryuichi Sakamoto Featuring Thomas Dolby – Field Work / Exhibition (1985) — VINX 111

Incredible long version of Field Work and on the b-side a preview into Sakamoto’s later ambient excursions. Recorded around the same time CD only deep cut Compute, Compute, Compute is another window into the sound palette his later albums would venture into.

Ryuichi Sakamoto – Esperanto (1985) — MIL-1007

Like bandmate Haroumi Hosono’s S-F-X, Esperanto takes electronic music into the future. The sounds here wouldn’t be out of place on vaporwave playlists, ambient mixes or even drill productions with the icy FM tones and deep bass-y drum machines.

Riuichi Sakamoto & Robin Scott – The Arrangement (1982) — ALR-16001

One we play at the bar frequently and a favourite of mine and Lewis. Perfect sophisti-pop music in what was another great meeting with the blossoming new wave scene in London.

U-Zhaan & Ryuichi Sakamoto Feat. 環Roy X 鎮座Dopeness – エナジー風呂 (2019) — JS7S267

“2019 peaked with Ryuichi Sakamoto making Hip-Hop, an absolute delight!” - discogs user Makkun70

Ryuichi Sakamoto – Plastic Bamboo (1983) – KMH 709225

Taken off the B-side of the Thousand Knives LP (why are the best tracks always B2?) This genius spin of nominative determinism sounds a bit like what would happen if Wally Badarou and Morph took a trip together.