Definitely a great musician and I don’t think most people in the US realize how influential Sakamoto and YMO were worldwide, and how famous they are in Japan. I did not know until recently.
Sakomoto, Haruimi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi created not only several seminal YMO albums, but also dozens of solo albums and projects with a sound that often preceded American and European music by a few years. They are credited with laying the groundwork for techno, electro pop, and dance music. Also, Sakomoto’s influence can be heard in 8 and 16 but Japanese video game music from the 80s and 90s. I’m fact, Yuji Naka is Sega even said he started programming after being inspired by YMO’s electronic music. Ryuichi Sakomoto offering to make a playlist for your restaurant is about like having George Harrison or David Bowie offer to do it.
Sakomoto, Haruimi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi created not only several seminal YMO albums, but also dozens of solo albums and projects with a sound that often preceded American and European music by a few years. They are credited with laying the groundwork for techno, electro pop, and dance music. Also, Sakomoto’s influence can be heard in 8 and 16 but Japanese video game music from the 80s and 90s. I’m fact, Yuji Naka is Sega even said he started programming after being inspired by YMO’s electronic music. Ryuichi Sakomoto offering to make a playlist for your restaurant is about like having George Harrison or David Bowie offer to do it.