Ryuichi Sakamoto 'Playing the Orchestra' Box

Must have been 25 years ago when I stumbled upon this box in a record shop. It was heavily overpriced back then but I always wanted a copy. So I recently discovered one for sale on Discogs. This is the European version containing two compact discs: 5"CD album and 3"EP. The Japanese contained 3 discs if I am right.

The 5"CD album contains compositions from the Sakamoto catalogue arranged for orchestra, performed here by Tokyo Symphony Orchestra. Of course there's material from The Last Emperor and Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence. The color all together is trademark Sakamoto, his signature is present throughout all tunes ranging from romantic to dark, sometimes with heavy Japanese percussion accents. The 3"EP is also orchestral but rather experimental in sound and feel.

Beautiful designed by Shinro Ohtake the package is a true beauty, holding the discs, a short playlist and a poem/tribute from Sakamoto. When one shakes the box there's a rattling noise. I once read that these are little stones originating from Mount Fuji, however there's no proof of that.