BEST SELECTION

This compilation captures great moments of YELLOW MAGIC ORCHESTRA during their golden period, between 1978 and 1981. The record is also a good way to discover the band as it is mainly composed of two parts: the first one is consecrated to punchy synth pop tracks from their first albums of the 70's, whereas the second part is dedicated to their darker 80's cold wave pieces.

The tunes taken from their debut "YMO" and 'Solid State Survivor' are an excellent choice: the energetic "Rydeen", the enchanting "Behind the Music", the jazzy "Cosmic Surfin'", the oriental pop "Tong Poo" and electronic classic "Technopolis". They could difficultly begin the compilation better. The delight goes on with "1000 Knives" and "Taiso". The next song, "Nice Age", sounds a little cheesy to me, but this inclusion is largely forgiven by the magnificent icy "Key". There comes the oddest track of this disc, an electronic and rocky re-interpretation of THE BEATLES' "Day Tripper"! The Talking Heads would have appreciated... Back to dark tunes with "U-T" and "Seoul Music". The compilation ends with "Cue", a beautiful ambient track typically 80's.

"Best Selection" is the first best of compilation by YELLOW MAGIC ORCHESTRA and features some of their most accomplished pieces. Ideal to begin with this innovative band and for old school electronic music listeners!