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The CD arrived in great condition, just like new (even though it was a used CD from 1995). Regarding the music on the CD, Smoochy by Ryuichi Sakamoto is an amazing album that transports the listener to a posh, sophisticated world of jazz, classical, and electronic that no longer exists. Play it and escape to a dark nightclub on the top floor of an ultramodern skyscraper, with warm, glowing lights in the bar and a view of mid-1990s Tokyo in all directions.
My reviews are biased, I buy what I love and then I review it. At least I'm honest about that. Hence, you can beleive my reviews too. Ryuichi Sakamoto is fan-friggin-tastic. He's got a ton of stuff out - many different genres and styles. All of it good. He's super creative compositionally, a subtle beauty infuses everything he does. I call it Asian Cool. It's the future of cool. Get in now.......listen to Neo Geo, the collabos with Morlenbaum and David Sylvian, Dig him you will stay Dug!
This album has a very romantic feel to it, so be cautious in listening to it around your buddies. However, from a compositional perspective, it is a masterpiece. Ryuichi is a truly gifted musician and never ceases to amaze me with his variety of sounds. Personally, this is the type of album that I would keep in a vault and whip it out when I need to create a sexy or intimate atmosphere. If you're a fan of Ryuichi Sakamoto, I would highly recommend this. If you're new to him, i'd recommend checking out some of his other projects before experiencing this one.
Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2009
It was a good review of Smoochy in some newspaper that led me to make the purchase - and become a Sakamoto fan. I've listened to a lot of his work, loving the variety of musical genres he creates in, his refreshing ability to be off-center and unique. What he does so incredibly well in Smoochy is layer sounds, from the prominent melody, to the supporting instrumentation, to all these weird understated, underlying sounds and voices that makes the CD so interesting and, well, life-like. Is there music that guides us through our patterns as human beings, or does life create the melodies? The variety of songs and languages is also impressive here as Sakamoto goes from lush, vibrant pop songs to smooth tango to upbeat and playful techno beats to beautiful, aching classical pieces. This is Sakamoto at the top of his game, giving us a lush, broad look at all his incredible abilities as a musician and songwriter.
This is by far the best pop work from Ryuichi...Smoochy has sounds that bring the idea of Neo Geo to beautiful fruition, more than just throwing the idea around as an artistic ploy without support. The soundscapes traverse both hemispheres, from the distant "paradise" to the more familiar park in your neighborhood. The main themes here aren't without human concern either. The pathos and inevitability of life cycles, cooling of warm hearts, the seductive yet ultimately alienating mode of electronic communication...put simply I haven't been able to put away this disc for 2 months! Next to Smoochy you might like to try his 1989 Beauty, which is a lot more understated than the melodic Smoochy. Great vocal from Ryuichi as well.
Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2004
this is a really a great sound. I don't know enough about music technically to say why it sounds so great but it does. you want to sway to the music and enter a nice mellow space.
Smoochy is one of my favorite albums. It's very laid-back and relaxing, without being boring. You'll probably find yourself swaying along with most of the songs on this CD... my favorite track is #1, Bibo no Aozora. It's a sexy album.
Non parole ma vibrazioni di cute ed animo in questo magnifico album.La maestria di chi inalato di cultura multietnica riesce a trasdurre lo stesso al suo ascoltatore. Rara maestria direttiva. La perfetta armonia del disordine e del caos passionale.
Ottimo album in cui l'eclettico Sakamoto si esprime in forma lounge pop colorandola di bossa Nova e influenze latino americane. Arrivo nei tempi previsti dell'articolo conforme
Ryuichi Sakamoto made several popsier albums by the end of the last century. This one is the best. With a touch of jazz, moody melodies and tasteful vocal arrangements - that's how maestro of japanese piano music and composition see a perfect pop record. Smoochy is an ideal album for aquaintance with Sakamoto. Most of the other albums are too sophisticated to start with.
'Talking about music is like dancing about architecture"......If you like Sakamoto's Japanese-tinged Neo Geo and Beauty, with it heir World rhythms,and Okinawan female vocals, then avoid this album as it has neither of these elements. That's all I'll say, nothing more.
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