Japanese composer Susumu Yokota’s Symbol reissued

Created by sampling classical and ambient recordings by John Cage, Tchaikovsky, Meredith Monk, Prokofiev, and Debussy.

Composer and multi-instrumentalist Susumu Yokota’s Symbol album is being reissued on vinyl, via Lo Recordings this April.

On Symbol, Yokota diverged from his previous albums, to incorporate elements of classical music as well as compositions by ambient artists.

Across its 14 tracks, he combined samples from musicians including John Cage, Meredith Monk, Prokofiev, Tchaikovsky, and Debussy, with his own synth and programmed drum work.

Originally released in 2004 on his own Skintone imprint, Lo Recordings’ reissue of Symbol marks the album’s first international vinyl release.

The reissue features the original cover artwork, which comes from John William Waterhouse’s 1896 painting ‘Hylas and the Nymphs’, alongside new liner notes by Ben Eshmade and Tsutomu Noda.

It follows the release of Hito Steyerl’s Power Plants 12″, featuring music by Yokota alongside Kojey Radical.

Pre-order Symbol here in advance of its 8th April release, check out the artwork and tracklist below.

Tracklist:

2. Purple Rose Minuet

3. Traveler In The Wonderland

4. Song Of The Sleeping Forest

5. The Plateau Which The Zephyr Of Flora Occupies

6. Fairy Dance Of Twinkle And Shadow

7. Flaming Love And Destiny

8. The Dying Black Swan

9. Blue Sky And Yellow Sunflower

10. Capriccio And The Innovative Composer

11. I Close The Door Upon Myself

12. Symbol Of Life, Love And Aesthetics

13. Music From The Lake Surface

14. Symbol Of Life, Love And Aesthetics (Alternative Edit)