Yoko Kanno

By Alisha Stamper

ere's something about me: I was classically trained in flute and piano performance through my teen years. I competed in both. I scoffed (in many respects) at "modern" classical composers. They just weren't on the same level, to my not-completely-educated musical mind at the time. All of that changed when I started watching The Vision of Escaflowne and Cowboy Bebop—two animes (of many) that have soundtracks by the magnificent Yoko Kanno.

The Vision of Escaflowne is orchestral wonder. The interactions of the various instruments and her obvious prowess and ability to convey feeling and create a scene with her music are astounding. It is moving and uplifting. All the soundtracks (there are four) are wonderful, and I have favorite tracks on each, but if you're going for just one album, pick up OST 3. This album has the most cohesive feel, to me, in the sense that it focuses solely on the full orchestral arrangements of the themes and specific songs.

Cowboy Bebop is unbelievable jazz on its own, but when it is coupled with her ability as a classical composer, it makes me praise her even more. "Tank!" is the best known song from the series, but my favorite by far is "Call Me, Call Me," on OST Blue. It is still one of my favorite songs. It could be on repeat all day long, just that song (or the whole album, no skipping tracks here), and I would be completely happy.

Give Yoko Kanno a try. She's unbelievable... and has probably written one of those enigmatic commercial songs that Sarah was talking about with Kings of Convenience.