Ryuichi Sakamoto and Alva Noto have collaborated on a new album, Summvs.

Set for CD release through Raster-Noton on May 9, it’s the duo’s fifth collaborative offering to date, and is billed as the final part in the series that began with 2002’s Vrioon. It’s characterised by Sakamoto’s haunting, minimalist piano lines and Noto’s electronic interventions. The three ‘Microon’ tracks apparently contain recordings of one of the 16 pianos in the world to use a 16th tone interval, built by the German company Sauter and currently housed in the music department of Berne University. There also not one but two instrumental interpretations of ‘By This River’, originally composed and recorded in ’77 by Eno, Roedelius and Moebius.

Japanese-born Ryuichi Sakamoto first rose to prominence as keyboardist with Yellow Magic Orchestra, before embarking on a hugely successful solo career. As well as working as an actor, he became a Hollywood film composer of great renown, earning an Oscar for his soundtrack work on Bertolucci’s The Last Emperor with David Byrne and Cong Su. Other notable Sakamoto collaborators include Fennesz, David Sylvian, Arto Lindsay, Brian Wilson, Iggy Pop and Thomas Dolby. Alva Noto is the chief musical alias of Carsten Nicolai – multi-disciplinary artist and co-founder of the Raster-Noton label.

The music of Summvs will be premiered on May 12 at London’s Roundhouse as part of the Short Circuit festival, with a European tour following in May/June.


Tracklist:
1. Microon I
2. Reverson
3. Halo
4. Microon II
5. Pionier IOO
6. Ionoscan
7. By This River
8. Naono
9. Microon III
10. By This River – Phantom