Ryūichi Sakamoto - Illustrated Musical Encyclopedia

Ongaku Zukan [Illustrated Musical Encyclopedia] Review

 

by John Bush

Professor Sakamoto gives a lesson on what is practically a different style of music with each track on Illustrated Musical Encyclopedia, beginning with a sure-fire hit: the extroverted, quintessentially Japanese synth workout "Field Work" (with Thomas Dolby). From there, Sakamoto hits riff-ready crossover jazz-fusion ("Etude"), electronic minimalism ("M.A.Y. in the Backyard"), and Oriental dub ("Paradise Lost"). There is a return to sampladelic Eastern synth-pop with "Steppin' Into Asia," but for the most part Sakamoto displays his impressive stylistic range on this solo album. 

Ryūichi Sakamoto                           

Illustrated Musical Encyclopedia   

Release Date

 October 24, 1984

Recording Location

• Onkie Haus Studios