I just released a new podcast (on Spotify only) with 3hrs worth of my favourite Sakamoto songs. I'll be honest, with his passing, the songs sound a lot more sorrowful than I remember. I hope you like it. You can find it if you look up Derrick Gee Speaks Volumes: Remembering Ryuichi Sakamoto.

I think you like to mention another one of his career highlights is won the Oscar for compose in “The Last Emperor” at age 35.

First discovered Ryuichi with his song featuring in Babel. The last scene of the movie, Bibo no Aozara was playing and I was mesmerized. Later on, I dove into his music, and just lost myself in his tremendous work that allowed me to shift and focus into my own path as a writer and creator. His music was so enlightening for me, to the point where it inspired me to strive to be a composer in the lifetime. (Haven’t gotten there yet 😂) but I still appreciate that others cherish his music as much as I do, he deserves the love and recognition ❤

I had a college radio show and devoted two special shows to just Ryuichi Sakamoto music. True artist and explorer whose music goes everywhere. Always wish I could see him live and I love the last guitar solo on 1,000 Knives

I got into Sakamoto and David Sylvian when I was really young…. They’re a very essential part of my life now…

I think your admiration for Sakamoto san is a testament to your own taste in music (also in general) and how deeply you listen, care about and experience music yourself. He’s so cool which means you are so cool. It’s simple algebra.

He was also good friends with Nam June Paik and other contemporary artists. His legacy goes beyond music. He is a wonderful man.

Yes. Greatest and so important - Sakamoto san has been a true gift to us all.

Heard something he did maybe 30 years ago and fell in love with it because it was so unique yet interestingly familiar even though the lyrics were in Japanese (I'm American and speak no Japanese). It wasn't until recently that I delved into his solo piano, ambient or orchestral works and find them so rich and fulfilling. As far as I'm concerned he's one of the most important artists of the 20th century.

Ryuichi Sakamoto has made some of the most wonderful music. I am sorry to hear that he is so ill. Thank you for this. Please continue to make content I enjoy your vlog/podcast.

I came here as a Philip Glass fan, looking for other interesting composers. Thank you for this wonderful introduction, especially considering Sakomoto's passing

I fell in love with ryuichi sakamoto after hearing the album rosé by Mari iiijima, which he was the composer of. It’s my favorite album of all time and the production is gorgeous!!! It’s one of my biggest influences within my own compositions.

Have been really into his album "the arrangement" with Robin Scott. All of the 80s stuff is just so magical.

Your video on Ryuichi Sakamoto is really great. He leaves a legacy that spans so many different music styles and ideas that it's hard to even encapsulate. Thank-you for this video and with his recent passing this week, it will help people connect with his work in the coming years. Cheers, mate!

Ryuichi Sakamoto definitely deserves to be up there with the greats. I felt so jealous listening to you talk about that 2018 warehouse set lol, what an experience that must have been. This was an enjoyable composition, keep it up Derrick. Going to go play async now.

I would love to see yves tumor doing a noise set! Really enjoyed this btw

I discovered you from your clip about Ryuichi on Tiktok, started to follow because started to listen and was life changing.! Thank you so much for this podcast tbh and as a personal compliment, your voice is very pleasent to hear haha (I need to say it). Regards from Romania

I'd discovered Ryuichi Sakamoto through a dive into Haruomi Hosono and Yellow Magic Orchestra! Hearing you talk so passionately about both artists lets me know I'm on the right track (no pun intended), always looking forward to hearing your thoughts and musings on music and the wider world. Listening from Belgium 🙌

Yesterday dead Maestro Sakamoto! Today all day long was raining I was walking in the street, and I was listening beautiful elegy, which Grande Maestro dedicated to Rain, and everything seemed to me deeply sad like a color of violet!

really excellent video! i came across YMO in college a few years ago and was obsessed with them; naturally loved his Thousand Knives EP as well. it wasn’t until more recently though that i listened to Smoochy and Hidariude no Yume and started digging much deeper into his catalog. everything he does sounds so unique and inspired, and he’s been a huge inspiration on my own creative work as of late.

I'm listening! In Porto, Portugal

This was such a great bit of info, background and look into Ryuichi Sakamoto. Wanted to know more since you referenced him!

