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Born in Kyoto, Japan, Yamashta studied music at Kyoto University and Berklee College of Music. His athletic and virtuoso percussion style came to prominence in the early 1970s when his work with the Red Buddha Theatre brought him to Europe. He teamed up with percussionist Morris Pert and members of his band Come To The Edge to record the album ‘Floating Music’ for Island Records in 1972. This was followed in 1973 by the release of the soundtrack album ‘The Man From The East’, which also featured Morris Pert and keyboard player Peter Robinson.

1976 would see Yamashta’s work reach an ever wider public thanks to his contribution to the soundtrack of the film The Man Who Fell To Earth (starring David Bowie) and the release of his concept album ‘Go’. The record saw him assemble a cast of outstanding musicians such as Steve Winwood (vocals, keyboards), Michael Shrieve (drums), Al Di Meola (guitar), Pat Thrall (guitar), Klaus Schulze (synthesisers) and Rosko Gee (bass).