Description
Pioneers, innovators, explorers, extraordinary, ambitious, fearless, contemporary, artistic, talented; these are just a few of the references made to identify YMO. The collaboration started in 1978 in Tokyo by keyboardist Ryuichi Sakamoto, drummer Yukihiro Takahashi and bassist Haruomi Hosono. YMO took their chance and showed the world what they were capable of with new technology made available to them at the time. In the course of their careers in the music business, YMO got involved in film music, collaborations with artists all over the scope (from Hip-Hop to Rock), inventing the House/Acid sound and getting involved in numerous projects. The impact of this Japanese trio is not to be reckoned with and has become a given, inspiring many in the music industry.
YMO‘s second album was released in 1979, represented numerous crossover tracks from techno to new wave. Solid State Survivor is probably the most sampled album for YMO, quite a few covers were made by several artists along the years of “Behind The Mask”. This extremely popular album peaked at number 1 in several charts all over the world. Several tracks from this album were in television series and commercials. Kraftwerk was emerging in Europe and alongside YMO became an influence and inspiration for YMO to broaden their horizons musically. Having said that YMO has never lost their initial sound, staying true to where they came from.