Been binging through your stuff and just wanted to say I really enjoy how you deliver information. Although music isn't a great passion of mine, you speak on it so well that I get interested. Thanks for the content! Cheers!

So happy that I found your content on tiktok, your work is just amazing, and absolutely inspiring

Went and watched merry Christmas mr Lawrence and absolutely loved it. Starting a deep dive in Sakamoto’s discography as well. I can tell this is gonna stay with me for a long time! Thank you for what you do, please keep it up, I love the soothing sound of your voice.

As a music enthusiast that hasn't really taken the time to explore the story around the music I listen to, this series is a blessing! Lovely work, looking forward to listening to more ^^

ah beautiful video, thank you for sharing!

Digging your musings - encouraging you to keep sharing!

Interesting stuff, might have to do a bit more digging on him. Enjoyed the story telling/brief history and explanation on him 🙇🏻‍♀️

excellent artist, and great episode from you. i discovered him with the combo of his bossanova collab with Morelembaum (which you did not mention!) and the albums with alva noto. just to show the wide range of his musical interest

Brilliant, Informative, interesting fantastic video and what a artist wow

Loved this so much! Been meaning to check out your youtube channel from tiktok!

keep working Derick, honestly soon people are going to get onto this and you will blow up, opening you up to more people that dig the tunes

rest in peace Sakamoto san

Hey Derrick, I have recently discovered your videos and I think your appreciation for msuic itself really resonates with me. I appreciate you expressing how passionate you are about it all. I respect that. I've been on this journey of exploring Hi-Fi listening because of my passionate history with music. I recently bought some Koss Porta Pros that I have been really enjoying. Also, I'm in school for product design right now and have recently discovered the cool experience that teenage engineering has provided for audio lovers as well. And then I found your videos and have loved your suggestions and commentary, so I just wanted to say thank you! ::)

Funny enough I heard of the Sakamoto , Toop and Yves show not too long ago while I was digging ( hoping ) that Yves and Sakamoto collabed haha... glad to see they were doing the noise thing still even then hope the next record is like that but glad to hear from someone who went. Preciate the guide as well it'll be good for many folks , cheers!🙌🏾

oh wow i love yellow magic orchestra! i didn’t know he was apart of it.

I had the honor to meet Ryuichi and his wife many years ago after one of his concerts in Düsseldorf, Germany. We talked for 15 minutes and he took my demo cassette to maybe play it on his radioshow of demo-tapes in japan :) He was gentle and warm. A wonderful person and an unfathomable musician

Hello Derrick, thank you for this excellent episode - I have been a longtime listener to Ryuichi Sakamoto and was listening to a track (remembering David Bowie on his birthday yesterday) and this episode of your podcast was suggested to me. I have already shared it with friends who are less familiar with his music - thank you for creating what I could not have done nearly as well - plus, your personal stories…! I friend to find the Spotify playlist you mentioned as well as followed the link in the episode description, but I did not reach the playlist that you made. Would you please be so kind as to put a link to that playlist here, I would be grateful. 💖🙏🎶🌟 I am so pleased when the algorithm actually gets it right and will now go and listen to more of your podcast episodes. Thank you for creating and sharing all this wonderful content, and all the best to you in 2024.

❤

RIP Ryuichi! What a huge loss! Music just lost a true genius.

Came across Sakamoto through your arch nemesis…… Spotify discover weekly a few years back😅 Had not realised quite the extent of his work esp the curation of the music at Kajitsu and the burger bar! I work as an architect and think that the discussion and carfull curation of the audio scape for spaces is often neglected. ! Thank you for this insight 🙏

rain always makes me cry LOL

Was really hoping his bosa nova work with the Morelembaums would get a shout.

fantastic video! love your in depth and personal look into Ryuichi and his music... but kind of off topic question, but where did you find that picture of Ryuichi and Thundercat? I need it!!! i love the energy it gives off. Thanks!

love the teenage engineering speaker, wheres the shelve from?

Does anyone know if his incredible soundtrack for Wuthering Heights (1992) it available anywhere? There are some songs on KZfaq, but I’m looking for the complete album. 🙏

the 'angel's egg' soundtrack is also very good tracks like 'the accumulation of time' are spot on it's not sakamoto it's Yoshiro kanno not sakamoto but very good nontheless