Beauty Exclusive Review from "CMJ New Music Report"

Considering Ryuichi Sakamoto as the Quincy Jones of the new music set isn't as ludicrous as it may sound. Like his jazz/R & B/pop counterpart, Sakamoto has scored a host of motion pictures both in his native Japan and elsewhere, most notably the Academy Award-winning accompaniment to The Last Emperor. But Sakamoto is also comparable to Jones in the amount of respect he's commanded from his peers, an admiration and recognition of talent that enables him to enlist supporting casts that rival anyone. Ever since his days with the Yellow Magic Orchestra, the esteemed keyboardist and arranger has collaborated with a diverse and equally accomplished array of musicians, but Beauty just may be his ultimate coup. The input of Youssou N'Dour, Shankar, Nana Vasconcelos and Sly Dunbarensures a worldwide hybrid, but the vocals of Arto Lindsay, Brian Wilson, Robert Wyatt and Prince-prodigy Jill Jones (on the funk workout, "You Do Me"), make an exotic album even more eclectic. Factor in a continually shifting ensemble which, along with Japanese compatriots, features sessionmen like guitarist Eddie Martinez and bassist Pino Palladino, and you'll get a sense of the breadth of talent on display. Fortunately, Sakamoto's arrangement capabilities are up to the task; although it takes some time for all the elements to settle, sorting out an album as inventive as Beauty is a thoroughly intriguing and satisfying experience.

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