TOKYO SKA PARADISE ORCHESTRA
Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra (東京スカパラダイス) is a ten member Japanese Ska and Jazz band that officially formed in 1988. Over the course of the past 21 years, their innovation has proved to have been very influential on Japanese music as a whole and have collaborated with several artists, including Shiina Ringo, Kobayashi Akira, Koizumi Kyoko, Schadaraparr, and PUFFY.
Contents
Members
- Nargo (Kimiyoshi Nagoya) on Trumpet (Original Member)
- Masahiko Kitahara on Trombone (Original Member)
- Gamou on Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone (Original Member)
- Atsushi Yanaka on Baritone 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)
- Kin-ichi Motegi on Drums (Joined 1999)
Former Members
- Yuhei Takeuchi on Soprano Saxophone, Flute (Left April 1990)
- Masayuki "MARC" Hayashi on Guitar (Left June 1992)
- Asa-Chang on Percussion (Left March 1993)
- Cleanhead Gimura on Vocals (Died April 23, 1995 from brain cancer)
- Toru Terashi on Guitar (Joined July 1993)(Left January 1998)
- Rui Sugimura on Vocals (Joined February 1998)((Left February 1999)
- Tatsuyuki Aoki on Drums (Died March 2, 1999 from rail accident)
- Tatsuyuki Hiyamuta on Alto Saxophone, Guitar (Left July 2008)
Information
Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra 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.
Discography
Albums
- [1990.03.01] Skapara's Intro (スカパラ登場)
- [1990.12.01] Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra (東京スカパラダイスオーケストラ)
- [1991.06.21] World Famous (ワールドフェイマス)
- [1993.03.21] Pioneers
- [1994.04.21] Fantasia
- [1995.06.21] Grand Prix
- [1996.09.02] Tokyo Strut (トーキョー・ストラット)
- [1998.08.26] Arkestra
- [2000.07.26] Full-Tension Beaters
- [2002.05.22] Stompin' On Down Beat Alley
- [2003.03.05] High Numbers
- [2005.03.09] Answer
- [2006.06.07] Wild Peace
- [2008.03.26] Perfect Future
- [2009.02.04] Paradise Blue
Singles
- [1990.04.21] Monster Rock
- [1991.01.21] Countdown To Glory (栄光へのカウントダウン)
- [1991.06.21] Hole in One (ホールインワン)
- [1991.12.25] World Famous Remix
- [1992.12.02] Burning Scale
- [1993.05.01] Tiger of Marai (マライの號)
- [1993.08.21] Gold Rush
- [1993.10.23] Happening (ハプニング)
- [1993.12.12] Blue Mermaid (ブルーマーメイド)
- [1994.09.07] Happy Go Lucky
- [1995.01.21] Tokyo Deluxe (東京デラックス)
- [1995.04.28] Watermelon
- [1995.07.21] Jam
- [1996.07.21] Rock Monster Strikes Back
- [1997.04.21] Hurry Up!!
- [1998.04.22] Does Love Exist? (愛があるかい?)
- [1998.07.08] Dear My Sister
- [1999.05.12] Hinotama Jive (火の玉ジャイヴ)
- [1999.11.17] Devote to the Battle Melody (戦場に捧げるメロディー)
- [2000.06.21] Filmmakers Bleed ~Decisive Battle on the Summit~ (フィルムメイカーズ・ブリード~頂上決戦~)
- [2001.08.08] Peeled Orange (めくれたオレンジ)
- [2001.12.12] Great Singing Bird Sky (カナリヤ鳴く空)
- [2002.02.14] Beautiful Burning Forest (美しく燃える森)
- [2003.02.05] The Galaxy and Maze (銀河と迷路)
- [2003.06.04] A Quick Drunkard
- [2004.05.25] Map of the World (世界地図)
- [2004.07.08] Stroke of Fate
- [2004.??.??] Farewell My Friend
- [2005.12.14] Tsuioku no Lilac (迫憶のライラック)
- [2006.02.15] The Sapphire Star (サファイアの星)
- [2006.05.10] The Star Spangled Night (星降る夜に)
Vinyl Releases
- [1989.??.??] Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra 12" (東京スカパラダイスオーケストラ)
- [1991.06.21] World Famous LP (ワールドフェイマス)
- [1991.10.28] World Famous Remix 12"
- [1994.04.21] Just a Little Bit of Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra
- [1995.??.??] Happening 12" (ハプニング)
- [1996.08.13] Rock Monster Strikes Back 12"
- [1998.??.??] The Movin' Dub (On the Whole Red Satellites) 7"
- [1998.??.??] Jon Lord 7"
- [1998.??.??] One Night 12"
- [1998.??.??] Ska Jerk 12"
- [1998.??.??] Abracadabra 12"
- [1998.??.??] Ring O' Fire 12"
- [1999.??.??] Jazzie Speaks 12"
- [2000.??.??] Theme of Lupin III Pt. I & II 12"
- [2002.11.07] Best(1989~1997) LP
- [2002.12.??] Afro Art Remixes 12"
- [2002.??.??] Downbeat Selector 7" Box Set
- [2003.03.05] High Numbers LP
- [2003.07.04] Full-Tension Beaters LP
DVDs
- [2000.03.29] Ska Evangelists On the Run Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra 1998-1999
- [2002.07.07] Down Beat Arena~Yokohama Arena
- [2002.09.04] Down Beat Selector
- [2004.03.03] Europe Tour 2003 Road-Move DVD (Catch the Rainbow)
- [2004.03.10] Skapara at Cabaret (スカパラatキャバレー)
- [2004.03.10] Live Grand Prix
- [2004.03.10] 18540617
- [2005.01.01] 15th Anniversary Live Since Debut 2004.10.22
- [2007.05.03] Wild Peace Tour Final @ Saitama Super Arena
- [2007.09.12] Smile
Live Albums
- [1991.03.21] Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra Live (東京スカパラダイスオーケストラライブ)
- [2001.03.14] Gunslingers -Live Best-
- [2004.02.04] On Tour
- [2008.03.26] Perfect Future: Live at Montreux Jazz Festival
Videos
- [1991.12.01] Skapara Video (スカパラビデオ)
- [1992.03.25] Osamu's Amazing Songs (音曲の乱)
- [1992.08.08] TOKYOSKA: Everytime We Say Goodbye
- [1992.02.12] World Series from Tokyo Ska
- [1993.12.12] Skapara at Cabaret (スカパラatキャバレー)
- [1994.04.21] Live Fantasia
- [1994.04.21] Video Fantasia
- [1995.12.01] Live Grand Prix
- [1997.11.21] 18540617
- [1999.11.17] Ska Evangelists On the Run Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra 1998-1999
Compilation/Other
- [1993.12.01] gifted WINTER SELECTION
- [1994.04.21] JUST A LITTLE BIT OF TOKYO SKA PARADISE ORCHESTRA (Vinyl)
- [1995.??.??] Tokyo Deluxe Original Soundtrack (東京デラックスオリジナルサウンドトラック)
- [1996.??.??] THE BEST SELECTION
- [1997.11.21] MOODS FOR TOKYO SKA: WE DON'T KNOW WHAT SKA IS
- [1999.07.23] JUSTA RECORD COMPILATION Vol.1
- [1999.07.23] Tondemo 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)
- [2002.11.07] BEST(1989-1997)
- [2003.03.19] BEAUTY OF BEAST Original Soundtrack
- [2003.??.??] 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)
- [2005.03.14] SKA ME CRAZY: THE BEST Of TSPO
- [2007.03.21] Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra: Best of Tokyo Ska 1998~2007