" Recording technology was completely revolutionized in the 80s by the multitrack recorder, with the popularity of 24-channel SSL consoles sweeping the world. Japanese pop music created during this wave of digital improvement is now recognized worldwide as 'City Pop.' Techno Pop was another offshoot born of the same revolution. Precise, computer-controlled beats produced by groups like Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO) introduced a different type of sound to the masses. By now, these works have been brought into the international limelight and continue to be a major influence on today's music. At the center of Tokyo's Techno Pop scene was ALFA/YEN Records. Yen Records was established by Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi in May 1982, within Alfa Records. For Hosono, it was a long-awaited label driven by producers and artists, and for Takahashi, he enjoyed experimenting with his works at a private studio. The label continued to release high-quality works not just by YMO and related artists but also unique artists such as Hajime Tachibana and Jun Togawa, and cutting-edge bands such as Testpattern and Interior. The label left behind an impressive body of work, but much of it wasn't made widely available... until now! This new, definitive compilation focuses on the music archives of the YEN Records catalog, available for the first time. This is a true celebration of Japan's Techno Pop scene of the 80s, reissued with the intent that future generations, internationally, will be able to discover, enjoy, and appreciate ALFA/YEN and its significant contributions to the sonic landscape of the 80s and beyond." - Great Tracks / Sony Japan * compilation of tracks originally released on Haruomi Hosono + Yukihiro Takahashi's Yen Records * featuring Yellow Magic Orchestra, Jun Togawa, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Testpattern + more * black double vinyl pressing (please note: actual pressing color and packaging may differ from mock-up photo) * high quality Japan import * remastered audio * tracklist: 1 SEOUL MUSIC - YELLOW MAGIC ORCHESTRA 2 ZOOT KOOK - SANDII 3 Sakisaka to Momonai No Gokigen Ikaga One Two Three - You An' Me Orgasmus Orchestra 4 Drip Dry Eyes - Yukihiro Takahashi 5 SUKI-SUKI-DAISUKI - Jun Togawa 6 Parallelisme - Miharu Koshi 7 Bikkuri Party No Theme - Haruomi Hosono & Yukihiro Takahashi 8 Sakasa Kenjin Eagas - Apogee & Perigee 9 Yumemiru Yakusoku - Haruomi Hosono 10 ROCK - Hajime Tachibana 11 riot In Lagos - Ryuichi Sakamoto 12 Radarman - Jun Togawa 13 Platonic - Haruomi Hosono 14 BEAT THE RAP- Super Eccentric Theater 15 Rap Phenomena - YELLOW MAGIC ORCHESTRA 16 LEXINGTON QUEEN - Ryuichi Sakamoto 17 Chanel No #5 No On The Rock - Sheena 18 Beach Girl - TESTPATTERN 19 FLASHBACK - Yukihiro Takahashi 20 Automne Dans Un Miroir - Tamao Koike 21 Ascending - INTERIOR * music label: Great Tracks / Sony Japan 2024