The trailblazing force behind the emergence of the Japanese techno-pop sound of the late '70s, Yellow Magic Orchestra remains a seminal influence on contemporary electronic music -- hugely popular both at home and abroad, their pioneering use of synthesizers, sequencers and drum machines places them second only to Kraftwerk as innovators of today's electronic culture. Yellow Magic Orchestra was formed in Tokyo in 1978 by keyboardist 坂本龍一, who at the time was working on his debut solo LP; among his collaborators was drummer 高橋幸宏, himself also a solo performer as well as a member of the rock group サディスティック・ミカ・バンド. The third member, bassist 細野晴臣, boasted an even more impressive discography, including four solo records as well as a number of production credits.

Agreeing to join forces as Yellow Magic Orchestra, the trio soon debuted with a self-titled LP influenced largely by the robotic iconography of Germany's Kraftwerk; 1979's Solid State Survivor heralded a quantum leap in their sound, with stronger songs and a more focused use of electronic tools, complete with English lyrics by Chris Mosdell. While 1980's Xoo Multiplies was at best a mixed bag including comedy skits and two different covers of the Archie Bell And The Drells classic "Tighten Up," Public Pressure captured Yellow Magic Orchestra performing live. Their two 1981 releases, BGM and Technodelic, both delved deeper into pop, exploring new stylistic territory anticipating the individual musicians' subsequent solo projects. Give Up, from 1983, again offered skits, this time courtesy of the theatrical troupe S.E.T.

Following the ambitious Naughty Boys and another live record, Lips After Wine, Yellow Magic Orchestra disbanded at the peak of their popularity, with its members wishing to revive their respective solo careers. 坂本龍一 enjoyed the highest visibility of the Yellow Magic Orchestra alumni -- a noted film composer, he gained his greatest exposure co-writing the Academy Award-winning score to the 1987 film The Last Emperor. Hosono also pursued world music as well as ambient projects, while Takahashi enjoyed an eclectic and experimental return to his rock roots. By the 1990s, Yellow Magic Orchestra was cited regularly as a pioneer of ambient music, resulting in the release of the remix album Hi-Tech No Crime. The original trio then reunited in 1993, recording the LP Technodon before again going their separate ways. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi