Name: 12
Brand: Ryuichi Sakamoto

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

19658789821

Colour

Black

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2023-06-23

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Sony

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

196587898212

Total Cap

Black LP

19658789822

196587898229

1 / CD

Artist

Ryuichi Sakamoto

Genre GB

Electronic

Label GB

Commmons

Ryuichi Sakamoto was a Japanese musician, composer, and actor born on January 17, 1952 in Tokyo, Japan. He studied at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music where he specialized in composition and electronic/ethnic music. Sakamoto began his career in the mid-1970s as a composer, arranger, and producer for popular rock, jazz, and classical artists in Japan. He gained fame as a member of the synth-rock band Yellow Magic Orchestra. Throughout his career, he collaborated with various artists including David Sylvian and appeared in films such as Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence alongside David Bowie.
Sakamoto's musical talent extended to film scores as well. He won an Academy Award for his score to the 1987 film The Last Emperor directed by Bernardo Bertolucci. Additionally, he composed soundtracks for Pedro Almodovar's High Heels and Oliver Stone's Wild Palms. Sakamoto was married to Japanese pianist and singer Akiko Yano with whom he collaborated on some recordings.
Aside from his musical achievements, Ryuichi Sakamoto was also known for being critical of copyright law which he believed to be outdated in the information age. His legacy lives on through his daughter Miu Sakamoto who is also involved in the music industry under the alias Sister M.

Commmons is a music label founded by Ryuichi Sakamoto and Max Matsuura, the founder of Avex Trax. This label aims to revolutionize the music industry by providing a platform for aspiring artists to collaborate and share their work. Commmons believes in equality among artists and strives to benefit the entire music industry. The name "Commmons" represents its commitment to music, with the third "M" standing for music. Distributed by Rhythm Zone, Commmons brings a fresh perspective to urban/R&B music.

Back In Stock

Ryuichi Sakamoto releases his first original album in six years, since async released in 2017. The album 12 is a collection of 12 songs selected from the musical sketches he recorded like a sound diary, during his two-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Each song is titled by the date the song was recorded. Artwork for the album was created by renowned artist Lee Ufan for whom Sakamoto has enormous respect.

"In early March 2021, after a major surgery and a long hospital stay, I returned to my new temporary home. At the end of March, when my body was recovering a little, I happened to touch the synthesizer. I wasn't conscious of what to make, I just wanted to be bathed in "sound". It felt like it healed a little bit of the damage to my body and mind. Until then, I didn't have the physical strength to listen to music, let alone make sounds, but from that day on, I would occasionally touch the synthesizer and piano keyboards and record sketches as if I were writing a diary. I chose 12 sketches that I liked and put them into an album. I dare to present it as it is without doing anything. I will continue to keep a diary like this until I run out of energy."

Music GB

Discover 12 by Ryuichi Sakamoto. His first original album in six years, a collection of 12 songs recorded during his battle with cancer. Available in LP and CD formats. Label: Commmons.