Ryuichi Sakamoto’s “Last Playlist” shared by management after being played at funeral
The legendary Japanese artist had privately compiled the 33-track playlist to be played at the ceremony
Ryuichi Sakamoto's "last playlist" has been shared by his management after being played at his funeral. You can stream it in full below.
The 33-track Spotify playlist was released on 15th May, just over a month after the legendary Japanese musician and composer died aged 71. Titled 'funeral', it was announced via a post on the late artist's Twitter page, which read: "We would like to share the playlist that Ryuichi had been privately compiling to be played at his own funeral to accompany his passing. He truly was with music until the very end."
As well as tracks and classical pieces by artists and composers including Ennio Morricone, Bill Evans Trio, Claude Debussy, Laurel Halo and Sakamoto collaborator Alva Noto, the playlist includes several classical works by John Sebastian Bach.
Sakamoto, who launched his career as one-third of the group Yellow Magic Orchestra, died on 28th March aged 71 after revealing a diagnosis of colon cancer in January 2021.
A compilation of Sakamoto's Nokia ringtone compositions from the mid-2000s was posthumously shared online by YouTube channel Tech Product Bangers. Last week, a selection of his solo works were gathered on a new Milan Records compilation, 'Travesía'.
Sakamoto's passing came three months after the death of fellow his fellow Yellow Magic Orchestra co-founder Yukihiro Takahashi. Alongside Takahashi and Haruomi "Harry" Hosono, Sakamoto co-founded the highly influential group in 1978. Pioneers in their use of synthesizers, samplers, drum machines, sequencers and digital recording technology, they are widely regarded as one of the most influential acts in the early days of popular electronic music.
