Haruomi Hosoni is a seminal figure in the Japanese music scene, whose influence stretches across genres and generations. Born on July 9, 1947, in Tokyo, Japan, Hosono has carved out a singular path as a musician, songwriter, producer, and bassist with a career that spans more than five decades. He is widely recognized for his pioneering work in electronic music, as well as for blending traditional Japanese sounds with Western styles such as pop, rock, and funk.

Hosono gained prominence in the late 1960s and early 1970s as a member of the influential band Happy End, which was instrumental in creating a uniquely Japanese take on rock music. In the mid-1970s, he further cemented his status as a trailblazer by embracing electronic music, releasing the album "Cochin Moon" that incorporated exotic soundscapes and synthesized melodies, which was ahead of its time. His relentless innovation continued as he co-founded the technopop band Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO) in the late 1970s, alongside Ryuichi Sakamoto and Yukihiro Takahashi, which achieved significant success both domestically and internationally.

Beyond his work with bands, Haruomi Hosono has cultivated a rich solo career marked by an eclectic array of releases that defy easy categorization. His discography features a wide range of sounds—from the exotica-infused “Paraiso” to the ambient experiments in “Watering a Flower”—demonstrating his versatile production skills and his wide-ranging musical interests. Albums such as "NO SMOKING" and "HOCHONO HOUSE" evidence his continual evolution as an artist, while "Music for Films 2020-2021" and soundtrack works like "Malu_Yumeji Original Soundtrack" showcase his talents in composing for visual media. His recent projects, including live albums like "America / Hosono Haruomi Live in US 2019" and singles such as "Turquois,” "Undercurrent," and "ぎゅ," continue to push boundaries and solidify Hosono's legacy as a dynamic force in contemporary music.

Genres

Classic J-rock

Japanese Folk

Japanese Psychedelic

Japanese Singer-songwriter

Japanese Soundtrack

Proto-techno

Related Artists

Ryuichi Sakamoto

Joe Hisaishi

Yukihiro Takahashi

YELLOW MAGIC ORCHESTRA

Akiko Yano

Cornelius

Yumi Arai

Mariya Takeuchi

CASIOPEA

Kitaro

Shigeru Umebayashi

Hiroshi Yoshimura

Latest Release

My Love is Peach-Colored

Haruomi Hosono•

Sam Gendel

Single - Released September 18, 2024