Ryuichi Sakamoto
Esperanto
School (Japan) 1985
MIL-1007 (LP) Promotional copy, with insert
sleeve : EX+ (slightly scuffed corners)
media : EX+/EX (some minor crackling noise in places, A3: one thin, small scratch that does not affect playback)
Featured in the guidebook "OBSCURE SOUND REVISED EDITION". This 1985 album features music produced by Ryuichi Sakamoto for the dance performances of American avant-garde dancer Molissa Fenley. Artists such as Yas-Kaz (perc) and Arto Lindsey (e-g), whose names alone raise expectations to the maximum, participated. I'm not sure how it's perceived by the general public, but personally, it's one of my all-time favorite Ryuichi Sakamoto works that I've listened to for many years. It's scattered with modern music ideas and minimalism, inspired by John Cage, who practiced music of chance by breaking down phrases and randomly reconstructing them. Due to the era of the mid-1980s, many works produced during the same period feature flashy digital synthesizer sounds, but this work doesn't feel dated at all when mixed with current dance music. A masterpiece among masterpieces, with every track being excellent. The mastering by Tetsuya Kotetsu is also superb, resulting in very good sound quality.
A1: a Wongga Dance Song
A3: a Rain Song
B2: a Carved Stone