Casiopea (カシオペア, Kashiopea, derived from the name of the constellation Cassiopeia), now known in its fourth iteration as Casiopea-P4, is a Japanese jazz fusion band formed in 1976 by guitarist Issei Noro, bassist Tetsuo Sakurai, drummer Tohru “Rika” Suzuki, and keyboardist Hidehiko Koike. In 1977, keyboardist Minoru Mukaiya and drummer Takashi Sasaki (ja) joined, replacing Koike and Suzuki. They recorded their debut album Casiopea (1979) with guest appearances by American jazz musicians Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker, and David Sanborn. In 1980, drummer Akira Jimbo joined the band. Casiopea has released over 40 albums in Japan and around the world.
Starting from 2012, they formed Casiopea 3rd as a spin-off from the original, featuring Kiyomi Otaka on keyboards and returning members, Issei Noro, Akira Jimbo, and Yoshihiro Naruse.
On July 1, 2022, it was announced that Yoshinori Imai would be the band’s new drummer after Akira Jimbo left Casiopea 3rd, and the band would be rebranded as Casiopea-P4. (wikipedia)
Casiopea is the debut album of Japanese jazz fusion group Casiopea, released on May 25, 1979. Recorded between December 1978 and March 1979 in Japan, it is Casiopea’s self-titled debut album.
The record includes the participation of some notable contemporary jazz players, such as David Sanborn on the saxophone, giving a special touch to Issei Noro’s compositions. Tracks like “Black Joke” are part of the multiple performances and variances along Casiopea’s career. The album was recorded on LP in 1979 and on CD in 1986, with both releases being the first editions on LP and CD.
The cover depicts two racing cars battling on a circuit, possibly Fuji Speedway’s “Hairpin” turn. The cars are late-1970s Group 6 sports prototypes from the Japanese Fuji Grand Champion Series, most likely a Lola T290-Mazda and a March 74S from the 1978 and 1979 championships respectively. (wikipedia)
Casiopea is one of the key indicators of the Japanese crossover of Western jazz as their debut sees Randy & Michael Brecker as well as David Sanborn onboard for their debut outing led by the then 22-year old Issei Noro. The playing is very tight and varies from slower, chilled-out, mid-tempo dreamy sequences like “Days of the Star” to the then in-vogue pacier segments of crossover / progressive jazz-rock/fusion with flexing bass, flittering percussion, sprawling keys, and guitar lines. The latter is highlighted on tracks like “Space Road” a beauty of a track that fits in with Camel or Narada Michael Walden sounds to name a few. “Swallow” is another track like this.
There is a single track on side B, “Dream Hill”, which has some limited vocals. It’s not very interesting.
Much better is the closer, “Black Joke” another pacier track which ends the affair on a very high note with the best of the Breckers and Sanborn and a bass manipulation edging on Larry Graham level.
A few of the slower tracks like “Midnight Rendezvous” you could imagine elsewhere with a vocal and seem to have a slight 70’s era City Pop / disco feel to them. Although the nod to those genres is not the ultimate strength of Casiopea’s debut, nor are the Western horn guests or string embellishments. Rather, it is the core interplay of guitar, bass, drums, and keys that keep this moving. (by Vanguard)
Personnel:
Minoru Mukaiya (keyboards, synthesizer, vibraphone)
Issei Noro (guitar, vocals on 07.)
Tetsuo Sakurai (bass)
Takashi Sasaki (drums)
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Michael Brecker (saxophone on 01., 02. + 08.)
Randy Brecker (trumpet on 01. + 08.)
David Sanborn (saxophone on 01. + 08.)
Tracklist:
01. Time Limit 3.08
02. Tears Of The Star 4.33
03. Space Road 5.14
04. Midnight Rendezvous 5.24
05. Far Away 3.57
06. Swallow 4.27
07. Dream Hill 5.40
08. Black Joke 4.17
All songs written by Issei Noro
The official website:
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