Stephen Mejias

Shintaro Sakamoto: How to Live With a Phantom

Stephen Mejias  |  Mar 30, 2012

I knew nothing about Shintaro Sakamoto, but there was just no way I could have resisted such provocative album art or a title like How to Live With a Phantom. Good thing I didn’t.

Sakamoto creates a strange but lovely mood with elements of funk, soft rock, and smooth jazz, and touches of psychedelia, tropicalia, and salsa. We get two sides of album cuts and two sides of groovy, laid-back instrumentals. I can’t decide which I enjoy more. The lyrics are sung, mostly, in Japanese. Though I can’t understand the words, and am therefore missing out on even greater levels of pleasure, my ignorance doesn’t keep me from dancing. Like a breakdancing cat-man.

Here’s the video for “You Just Decided.”

Decided what? I wonder. To get down, I guess.

The double-LP is housed in an attractive gatefold jacket. The sound throughout is open and colorful.

COMMENTS
popluhv's picture
Submitted by popluhv on March 30, 2012 - 11:38am

I love buying music when I have no idea who the artist or label is. It's a surprisingly successful endeavor. My favourite find through this method was Antartica's 81:03. 

atmnyc's picture
Submitted by atmnyc on April 5, 2012 - 8:41am

Great music, where'd you buy the record? Will check Other Music for this one, hope I find it there!

Stephen Mejias's picture
Submitted by Stephen Mejias on April 5, 2012 - 9:45am

Glad you like it. Yes, I bought my copy at Other Music.

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