Токио Ска Парадайз Оркестра: Жапондық ска және джаз тобы

Japanese ska and jazz band

Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra (東京スカパラダイスオーケストラ), commonly abbreviated by fans as Skapara or TSPO, is a Japanese ska and jazz band 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 31 years, they have been influential on Japanese music as a whole. Its sound, the product of the musical influences of its members, is a 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 worldwide. They have collaborated with several vocalists outside of their band, including Shiina Ringo, Akira Kobayashi, Kyōko Koizumi, Schadaraparr, Puffy, Yoshie Nakano and Tamio Okuda. They also performed the Japanese theme song to the PlayStation 2 game Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus, entitled "Black Jack", as well as songs for the PlayStation game Incredible Crisis released in 1999, the 2020–21 Japanese drama Kamen Rider Saber and the closing ceremony for the 2020 Olympic Games.

The band's first release was 1989's eponymous six track EP, released on vinyl by local independent label Kokusai Records. That record's acceptance, coupled with the band's live shows, got them a deal with Epic Records. At this time the 'classic' lineup of the band included: Asa Chang (percussions), Tsuyoshi Kawakami (Bass), Tatsuyuki Aoki (drums), Yuichi Oki (keyboards), Marc Hayashi (guitar), Tatsuyuki Hiyamuta (alto sax/agitate man), Gamo (tenor sax), Atsushi Yanaka (baritone sax), Nargo (trumpet), Masahiko Kitahara (trombone) and Cleanhead Gimura (vocals). Yuhei Takeuchi (alto sax) was part of the original lineup, but left in 1990, though he has re joined the band live on several occasions.

Skapara's Intro (スカパラ登場) was released in 1990, and includes their first big hit, Monster Rock. Within a year, the band was playing Tokyo's Budokan Arena in front of 10,000 fans. As with Downbeat Alley these singles became huge hits, and the band also recorded a DVD at the final show for the tour, with all three singers. They once again toured Europe with this record. The DVD Smile was released to document this tour. Perfect Future soon followed, with more jazz leanings, and only one guest vocalist, Fumio Ito (of Kemuri). Kin Ichi Motegi also recorded a vocal track for this album. A few months after the release of Perfect Future, Tatsuyuki Hiyamuta, essentially the band's front man in live performances, decided to leave the band in order to concentrate on healing his legs, due to the accident suffered in 1996. The band decided not to replace him, thereby remaining as a nine piece. In early 2009 Paradise Blue was released, with the first line up difference in almost a decade. This marked the 20th anniversary since the band's first EP was released, and they toured Japan in support of the album.

2010 saw the release of World Ska Symphony, featuring guest vocals from Tamio Okuda, Crystal Kay, and Kazuyoshi Saito. They played at Vive Latino Festival in Mexico City in April 2011. This was their first show in Latin America. In 2014, the band celebrated their 25th anniversary. For the release of Ska Me Forever, the album featured guest vocals from 10 Feet, MONGOL800, and Asian Kung Fu Generation. In October 2014, the band released Ska Me Forever Mexican Edition, edited by "Casete", which includes a CD bonus with 2 special songs: "Cielito Lindo" and an arrangement of "Cafe Tacvba" hit "Eres". They also played a show in Mexico City to promote this edition for more than 6,000 people, making it their highest attended solo concert in North America. In 2020, the band composed and performed the opening and ending songs for the Tokusatsu series, Kamen Rider Saber.