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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.
Members
- Nargo: Trumpet
- Kitahara Masahiko: Trombone
- Gamou: Tenor Saxophone and Soprano Saxophone
- Yanaka Atsushi: Baritone Saxophone
- Kawakami Tsuyoshi: Bass
- Kato Takashi: Guitar (joined 1998)
- Oki Yuichi: Keyboards
- Omori Hajime: Percussion (joined 1996)
- Motegi Kinichi on Drums (joined 1999)
Former Members
- Takeuchi Yuhei: Soprano Saxophone and Flute (left April 1990)
- Hayashi "MARC" Masayuki: Guitar (left June 1992)
- Asa-Chang: Percussion (left March 1993)
- Cleanhead Gimura on Vocals (died April 23, 1995 from brain cancer)
- Terashi Toru: Guitar (joined July 1993 - left January 1998)
- Sugimura Rui: Vocals (joined February 1998 - left February 1999)
- Aoki Tatsuyuki: Drums (died March 2, 1999 from a rail accident)
- Hiyamuta Tatsuyuki: Alto Saxophone and 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 Toujou (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
- [2012.03.21] Walkin'
Best Album
- [1997.11.21] MOODS FOR TOKYO SKA ~WE DON'T KNOW WHAT SKA IS!~
- [2002.11.07] BEST (1989~1997)
- [2005.03.14] Ska Me Crazy ~THE BEST OF TOKYO SKA PARADISE ORCHESTRA
- [2007.03.21] BEST OF TOKYO SKA 1998-2007
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
Soundtracks Albums
- [1995.02.01] Tokyo Deluxe Original Soundtrack (東京デラックス オリジナルサウンドトラック)
- [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)
- [2003.01.16] Shinjinginaki Tatakai / Bousatsu Original Soundtrack (新仁義なき戦い / 謀殺 オリジナルサウンドトラック)
- [2011.03.16] HEROES
Extended Plays
- [2010.10.27] Goldfingers
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)
- [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] Ai ga Arukai? (愛があるかい?)
- [1998.07.08] Dear My Sister
- [1999.05.12] Hi no Tama Jive (火の玉ジャイヴ)
- [1999.11.17] Senjou ni Sasageru Melody (戦場に捧げるメロディー)
- [2000.06.21] Filmmakers Bleed ~Choujou Kessen~ (フィルムメイカーズ・ブリード ~頂上決戦~)
- [2001.08.08] Mekureta Orange (めくれたオレンジ)
- [2001.12.12] Canaria Naku Sora (カナリヤ鳴く空)
- [2002.02.14] Utsukushiku Moeru Mori (美しく燃える森)
- [2003.02.05] Ginga to Meiro (銀河と迷路)
- [2003.06.04] A Quick Drunkard
- [2004.05.25] Sekai Chizu (世界地図)
- [2004.07.08] STROKE OF FATE
- [2004.10.22] Saraba Tomo yo (さらば友よ)
- [2005.12.14] Tsuioku no Lilac (迫憶のライラック)
- [2006.02.15] Sapphire no Hoshi (サファイアの星)
- [2006.05.10] Hoshifuru Yoru ni (星降る夜に)
- [2006.07.20] Hazm Rhythm (PUFFY×Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra)
- [2009.10.07] KinouKyouAshita
- [2011.03.16] Break into the Light ~Yakusoku no Boushi~ / The Sharing Song ~Toriko no Theme~ (Break into the Light ~約束の帽子~ / The Sharing Song ~トリコのテーマ~)
Compilations/Others
- [2006.06.28] JAPA-RICO~RICO RODRIGUEZ MEETS JAPAN
Vinyl / Remix
- [1989.11.18] TOKYO SKA PARADISE ORCHESTRA (東京スカパラダイスオーケストラ)
- [1991.10.25] World Famous Remix
- [1993.11.21] gifted
- [1994.07.21] JUST A LITTLE BIT OF TOKYO SKA PARADISE ORCHESTRA
- [1996.08.13] ROCK MONSTER STRIKES BACK
- [1999.07.23] JUST A RECORD COMPILATION Vol.1
DVD / VHS
- [1991.12.01] Skapara Video (スカパラビデオ)
- [1992.03.25] Ozamu no Ran (音曲の乱)
- [1992.08.08] TOKYO SKA ~EVERYTIME WE SAY GOOD BYE Kageriyuki Hikari no Naka de (TOKYO SKA ~EVERYTIME WE SAY GOOD BYE 翳りゆく光の中で)
- [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 GRAD PRIX
- [1997.11.21] 18540617
- [1999.11.17] SKA EVANGELISTS ON THE RUN TOKYO SKA PARADISE ORCHESTRA 1998-1999
- [2002.09.04] DOWN BEAT SELECTOR
- [2002.09.04] DOWN BEAT ARENA ~ Yokohama Arena 7.7.2002 (DOWN BEAT ARENA~横浜アリーナ 7.7.2002)
- [2004.03.03] EUROPE TOUR 2003 Road Move DVD "CATCH THE RAINBOW" (EUROPE TOUR 2003 ロード・ムーヴィーDVD 「CATCH THE RAINBOW」)
- [2005.01.01] 15TH ANNIVERSARY LIVE SINCE DEBUT 2004.10.22 in Kokuritsu Yoyogi Kyougi-jo (15TH ANNIVERSARY LIVE SINCE DEBUT 2004.10.22 in 代々木第一体育館)
- [2007.05.03] WILD PEACE TOUR FINAL @ Saitama Super Arena (WILD PEACE TOUR FINAL @ さいたまスーパーアリーナ)
- [2007.09.12] SMILE ~Nin ga Nin wo Aisuru Tabi~ (SMILE ~人が人を愛する旅~)