Casiopea is a Japanese jazz-fusion band founded by guitarist Issei Noro; its 1980s Alfa recordings, especially the live album Mint Jams (1982), are pillars of the instrumental side of city pop.[1]
History
Noro formed the band with bassist Tetsuo Sakurai in 1976, and it debuted on Alfa Records in 1979.[1] The classic line-up of Noro, Minoru Mukaiya (keyboards), Sakurai and Akira Jimbo (drums) recorded throughout the 1980s; Eyes of the Mind (1981), produced by Harvey Mason, was their first album made in the United States, and 4x4 (1982) featured Lee Ritenour and Nathan East.[1]
Mint Jams
Recorded live in Tokyo in February 1982, Mint Jams was named best album of the year by the jazz magazines Adlib and Jazzlife and helped launch tours of Europe and the U.S.[1] Sakurai and Jimbo left in 1989 to form Jimsaku.[1] Yurie Kokubu later sang in Shambara, a band formed by the pair.[2]
Discography
Studio albums
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Casiopea | Alfa |
| 1979 | Super Flight | Alfa |
| 1980 | Make Up City | Alfa |
| 1981 | Eyes of the Mind (Produced by Harvey Mason) | Alfa |
| 1981 | Cross Point | Alfa |
| 1982 | Mint Jams (Live) | Alfa |
| 1982 | 4x4 | Alfa |
| 1983 | Photographs | Alfa |
| 1983 | Jive Jive | Alfa |
| 1984 | Down Upbeat | — |
| 1985 | Halle | — |
| 1986 | Sun Sun | — |
| 1987 | Platinum | — |
| 1988 | Euphony | — |
References
- “Casiopea”. Wikipedia. Retrieved 11 October 2026.
- “Yurie Kokubu”. Wikipedia. Retrieved 11 October 2026.
In the catalogue · 17
Super Flight
1979 · ALR-6029
Thunder Live
1980 · ALR-6037
Make Up City
1980 · ALR-28007
Cross Point
1981 · ALR-28029
Eyes Of The Mind
1981 · ALR-28016
Casiopea
1981 · ALR-6017
Mint Jams
1982 · ALR-20002
4 X 4 (Four By Four)
1982 · ALR-28045
Jive Jive
1983 · ALR-28052
Photographs
1983 · ALR-28049
Down Upbeat
1984 · ALR-28063
Halle
1985 · ALR-28071
Sun Sun
1986 · ALR-28085
Platinum
1987 · 28MX-2544
Casiopea Perfect Live II
1987 · ALR-40005/6
World Live '88
1988 · 28MX 2555
Euphony
1988 · 28MX-2549
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