Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra (東京スカパラダイ
スオーケストラ
Tōkyō Suka Paradaisu Ōkesutora),
commonly abbreviated by fans as Skapara or TSPO, is a
Japanese ska
and jazz
band officially formed in 1988 by the percussionist Asa-Chang, and initially composed of over 10
veterans of Tokyo's underground scene. At the time, the band's sound was
unlike that of any of its contemporaries in the then fledgling Japanese
ska scene, and over the course of the past 21 years, their innovation
has proved to have been very influential on Japanese music as a whole. Its sound, the product of the
musical influences of its numerous members, is an eclectic mix of
traditional ska,
jazz, and rock.
In the vein of many other more traditional ska acts, many of Skapara's
songs are purely instrumental. Since its inception, the band has gone on
several nationwide tours of Japan, and have toured extensively
worldwide. They have collaborated with several vocalists outside of
their band, including Shiina Ringo, Akira Kobayashi, Kyōko Koizumi, Schadaraparr, PUFFY and Tamio
Okuda. They also performed the Japanese theme song to the PlayStation
2 game Sly Cooper and the
Thievius Raccoonus, entitled Black Jack.
Band history
Early Beginnings
The band’s first release was 1989's eponymous six track EP, released
on vinyl by local independent label Kokusai Records. That record’s
acceptance, coupled with the band’s already notorious live shows, got
them a deal with Epic Records. At this time the 'classic' lineup
of the band included: Asa-Chang (percussions), Tsuyoshi Kawakami
(Bass), Tatsuyuki Aoki (drums), Yuichi Oki (keyoards), Marc Hayashi
(guitar), Tatsuyuki Hiyamuta (alto sax/agitate man), Gamo (tenor sax),
Atsushi Yanaka (baritone sax), Nargo (trumpet), Masahiko Kitahara
(trombone) and Cleanhead Gimura (vocals). Yuhei Takeuchi (alto sax) was
part of the original lineup, but left in 1990, though he has re-joined
the band live on several occasions.
1990s
Skapara's Intro (スカパラ登場)
was released in 1990, and includes their first big hit, Monster Rock.
Within a year, the band was playing Tokyo’s respected Budokan arena in
front of 10,000 screaming fans. After their second album, World
Famous (ワールドフェイマス),
original guitarist Marc Hayashi left the band and was replaced by Toru
Terashi. Their third album, Pioneers, marked the last recording
of the band with founder Asa-Chang, who decided to pursue a solo career.
Fantasia was recorded as a 10 piece with no permanent
replacement on percussion.
While the band worked on their fifth album, vocalist Cleanhead Gimura
lost his ongoing battle with brain cancer and died. Grand Prix
was released in 1995 as a tribute to the singer. This record continued
the band’s progression into a more pop-oriented sound, and it featured a
number of guest musicians and singers. As far as live performances,
Tatsuyuki Hiyamuta essentially became the front-man for the band, though
it should be noted that depending on the specific piece being played,
any of the band's members can be front man or singer.
1996 saw the release of Tokyo Strut (トーキョースト
ラット),
which toned back the pop stylings of Grand Prix. This marked the
first appearance on record of new percussionist Hajime Ohmori. During
the band’s visit to Thailand, Alto Sax/Agitate Man Tatsuyuki Hiyamuta
was involved a motorcycle accident, suffering damage to his legs. He
missed out on some shows, but after recovery decided to continue
performing, in many cases carrying a cane, or just sitting down while
playing. Shortly thereafter Toru Terashi left the band.
After this album, the band decided to leave Epic Records, as there
was a feeling that the label had not been able to properly convert their
popularity into record sales. They signed with indie label Avex Trax,
who also created an exclusive imprint for Skapara, Justa Record. The
band recruited Rui Sugimura (brother of Cleanhead Gimura) as a full-time
singer. This would become the band’s most prolific period, with a
number of releases, including the Arkestra album, various 12” and
7” records (which included remixes from Arkestra songs as well
as completely new tracks), the Hinotama Jive EP, the soundtrack
to the video game Incredible Crisis, and several tribute album appearances.
The band embarked on an ambitious tour of Japan (documented on the DVD Ska
Evangelists on the Run). Since no official guitarist had been hired
yet, they toured with the two guitarists that worked on the album:
Takashi Kato (of Lost Candi) and 會田茂一 (of El Malo).
