Susumu Yokota — Symbol

Japans Susumu Yokota has with his last few releases forged himself a reputation as a producer of some of the finest ambient music since the golden age of Eno in the late 70s. Releases such as 2001s Grinning Cat and most of all 1999s Sakura defining Yokotas sunning blend of minimal electronics , fast cut-up samples and manipulations.

Yokota has described Symbol as his masterpiece and it represents a departure from the minimalism of his last release Laputa, and into classically influenced sample loaded soundscapes pulling together snippets of works by Cage, Meredith Monk, Tchaikovsky and many well know classical works.

The first track Long long silk bridge begins in fine style with samples of soulful Gregorian style singing from Monk and Cages Four Walls, all set against Yokotas eastern influenced electronics and synth work. Its an epic and upbeat start.
Purple Rose Minuet is a more melancholic track, again using atmospheric piano and vocals combined with Yokotas sequenced tinkling bells and cut-ups. The mood only being broken by the intrusion of orchestral riffs and motifs. All the tracks have long, possibly pretentious titles. The plateau which the zephyr of flora occupies has such a title but lives up to it’s  suggestions of a dreamy place in the clouds with mournful vocal samples from Monk and delicate piano and swirling string work. More Swan lake than Turn loose the swans.

Many of the albums thirteen tracks follow a similar pattern of Yokota electronics and percussion sequenced seamlessly with classical and choral samples, and perhaps this is the albums only down point in that the structure and tempo of most of the tracks have a samey quality that can lead to the tracks taking on the feel of Muzak. Also the inclusion of so many samples from very well known classical works sometimes makes the music seem almost fake or unserious. But these moments are brief and are certainly made up for by tracks like The dying black swan that floats beautifully on a bed of multitracked choirs, percussion and piano, looping and caressing melody after melody without the use of obvious samples.

The whole album has an Operatic quality that could appeal to fans of show tunes, musicals and all that Lloyd Webber nonsense, but don’t let that put you off, Symbol is another great achievement from one of the best producers and ambient musicians working today.