Casiopea (カシオペア, Kashiopea, Japanese transcription of the name of the constellation Cassiopeia) is a Japanese jazz fusion band that was formed in 1976 by guitarist Issei Noro, bassist Tetsuo Sakurai and keyboardist Hidehiko Koike. In 1977, keyboardist Minoru Mukaiya and drummer Takashi Sasaki joined the group, leaving Hidehiko out of Casiopea. The group debuted with the self-titled album Casiopea in 1979, featuring Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker and David Sanborn as guest musicians. In 1980, Sasaki was replaced by Akira Jimbo. Casiopea has released over 35 albums to date in both Japan and the United States.
Some of Casiopea's most famous tracks include Asayake, Galactic Funk and Eyes of the Mind.
The first record label to sign them was Alfa Records in 1979, with their first album Casiopea.
Galactic Funk first featured in their 1981 album "Crosspoint" which had around 10 different versions recorded both live and in studio.
The album "Eyes of the Mind" was released in the United States in 1981. They then released the album Mint Jams in 1982, followed by Four by Four the same year, which was a collaborative album with Lee Ritenour, Harvey Mason, Nathan East and Don Grusin (all except Don Grusin later became founding members of Fourplay). Their first overseas concert was held in the United Kingdom in 1983. The group has toured Europe, South America, Australia, and Southeast Asia.
Casiopea is the debut album of the jazz fusion group Casiopea which was recorded between 1978-1979 and released later that year. The album showed two racecars racing each other on a raceway.
Recorded between December 1978 and March 1979 in Japan, "Casiopea" is Casiopea's self-titled debut album. The album includes the participation of some notable contemporary jazz players as David Sanborn on the saxophone, giving a special touch to Issei Noro's compositions. Tunes like Black Joke are part of the multiple performances and variances along Casiopea's career.
This album was recorded on LP in 1979 as ALR-6017 and years later in 1986 on CD under the 32XA-104 catalog numbers, being the first editions on both LP and CD.
All tracks were written and arranged by Issei Noro except horn arranged by Jun Fukamachi and strings arranged by Hiroki Inui.
CASIOPEA are
HORNS
STRINGS
Como una gota fui de la marea
La playa me hizo grano de la arena.
Fui punto en multitud por donde fui
Nadie me detectó y así aprendí.
Cuando creí colmada la tarea
Volví mi corazón a Casiopea.
Cumplí celosamente nuestro plan:
Por un millón de años esperar.
Hoy llevo el doble dando coordenadas
Pero nadie contesta mi llamada.
Qué puede haber pasado a mi señal?
Será que me he quedado sin hogar?
Hoy sobrevivo apenas a mi suerte
Lejano de mi estrella, de mi gente
El trance me ha mostrado otra lección:
El mundo propio siempre es el mejor.
Me voy debilitando lentamente
Casiopea (カシオペア, Kashiopea, Japanese transcription of the name of the constellation Cassiopeia) is a Japanese jazz fusion band that was formed in 1976 by guitarist Issei Noro, bassist Tetsuo Sakurai and keyboardist Hidehiko Koike. In 1977, keyboardist Minoru Mukaiya and drummer Takashi Sasaki joined the group, leaving Hidehiko out of Casiopea. The group debuted with the self-titled album Casiopea in 1979, featuring Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker and David Sanborn as guest musicians. In 1980, Sasaki was replaced by Akira Jimbo. Casiopea has released over 35 albums to date in both Japan and the United States.
Some of Casiopea's most famous tracks include Asayake, Galactic Funk and Eyes of the Mind.
The first record label to sign them was Alfa Records in 1979, with their first album Casiopea.
Galactic Funk first featured in their 1981 album "Crosspoint" which had around 10 different versions recorded both live and in studio.
The album "Eyes of the Mind" was released in the United States in 1981. They then released the album Mint Jams in 1982, followed by Four by Four the same year, which was a collaborative album with Lee Ritenour, Harvey Mason, Nathan East and Don Grusin (all except Don Grusin later became founding members of Fourplay). Their first overseas concert was held in the United Kingdom in 1983. The group has toured Europe, South America, Australia, and Southeast Asia.