What's your favorite anime composer?

[Meracanus]

I want to hear who all your favorite anime composers are. And tell me what you think of their work and why. Also, just because you like that composer's work doesn't necessarily mean you A) Liked all of it, and if so, tell me why you didn't like that one or two songs, hell maybe even a whole soundtrack, and B) maybe you like an artist but haven't heard all his / her work. If so, I want to get some recommendations going too.

For instance, I'm a major Yuki Kajiura fan, but perhaps you've only heard her work in Noir or .Hack//Sign. If so, then I can safely and assuredly recommend the Madlax soundtrack as well. That is, if you liked her work in those.

So, in sum please put:

Your favorite composer
Why you like their style / technique / method
And anything else which makes you like 'em. (Hot or not, hahaha )

Oh, and for the record. I think both Yoko Kanno and Yuki Kajiura are the best, simply because they are two of the most prolific composers, and I think their ability to make their music fit any ethnic or temporal setting is spectacular. Following close behind is definitely Kenji Kawai. I'll never forget his work in Ghost In The Shell.