#54 - Hiroshi Yoshimura - Green
Explore Hiroshi Yoshimura’s Green, a seminal work in Japanese ambient music that evokes the tranquil essence of the natural world.
Story Behind Green by Hiroshi Yoshimura
Released in 1986, Green is the fifth studio album by Japanese composer Hiroshi Yoshimura, a pioneer of ambient music in Japan. Known for his minimalist approach, Yoshimura crafted Green to encapsulate the serene beauty of nature through electronic soundscapes. The album was recorded at his home studio, Hiroo 806, during the winter of 1985-1986.
Green was initially released on vinyl in Japan. Subsequently, a U.S. CD version featured a different mix, incorporating ambient environmental sounds like rain and birds to appeal to the new age audience.
In 2020, Green was reissued by Light in the Attic Records, bringing renewed attention to Yoshimura's work and introducing it to a global audience.
Technical Details
Notes About Green by Hiroshi Yoshimura
Release Date: 1986
Recording Period: 1985–1986
Genre: Ambient, Minimalist
Label: Sona Gaia (original), Light in the Attic (reissue)
Producer: Hiroshi Yoshimura
Track Listing
CREEK
FEEL
SHEEP
SLEEP
GREEN
FEET
STREET
TEEVEE
All tracks were written and produced by Hiroshi Yoshimura.
Artist Details
Name: Hiroshi Yoshimura
Birth Date: October 22, 1940
Death Date: October 23, 2003
Origin: Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Genres: Ambient, Minimal, Environmental, Electronic
Instruments: Piano, Keyboard, Yamaha DX7, Yamaha TX7, Yamaha FB-01
Album Production Notes
Green was recorded at Yoshimura's private studio, Hiroo 806, in Tokyo. The compositions unfold at an unhurried pace, contrasting with the bustling life of Tokyo, and were created using Yamaha FM synthesizers, known for their crisp digital tones.
Interesting Facts about the Album and the Artist
Environmental Music Pioneer: Hiroshi Yoshimura is considered a pioneer of ambient music in Japan, often creating pieces that blend electronic melodies with natural sounds.
Reissue and Renewed Interest: The 2020 reissue of Green by Light in the Attic Records played a significant role in introducing Yoshimura's work to a broader, international audience.
Album Title Significance: Yoshimura noted that the title Green does not specifically refer to a color but conveys "the comfortable scenery of the natural cycle known as GREEN," encapsulating the soothing and warm sounds on the album.