During the Arkestra tour, original drummer Tatsuyuki Aoki died
in a train accident. He was temporarily replaced by Tatsuya Nakamura (Blankey Jet City and Losalios). At
the end of the tour, Kin-Ichi Motegi (ex-Fishmans)
also filled in. Rui Sugimura left in mid 1999 as well. Takashi Kato
became a permanent member of the band.
2000s
2000’s Full
Tension Beaters was a full on Ska record, and their first album to
be released outside of Asia (by Grover Records
in Germany). Even though Motegi was still working as support drummer
during this recording, it was the first record with the band’s most
stable line-up, consisting of Yanaka, Gamo, Nargo, Kitahara and Hiyamuta
on the horn section, Oki on keyboards, Kawakami on Bass, Ohmori on
percussions, Kato on guitar and Motegi on drums. The lineup would remain
the same until 2008.
For their next record, Stomping on Downbeat Alley, the band
invited three guest singers: Yusuke Chiba (Thee Michelle Gun Elephant), Tajima Takao
(Original Love, Pizzicato Five) and Tamio
Okuda (Unicorn). The album and singles were
a huge success and a gig at Yokohama Arena (with all three guest
singers) was released as Downbeat Arena. The band also embarked
on a European tour which was documented on the DVD Catch the Rainbow.
High Numbers was a more low-profile release, having mostly
instrumental tracks, along with Kin-Ichi Motegi’s first lead vocal
track, "Ginga to Meiro". 2004’s Answer was a similar affair.
For 2006’s Wild Peace, the band once again recruited three
guest vocalists: Chara, Hanaregumi,
and Hiroto Komoto (The High-Lows). As with Downbeat Alley
these singles became huge hits, and the band also recorded a DVD at the
final show for the tour, with all three singers. They once again toured
Europe with this record. The DVD Smile was released to document
this tour.
Perfect Future soon followed, with more jazz leanings, and
only one guest vocalist, Fumio Ito (of Kemuri).
Kin-Ichi Motegi also recorded a vocal track for this album. A few months
after the release of Perfect Future, Tatsuyuki Hiyamuta decided
to officially leave the band in order to concentrate on healing his
legs, due to the accident suffered in 1996. This leaves a big void in
the band’s live performance, as Hiyamuta’s role was that of agitate man,
talking to crowds and essentially operating as front man. The band has
decided not to replace him, thereby remaining as a nine piece.
In early 2009 Paradise Blue was released, with the first
line-up difference in almost a decade. This marks the 20th anniversary
since the band’s first EP was released, and they have been busy touring
Japan in support of the album.
2010 saw the release of World Ska Symphony, featuring guest
vocals from Tamio Okuda, Crystal
Kay, and Kazuyoshi
Saito.
Members
Current
-
Nargo (Kimiyoshi Nagoya) on trumpet (Original Member)
-
Masahiko Kitahara on trombone (Original Member)
-
Gamou on tenor saxophone, Soprano Saxophone (Original Member)
-
-
Tsuyoshi Kawakami on bass (Original Member)
-
Takashi Kato on guitar (Joined 1998)
-
Yuichi Oki on keyboards (Original Member)
-
Hajime Ohmori on percussion (Joined 1996)
-
Former
- Yuhei Takeuchi on Soprano Sax, Flute (left 4/1990)
- Masayuki "MARC" Hayashi on Guitar (left 6/1992)
- Asa-Chang on percussion (left 3/1993)
- Left the band in order to pursue other projects.
- Cleanhead
Gimura on vocals (died 4/23/1995)
- The band's frontman. Died following a battle with brain cancer.
- Toru Terashi on guitar (joined 7/1993, left 1/1998)
- Rui Sugimura on vocals (joined 2/1998, left 2/1999)
- Tatsuyuki Aoki
on Drums
(died 5/2/1999)
- Killed in a rail accident.
- Tatsuyuki Hiyamuta on Alto Saxophone, Guitar
(left 7/17/2008)
- Left to focus on healing and recovery from an injury received to his right foot in Thailand from a motorcycle accident in 1996 that had been hindered by constant travel and performances. He has expressed interest in returning after his recovery has been completed.
