VIA PRESS RELEASE | Yukihiro Takahashi has been at the forefront of the Japanese music scene as a drummer, singer, composer, and producer since he first joined the Sadistic Mika Band in 1972. He established his identity as a solo artist in the early ’80s following the unprecedented success of the phenomenon that was Yellow Magic Orchestra.
Neuromantic is Takahashi’s first solo release for ALFA and his third solo album overall. In addition to Japanese musicians Haruomi Hosono, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and Kenji Omura, the album also features Phil Manzanera, Andy Mackay (Roxy Music), and Tony Mansfield whom he recorded with during a long stay in London. This record builds on the techno sound of YMO’s BGM (released the same year), infusing Takahashi’s unique romantic aesthetic and is considered one of his masterpieces. The sixth track, “Drip Dry Eyes” is a self-cover of a song that he wrote for ALFA artist artist Sandii.
Yukihiro Takahashi explains, “The early ’80s was one of the busiest periods of my music life… When I think back now, I think that my recording style and production process that I continue to this day may have been solidified then, during the early ’80s.”
The new reissue of Neuromatic is part of ALFA’s ongoing reissue series featuring many of Yukihiro’s early ’80s solo albums from his first hit record Murdered by Music (1980) to his last record from his ALFA era Poisson D’Avril (1985 soundtrack to the film of the same name).
About Yukihiro Takahashi | Born in 1952. After joining Sadistic Mika Band led by Kazuhiko Kato, he released his first solo album Saravah! in 1978. During the same year he formed Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO) with Haruomi Hosono and Ryuichi Sakamoto; the group are a phenomenon domestically and abroad, ushering in the popularity of Technopop. Since YMO disbanded he has continued to release both solo works and group works (with Beatniks, pupa, Sketch Show, METAFIVE and more). He has also worked as a fashion designer.
About ALFA Music | ALFA Music, a legacy label from Japan founded in 1969 by composer/producer Kuni Murai was a prolific label and influential presence on the music scene in Japan in the ’70s and ’80s, producing a countless number of records that are now considered classics both in Japan and abroad, over nearly 20 years with legendary songwriter, producer and founder Kunihiko Murai at the helm, who calls the label’s catalogue a “cultural treasure of 20th century Japan.” Some of the artists that were on the label include YMO, Yumi Arai (Yuming), Haruomi Hosono, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Yukihiro Takahashi, Minako Yoshida, Jun Togawa, Garo, Casiopea, Chu Kosaka, and Hiroshi Sato.
ALFA recently launched their official YouTube channel, which hosts both archival footage (music videos, live performances, other promotional materials from the time) and new original content to introduce the label’s hugely influential catalog to a wider audience. Videos from Yukihiro Takahashi, Jun Togawa and Toshifumi Hinata are now live on the channel with more to be added each week.
