Vagabond Synth Nerd’s Journal Vol. 133 - In Memory of Ryuichi Sakamoto Special Part 2: Melodic Approach in His Keyboard Solos and Compositions

A Legendary Synthesist and Master of the Fender Rhodes Piano

Renowned Japanese musician Ryuichi Sakamoto passed away on March 28 at the age of 71. We extend our heartfelt condolences.
In the previous feature (Part 1), we explored Sakamoto’s melodic charm in his solo keyboard performances, highlighting excerpts from albums by Yoshitaka Minami and Yukihiro Takahashi.
In this edition, we continue our focus on his melodic solos and compositions, featuring works from Kazumi Watanabe’s KYLIN band and Tatsuro Yamashita’s albums.
In his later years, Sakamoto was often highlighted for his solo piano performances, but his work was not limited to acoustic piano alone. As a master of synthesizers as well, he crafted melodic lines that I believe Vagabond Synth Nerd’s Journal readers would appreciate. Sharing his music in this way could also serve as a tribute to him.

A Musician Who Loved Simple Melodies

One particular quote from Sakamoto’s interviews has stayed with me:
"Rather than evaluating music based on various theories, I want to create music that, when played in a shopfront in Romania or South America, makes an elderly woman stop and think, ‘This is beautiful music.’"
He avoided embedding overt political messages in his work, instead cherishing the fundamental essence of music itself. That, to me, was the kind of musician he was.
A musician with deep convictions, yet never imposing them—perhaps that’s what music is truly about.
Listening to his interviews, I was struck by how remarkably simple and genuine he was.
Music consists of elements like melody, harmony, and rhythm, but melody is often the most immediate and accessible to listeners. Sakamoto cherished melody, making it the heart of his musical expression.

The Miracle Born from Sessions Alongside YMO

It is said that the concept of YMO came from bassist Haruomi Hosono around 1978. This was around the same time he was involved in the recordings of Yoshitaka Minami and Yukihiro Takahashi, as introduced in the previous Vagabond Synth Nerd’s Journal. Hosono also participated in Minami’s South of the Border and Takahashi’s Saravah!.
Ryuichi Sakamoto also released his solo album Thousand Knives in 1978, featuring Hideki Matsutake as a manipulator and Kazumi Watanabe on guitar.
From these musical connections emerged two historically significant Japanese bands: YMO and KYLIN—both almost miraculous in their impact. And at the heart of both was Ryuichi Sakamoto.

Just before forming YMO, Sakamoto joined Kazumi Watanabe’s project KYLIN as a keyboardist alongside Akiko Yano.
KYLIN remains a legendary band in Japan’s jazz-fusion history, leaving a significant mark that is still remembered today.

■ Album: Kazumi Watanabe KYLIN (1979)

The superband KYLIN was co-produced by guitarist Kazumi Watanabe and Ryuichi Sakamoto. Watanabe composed three tracks, while Sakamoto wrote four.
The album features some of Japan’s top musicians, including Mikio Masuda, Yukihiro Takahashi, Shuichi "Ponta" Murakami, Rei Ohara, Shigeharu Mukai, Toshiyuki Honda, Yasuaki Shimizu, and Pecker.
Sakamoto’s keyboard solos on KYLIN are relatively restrained. Given that Watanabe was the bandleader and the presence of three horn players, it seems that Sakamoto took on more of a supervisory role, overseeing the overall band ensemble.

Recommended Track: "E-Day Project"

At first listen, "E-Day Project" might sound like a charming and catchy theme song for a shopping district campaign—its playful, singable melody leaves a lasting impression.
Composed by Ryuichi Sakamoto, the track features his knack for crafting melodies that appeal to the masses, delivered through a vocoder-like effect.
The interlude showcases a solo by Akiko Yano, played on Sakamoto’s own ARP Odyssey synthesizer.

Recommended Track: "I'll Be There"

This track is also composed by Ryuichi Sakamoto.
The melody is everything—so memorable that once you hear it, you’ll never forget it. A truly outstanding piece that lingers in the heart.

■ Album: Tatsuro Yamashita IT'S A POPPIN' TIME (1978)

When showcasing Ryuichi Sakamoto’s expressive and melodic synthesizer playing, IT'S A POPPIN' TIME is an essential album to mention.
Tatsuro Yamashita once remarked that Sakamoto’s brilliance lay in his precise sense of rhythm. This live album is a perfect opportunity to experience his extended solos, which highlight both his technical mastery and musical sensitivity.

Recommended Track: "Pink Shadow"

A cover of an original song by Bread & Butter, "Pink Shadow" features a meticulously crafted synthesizer solo by Ryuichi Sakamoto on the ARP Odyssey.
The melody is so catchy that after just a few listens, it becomes instantly singable—an impressive testament to Sakamoto’s compositional brilliance.
He also makes masterful use of the synthesizer’s portamento function. Notably, in the final section, he applies an extended portamento from the lower to the higher register, creating a dynamic, fluid effect. By skillfully manipulating portamento time, he injects a sense of speed and variation into what could otherwise be a straightforward synth solo.

■ Album: Tatsuro Yamashita SPACY (1977)

An early masterpiece by Tatsuro Yamashita, SPACY was released in 1977.
This album features two legendary Japanese keyboardists—Ryuichi Sakamoto and Hiroshi Sato—whose contributions add depth and character to the sound.

Recommended Track: "SOLID SLIDER"

What elevates the brilliance of this masterpiece, "SOLID SLIDER," even further is the breathtaking Fender Rhodes piano solo by Ryuichi Sakamoto in the latter half of the track.
While his live solo at Roppongi Pit Inn is excellent, the studio version stands out as one of his finest recorded performances. From the very first phrase, it’s utterly captivating. The melody is so flawlessly constructed that it seems likely to have been pre-written—its precision is simply astonishing.
Sakamoto had a remarkable ability to make the Rhodes sing with exhilarating speed and phrasing. And just when you think the solo has reached its peak, he delivers an unexpected twist—hammering the lower keys with his fist. A technique unthinkable for a classical pianist, yet executed with stunning effect.

Featured Musicians, Albums, and Recommended Tracks

• Artists: Ryuichi Sakamoto, Kazumi Watanabe, Tatsuro Yamashita
• Albums: KYLIN, IT'S A POPPIN' TIME, SPACY
• Tracks: "E-Day Project", "I'll Be There", "Pink Shadow", "Solid Slider"

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