Discography/Works
Studio albums
- Skapara's Intro (スカパラ登場) - (05/01/1990 Epic Records)
- Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra (東京スカパラダイスオーケストラ) - (12/01/1990 Epic Records) Re-issue on Epic Records of the debut 12".
- World Famous (ワールドフェイマス) - (06/21/1991 Epic Records)
- Pioneers - (03/21/1993 Epic Records)
- Fantasia - (04/21/1994 Epic Records)
- Grand Prix - (06/21/1995 Epic Records)
- Tokyo Strut (トーキョー・ストラット) - (09/02/1996 Epic Records)
- Arkestra - (8/26/1998 Avex Trax)
- Full-Tension Beaters - (07/26/2000 Avex Trax) (07/04/2003 Grover Records)
- Stompin' On Down Beat Alley - (05/22/2002 Cutting Edge)
- High Numbers - (03/05/2003 Cutting Edge)
- Answer - (03/09/2005 Cutting Edge)
- Wild Peace - (6/7/06 Cutting Edge)
- Perfect Future - (3/26/08 Cutting Edge)
- Paradise Blue - (2/4/09 Cutting Edge)
- World Ska Symphony - (3/10/10 Cutting Edge)
- Goldfingers - (Mini-Album 10/27/2010 Cutting Edge)
- Walkin' - (3/21/2012 Avex Entertainment)
Singles
- Monster Rock - (04/21/1990 Epic Records)
- Countdown To Glory (栄光へのカウントダウン) - (01/21/1991 Epic Records)
- Hole in One (ホールインワン) - (06/21/1991 Epic Records)
- World Famous Remix - 12/25/1991 Epic Records)
- Burning Scale - (12/02/1992 Epic Records)
- Tiger of Marai (マライの號) - (05/01/1993 Epic Records)
- Gold Rush - (08/21/1993 Epic Records)
- Happening (ハプニング) - (10/23/1993 Epic Records)
- Blue Mermaid (ブルーマーメイド) - (12/12/1993 Epic Records))
- Happy Go Lucky - (09/07/1994 Epic Records)
- Tokyo Deluxe (東京デラックス) - (01/21/1995 Epic Records)
- Watermelon - (04/28/1995 Epic Records)
- Jam - (07/21/1995 Epic Records)
- Rock Monster Strikes Back - (07/21/1996)
- Hurry Up!! - (04/21/1997 Epic Records)
- Does Love Exist? (愛があるかい？) - (04/22/1998 Avex Trax)
- Dear My Sister - (07/08/1998 Avex Trax)
- Hinotama Jive (火の玉ジャイヴ) - (05/12/1999 Avex Trax)
- Devote to the Battle Melody (戦場に捧げるメロディー) - (11/17/1999 Avex Trax)
- Filmmakers Bleed ~Decisive Battle on the Summit~ (フィルムメイカーズ・ブリード～頂上決戦～) - (06/21/2000 Cutting Edge)
- Peeled Orange (めくれたオレンジ) - (08/08/2001 Cutting Edge)
- Great Singing Bird Sky (カナリヤ鳴く空) - (12/12/2001 Cutting Edge)
- Beautiful Burning Forest (美しく燃える森) - (02/14/2002 Cutting Edge)
- The Galaxy and Maze (銀河と迷路) - (02/05/2003 Cutting Edge)
- A Quick Drunkard - (06/04/2003 Cutting Edge)
- Map of the Vorld (世界地図) - (05/25/2004 Cutting Edge)
- Stroke of Fate - (07/08/2004 Cutting Edge)
- Farewell My Friend (さらば友よ) - (2004 Cutting Edge) Limited edition sold only at ANSWER TOUR concert venues
- Tsuioku no Lilac (迫憶のライラック) - (12/14/2005 Cutting Edge)
- The Sapphire Star (サファイアの星) - (02/15/2006 Cutting Edge)
- The Star Spangled Night (星降る夜に) - (05/10/2006 Cutting Edge)
- KinouKyouAshita - (10/07/2009 Cutting Edge)
- Ryusei to Ballade (流星とバラード)- (1/27/2010 Cutting Edge)
- Break into the Light～約束の帽子～／The Sharing Song～トリコのテーマ～（3/16/2011 Cutting Edge）
- Sunny Side of the Street (All Good Ska is One/Twinkle Star~Tayorino Hoshi~) (8/3/2011 Avex)
Vinyl Releases
- Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra (東京スカパラダイスオーケストラ) 12" - (1989 Kokusai Records)
