Susumu Yokota

I wanted to list the classical music Susumu Yokota sampled for this album, but it got huge fast. He uses more than one piece per track, so let’s say if you are familiar with popular and not-so-popular classical music, you will recognise much of Symbol. But that’s only the beginning of what he’s done, because although the samples are there and prominent, they have been overlaid with percussion, female vocals and other synthetic sounds. It’s an amazing and unique record that recalls Brian Eno’s old variations on Pachelbel’s "Canon in D,” or the more modern work of Murcof, though this is much more accessible and less eerie. It’s ambient, relaxing and should bring a smile to your face as some of classical music’s best wash by in a thoroughly modern take.