RYUICHI SAKAMOTO, ALVA NOTO — 12 Conversations LP 2x12"

Ryuichi Sakamoto & Alva Noto – 12 Conversations LP arrives on NOTON as catalogue N-068-2, a 2×12-inch vinyl set that documents sixteen pieces drawn from twelve improvisational encounters recorded in late 2022. Positioned at the intersection of IDM, beats techno, ambient techno and pop-techno, the record offers a rare glimpse into the final dialogic moments between two of contemporary electronic music’s most incisive collaborators. Within NOTON’s recent output, 12 Conversations follows the Xerrox re-master series (catalogues N-065-2, N-066-2, N-067-2, N-062-2) and precedes the forthcoming twin soundtracks LICHTSTIMME (N-070-2) and SCHATTENSTIMME (N-071-2). The label’s 2026 schedule thus frames this release between a series of re-examined archival works and a pair of new cinematic projects, underscoring NOTON’s commitment to both reflection and forward-looking experimentation. Side A opens with “Conversation 1”, establishing the premise of an open exchange rather than a conventional song structure. “Conversation 2” continues the unfolding dialogue, deepening the interplay of acoustic resonance and digital texture. The third piece, “Conversation 3”, previously issued as a single in July 2026, provides an accessible entry point while retaining the ambient, electro-acoustic ambience that permeates the set. “Conversation 4” and “Conversation 5” extend the first half of the record, each presenting another stage in the responsive back-and-forth that defines the project. Side B begins with “Conversation 6”, the second advance single released in August 2026, marking the start of the record’s second half. “Conversation 7” introduces a vocal element from Emma Maeda, adding a textual layer that complements the otherwise instrumental focus. “Conversation 8” concludes the initial sequence before the expansive “Conversation 9” unfolds across five contiguous parts (I–V). This five-part suite occupies the majority of the D-side, offering a sectional journey that can be experienced as a continuous passage or as discrete moments, depending on the listener’s approach. The final trio—“Conversation 10”, “Conversation 11” and “Conversation 12”—bring the record to its close, each maintaining the neutral titling that emphasizes process over narrative. In the context of the artists’ discographies, the release follows Sakamoto’s recent output on WeWantSounds (Coda, Esperanto, Hidari Ude No Yume) and the NOTON re-master of Revep (N-053-2). For Alva Noto, it sits amid a prolific 2026 period that includes the forthcoming LICHTSTIMME and SCHATTENSTIMME, as well as the earlier Wave Weave – Sono Obi and the Xerrox series. The timing highlights a moment where both creators revisit past collaborations while simultaneously pushing their shared language into new, intimate territory. From a contemporary underground perspective, 12 Conversations serves as both a document of a concluding creative chapter and a testament to the vitality of the Sakamoto–Noto partnership. The recordings, made just months before Sakamoto’s passing in March 2023, are framed not as a memorial but as an ongoing conversation, emphasizing curiosity and experimental exchange over elegiac sentiment. For DJs and collectors, the record offers multiple entry points. “Conversation 3” and “Conversation 6” function as concise, rhythmically engaging pieces suitable for set transitions, while the extended “Conversation 9” suite provides a modular framework for longer, evolving sections. The presence of a vocal line in “Conversation 7” adds a rare lyrical texture that can be layered in more melodic contexts. The overall sequencing—paired with the neutral titling—encourages listeners to treat each piece as a modular element, adaptable to a range of set constructions from intimate club rooms to larger festival stages. The physical format is a 2×12-inch vinyl release, aligning with NOTON’s tradition of presenting expansive works across multiple discs to preserve dynamic range and sequencing integrity. The double-LP layout allows each conversation to breathe, giving DJs the flexibility to cue individual sides or to run the record straight through for a continuous listening experience. Ryuichi Sakamoto & Alva Noto – 12 Conversations, NOTON, catalogue N-068-2, 2×12-inch vinyl, sixteen tracks, IDM/ambient-techno/beat-techno hybrid, scheduled for 18 September 2026. Tracklist: A1. Ryuichi Sakamoto & Alva Noto – 1: Conversation A2. Ryuichi Sakamoto & Alva Noto – 2: Conversation A3. Ryuichi Sakamoto & Alva Noto – 3: Conversation A4. Ryuichi Sakamoto & Alva Noto – 4: Conversation A5. Ryuichi Sakamoto & Alva Noto – 5: Conversation A6. Ryuichi Sakamoto & Alva Noto – 6: Conversation A7. Ryuichi Sakamoto & Alva Noto – 7: Conversation A8. Ryuichi Sakamoto & Alva Noto – 8: Conversation A9. Ryuichi Sakamoto & Alva Noto – 9: Conversation Part I A10. Ryuichi Sakamoto & Alva Noto – 10: Conversation 9 Part II A11. Ryuichi Sakamoto & Alva Noto – 11: Conversation 9 Part III A12. Ryuichi Sakamoto & Alva Noto – 12: Conversation 9 Part IV A13. Ryuichi Sakamoto & Alva Noto – 13: Conversation 9 Part V A14. Ryuichi Sakamoto & Alva Noto – 14: Conversation 10 A15. Ryuichi Sakamoto & Alva Noto – 15: Conversation 11 A16. Ryuichi Sakamoto & Alva Noto – 16: Conversation 12