- Skapara's Intro (スカパラ登場) - (1990 Epic Records)
- World Famous (ワールドフェイマス) LP - (06/21/1991 Epic Records)
- World Famous Remix 12" - (10/28/1991 Epic Records)
- Just a Little Bit of Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra (04/21/1994)
- Happening (ハプニング) 12" - (1995 Epic Records)
- Fantasia - (1995 Epic Records) Promo 12" with selections from Fantasia
- Rock Monster Strikes Back 12" - (08/13/96 Epic Records)
- The Movin' Dub (On the Whole Red Satellites) 7" - (1998 Justa Record)
- Jon Lord 7" - (1998 Justa Record)
- One Night 12" - (1998 Justa Record)
- Ska Jerk 12" - (1998 Justa Record)
- Abracadabra 12" - (1998 Justa Record)
- Ring O' Fire 12" - (1998 Justa Record)
- Jazzie Speaks 12" - (1999 Justa Record)
- Theme of Lupin III Pt. I & II 12" - (2000 Justa Record)
- Best(1989～1997) LP (11/07/2002 Epic Records)
- Afro Art Remixes 12" - (12/2002 Afro Art Records)
- Downbeat Selector 7" Box Set- (2002 Cutting Edge) The 4 Downbeat Alley singles on vinyl.
- High Numbers LP - (03/05/2003 Cutting Edge)
- Full-Tension Beaters LP - (07/04/2003 Grover Records)
Collaborations / Splits
- Oka o Koete (with Kyōko Koizumi) (1990 Victor Entertainment)
- Akira Bushi Akira no Jin to Paradise (with Akira Kobayashi) (1995)
- Watermelon (with Yukihiro Takahashi (高橋幸宏 )) (04/28/1995 Epic Records)
- Beauty & Stupid Tokyo Ska Version (music for hide) (1996)
- Decameron (with Naoto Takenaka) (1997)
- Spanish Hustle (with Malawi Rocks) 12" (2000 Justa Record)
- Mayonaka wa Junketsu (with Ringo Shiina) (2001)
- Hazumu Rhythm (ハズムリズム)(with Puffy[disambiguation needed]) (2006)
- L-O-V-E (with Rico Rodriguez) (2006)
- Secret Code (with KinKi Kids) (2008)
Live albums
- Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra Live (東京スカパラダイスオーケストラライブ) (03/21/1991 Epic Records)
- Gunslingers -Live Best- (03/14/2001 Avex Trax)
- On Tour (02/04/2004 Cutting Edge)
- Perfect Future: Live at Montreux Jazz Festival (3/26/08 Cutting Edge) (bonus live cd with first pressing of Perfect Future)
Comp Tracks / Tributes
- Respectable Roosters - A Tribute To The Roosters: "Rosie" (1999)
- Welcome to the Plastic World: "Cards" (1999)
- Ska Stock: Tribute to the Skatalites: "Shot in the Dark" (studio version)
- Punch the Monkey Vol II: "Lupin the 3rd '78" (1999)
- Tribute to Yellow Magic Orchestra: "Simoon" (2004)
- Tribute to Haruomi Hosono: "アブソリュート・エゴ・ダンス" (2007)
- Sirius〜Tribute to UEDA GEN〜: "-6m" (2008)
- Tribute to Unicorn: "I'm A Loser" (2007)
DVD
- Ska Evangelists On the Run Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra 1998>>1999 - (03/29/2000 Avex)
- Down Beat Selector (09/04/2002 Cutting Edge)
- Down Beat Arena～Yokohama Arena (Down Beat Arena～横浜アリーナ7.7.2002(完全版) - (07/7/2002 Cutting Edge)
- Europe Tour 2003 Road-Move DVD (Catch the Rainbow (Europe Tour 2003 ロード・ムーヴィーDVD「Catch the Rainbow」) - (03/03/2004 Cutting Edge)
- Skapara at Cabaret (スカパラatキャバレー) - (03/10/2004 Epic)
- Live Grand Prix - (03/10/2004 Epic)
- 18540617 - (03/10/2004 Epic)
