Joe Hisaishi – Sonatine ソナチネ

2025 EU Limited Edition Vinyl.

WRWTFWW Records is honored to announce the first ever vinyl release of Joe Hisaishi’s original soundtrack for the critically acclaimed and all around classic 1993 Japanese yakuza/crime/thriller movie Sonatine. The legendary album comes in a limited edition housed in a luxurious heavyweight sleeve with selective varnish printing and a special paper obi belt.

The celebrated Sonatine was directed, written and edited by Takeshi Kitano, who also takes center stage as the main protagonist of the thrilling yakuza film. Director, screenwriter, comedian, actor, tv personality and icon, 'Beat' Takeshi is also known for Boiling Point, Hana-Bi, Battle Royale, Johnny Mnemonic, Ghost in the Shell and many many more.

Considered one of the greatest ever, Joe Hisaishi is a composer, musical director, conductor and pianist behind over 100 film scores including Kitano’s A Scene at the Sea, Kikujiro, and Brother, as well as his famed work for director and animator Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli masterpieces Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke and the list goes on. Little known fact: his first ever produced-album is a collaboration with percussionist Midori Takada (Through the Looking Glass): MKWAJU Ensemble’s MKAWJU also released on WRWTFWW Records.

The Sonatine movie score showcases the composer’s more contemplative, minimalistic, and intimate side in a superb and deeply evocative neo-classical and ambient musical journey. The depth and emotional resonance of the compositions make for an exceptional and timeless soundtrack. It is known to be one of Hisaishi’s own favorites.
Tracklist:    
A1        Sonatine I ~Act Of Violence~    3:42
A2        Light And Darkness    6:48
A3        Play On The Sands    4:43
A4        Rain After That    0:27
A5        A On The Fullmoon Of Mystery    2:28
A6        Into A Trance    3:17
A7        Sonatine II ~In The Beginning~    6:34
B1        Magic Mushroom    2:51
B2        Eye Witness    5:27
B3        Runaway Trip    1:32
B4        Möbius Band    4:46
B5        Die Out Of Memories    2:53
B6        See You...    1:58
B7        Sonatine III ~Be Over~    3:46