Ryuichi Sakamoto featuring Thomas Dolby
Field Work
School (Japan) 1985
MIS-502 (12”)
sleeve : NM-
media : EX+/EX+(some slightly noise)
Released in 1985, this 12-inch single was recorded by Ryuichi Sakamoto in collaboration with London-based British singer-songwriter Thomas Dolby. Co-written with Dolby, the A-side features two versions of an electronic dance track arranged by Sakamoto and Hajime Tachibana. Solid electro built around the extensive use of digital synthesizers characteristic of Sakamoto’s work at the time is layered with Dolby’s New Romantic-style vocals. For Organic Music, however, the real highlight is undoubtedly Sakamoto’s solo composition on the B-side. Several electronic phrases—probably constructed using an Emulator or Fairlight CMI—repeat in seemingly random patterns, creating a strangely weightless atmosphere across fifteen and a half minutes of experimental electronics. It sounds completely natural even when played at 33 rpm. A work that extends directly from the musical world of his masterpiece Esperanto, released the same year.
A1: Field Work
B1: Exhibition