- 15th Anniversary Live Since Debut 2004.10.22 - (01/01/2005 Cutting Edge)
- Wild Peace Tour Final @ Saitama Super Arena (Wild Peace Tour Final @ さいたまスーパーアリーナ) - (05/3/2007 Cutting Edge)
- Smile- A Film by Koichi Makino - (09/12/2007 Cutting Edge)
- and TOKYO SKA goes on... - (3/10/2010 Cutting Edge)
- Tokyo Ska Paradise Kokugikan & Tokyo Ska Paradise Taiikukan Live - (12/12/2010 Cutting Edge)
Videos
- Skapara Video (スカパラビデオ) - (12/01/1991 Epic)
- Osamu's Amazing Songs (音曲の乱) - (03/25/1992 Epic)
- TOKYOSKA: Everytime We Say Goodbye - (08/08/1992 Epic)
- World Series from Tokyo Ska - (02/12/1992 Epic)
- Skapara at Cabaret (スカパラatキャバレー) - (12/12/1993 Epic)
- Live Fantasia - (04/21/1994 Epic)
- Video Fantasia - (04/21/1994 Epic)
- Live Grand Prix -(12/01/1995 Epic)
- 18540617 - (11/21/1997 Epic)
- Ska Evangelists On the Run Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra 1998-1999 - (11/17/1999 Avex)
Soundtracks
- Tokyo Deluxe Original Soundtrack (東京デラックスオリジナルサウンドトラック) (1995)
- Incredible Crisis! Original Soundtrack (とんでもクライシス！オリジナルサウンドトラック) (1999)
- New Moral Battle Homicide Original Soundtrack (新仁義なき戦い謀殺オリジナルサウンドトラック) (2003)
- HEROES (One Piece 3D Movie Soundtrack)- (3/16/2011 Cutting Edge)
Band Compilations
- gifted WINTER SELECTION (12/01/1993 Epic Records)
- JUST A LITTLE BIT OF TOKYO SKA PARADISE ORCHESTRA (vinyl)(04/21/1994)
- THE BEST SELECTION (THE BEST SELECTION (タイ盤）(rare) (1996)
- MOODS FOR TOKYO SKA: WE DON'T KNOW WHAT SKA IS (11/21/1997 Epic Records)
- JUSTA RECORD COMPILATION Vol.1 (07/23/1999 Avex Trax)
- BEST(1989～1997) (11/07/2002 Epic Records)
- SKA ME CRAZY: THE BEST Of TSPO (03/14/2005 Anagram Records)
- Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra: Best of Tokyo Ska 1998~2007 - 26 songs selected by Kin-ichi Motegi (03/21/2007 Cutting Edge)
Side projects
Tsuyoshi Kawakami and His Mood Makers
(Tsuyoshi Kawakami, Nargo, Hajime Ohmori)
- Tsuyoshi Kawakami and His Mood Makers (川上つよしと彼のムードメイカーズ) - 2001.12.12
- Moodmaker's mood - 2003.08.06
- Floatin Mood - 2004.07.28
- Sparklin' Mood - 2004.12.01
Sembello
(Yuichi Oki)
- Sembellogy - 2003.08.06
- The Second Album - 2004.11.25
- Kairos - 2006.06.07
Speed King
(TSPO + Fantastic Plastic Machine
+ Dr Ys + KMP + OCHICHY)
- SPEED KING - 2000.02.21
Losalios
(Takashi Kato)
- Sekaichizuwa Chinoato - 1999.11.10
- Colorado Shit Dog - 2002.05.01
- School Of High Sense - 2002.10.26
- The End Of The Beauty - 2003.09.03
- ゆうれい船長がハナシてくれた こと - 2005.05.25
Fishmans
(Kin-Ichi Motegi) See Fishmans Page
Sfkuank
(Nargo & Masahiko Kitahara)
- Sfkuank!!- 2005.12.14
- Stand Up Pleeeease!!- 2006.10.18
Compilations Curated By Band Members
- Frank Zappa Compiler - 1999
- Big Bang Blow: Japanese Jazz selected By Nargo, M.Kitahara & Gamo of TSPO - 2003
- JUSTA RECORD presents: 'The 3rd Era of Ska~EURO AUTHENTIC SKA COLLECTION' - 2004.07.28
- JUSTA RECORD presents: 'The 3rd Era of Ska~NORTH AMERICAN SKA COLLECTION' - 2005.03.30
See also
External links
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