Casiopea: Japan’s Most Energetic Jazz Fusion Band

[@T2norway]

Update! (2022.07.01) Casiopea just announced the fourth era of the band, named Casiopea-P4! Yoshinori Imai is the new drummer.

[@sowth_music]

YES!!!!!

[@tengu190]

Casopia vs T-square. One hell of a concert!

[@aptspire]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJ3Xfoqro7J7opI The new release

[@seanvillarroel6272]

it makes me laugh when they say, oh I like this music so much, I should have been born in that era, this is not mine. If they were born in that time they wouldn't know about cassiopea, and I am very grateful to the internet for having made me discover many bands like cassiopea that I love so much and are now part of my musical repertoire. Greetings from venezuela, great video.

[@bauzz4862]

Just maybe, one day I can manage to see them live in Japan. Thanks for the update! Any recommendations on the best way to keep up with our favorite Japanese musicians?

[@SynGirl32]

Japanese bassists were an entirely different breed, slap basslines on jazz and pop tracks of the era were simply incredible.

[@androsd4]

¡They are amazing!

[@JustinZeleski]

Tetsuo Sakurai is one of my favorite bassists and Casiopea vs the T-Square is one of my favorite albums. Also got to shout out for the Seatbelts. They recorded Cowboy beebop and they're just amazing.

[@partydeer1640]

Tomohito Aoki is my personal favorite

[@tonyrichengod9280]

Japanese bassists ARE an entirely different breed. Modern day players are also amazing!

[@snickers6125]

I feel like they take the theory amd the role they play much more serious in the west, though with modern bassist I am seeing the west catch up in these areas, today's musicians can really play their instruments compared to passed musician, but man people hate hearing that truth for some reason

[@fransisco5748]

The first time I knew Casiopea was when.. they had a concert in my country and I was their translator!!! I mainly talked with the staffs though, helping them setting up the stage etc. My first experience listening to them wasn't through CD or anything.. it's their live concert, directly in front of my eyes. What an experience I won't forget for a lifetime.

[@yveltalsea]

That sounds so so so amazing!! I hope it was super fun :')

[@mattethans]

I had the same experience, when i was a kid their concert actually was the first concert I’ve been

[@alejandrobarahona2465]

Where was the concert?

[@JolteonRacer]

Taun brp kak?

[@ZaKi-zh3lx]

Hi! I'm Japanese, huge fun of CASIOPEA and 70's-80's Japanese fusion&pop music and this video is, without a doubt, the best explanation video of CASIOPEA. Actually, there is no video on KZbin Japan that explains it so carefully. It has been about 3 years since the Japanese city pop revival in Japan (ironically, without realizing it themselves, like a reimportation from overseas), but there are still many Japanese who are unaware of the epic fusion bands of the 70s and 80s like CASIOPEA. I am so thankful that KZbin's algorithm suggested this video to me and that I came across this channel's content! I wish KZbin Japan had such a video like this...:(

[@ginogarcia8730]

that is so interesting, I was just thinking about this. Man you should make a video or suggest a video to this guy explaining Japanese city pop revival in Japan after things like Plastic Love going popular out of no where.

[@ZaKi-zh3lx]

@@ginogarcia8730 Indeed... Maybe I'll make it.

[@jerdure]

True indeed, somehow City pop was back in fashion right after Covid appeared in 2020 ! Anyway I am really grateful toward Japan for granting us such amazing and rich music. I really need to level up my bass playing to be able to follow :)

[@DASHIRS]

I wish me too …

[@androsd4]

@@FloatingLeaf1111 also you should listen to Japanese Math Rock, they are incredible.

[@stephenwhite4950]

I seem to recall Miles Davis in his autobiography mentioning how much he loved playing in Japan because the fans were so enthusiastic and they often had superior sound systems.

[@datutturugang666]

as a foreign sound engineer living and working in japan, the first thing i noticed with japanese audience is their sheer passion for hifi music and live sound. permanently moved since 2014

[@st_markito]

It is incredible how Casiopea sounds like you are on a Gran Turismo lobby tuning your cars or trying to get the Super License. It's so powerful but cozy at the same time. Love at first sight!

[@zenmaster6780]

That’s the same vibe I get! Video game soundtrack meets crazy good jazz

[@mikebertakis4295]

Actually the composer of the soundtrack of the first Gran Turismo (and the trendsetter for the music style of the series) is Masahiro Andoh, guitarist of the jazz fusion band T-Square. So yeah, that's why it sounds like GT because it is GT music. P.S.: Have a listen to T-Square too, incredible band with great saxophone/wind controller sound.

[@parappada]

couldn’t have said it better

[@wancoet]

Cassiopeia influenced a lot of Indonesian city pop and jazz bands in the 80s like 'Indonesia 6', 'karimata', 'Bhaskara', 'emerald'. Fantastic time for jazz fans in Indonesia... edited, @bimokresno reminded me of 'krakatau', thanks bro, how could I forget them...

[@renren2740]

And ‘Chaseiro’ too I think (but they are more Brazilian influenced tho)

[@jvcaguiat]

Wow! I did not now Indonesia has an extensive Jazz/Jazz Fusion scene! Thanks for the recommendations!

[@zulfika_]

Is that some kind of African country?

[@wwithallmyheart]

​@@zulfika_ Dawg. ☠️☠️☠️

[@bimokresno]

i like those bands too. i own the only album of indonesia 6 and the first 4 albums of karimata. i think krakatau also mostly influenced by casiopea.

[@tabahhelminonaka9487]

I'm 62 years old, my teenage era was colored by their music. 1985 ,I was in Indonesia, my dad's country, had a chance to work for Indonesia jazz association to invite casiopea to Jakarta. I really appreciate your hardwork making this video which brought me my special memories with this band. Thanks so much ! Oh ya they are now formed Issei Noro's Casiopea 4th & Katsushika Torio 2022 ( Jimsaku & Mukaiya ) !

[@error_4227]

Love this sincere and wonderful comment on such a legendary band! Thank You! This was a fantastic review T2. Keep up the analysis and reviews! New Sub from me!

[@a.christydjoko7773]

beruntung pernah melihat mereka di gelaran java jazz beberapa waktu yang lalu

[@tridenttalisman8096]

sir, sir, if they're gonna be here (Indonesia), please let us know. I would be there watch their show for sure.

[@bagindasubur]

Are u half Indonesian ?

[@bagindasubur]

​@@a.christydjoko7773ane nntn yg 2012 di JKT yg di Jogja ane ga bisa nntn nyesel jg euy

[@ride4speedrr53]

If you know about Casiopea, then you must know about " T-Square " and " Dimension ". Both of them are Japanese iconic Jazz Fusion bands as well.

[@TheUKNutter]

The comment I was waiting for.

[@chicocucea]

My all-time favorite band. My favorite pieces: "Takarajima", "Omens of Love", "All About You", "Knight's Song", "Rodan", "It's Magic", "Mystic Island", "Le Mirage", etc...

[@fidchell_k]

I came exactly for this comment. Person of culture.

[@pruett89]

MY DUDE! Your use of fonts are simple yet effective. The graphics you use to convey info is NEXT level. The perfect mix of bold and thin type faces mixed with the overlays and Japanese characters too, its just perfect. I love the total aesthetic this video AND the content is also amazing. This may be the perfect youtube video, truly thank you for making this.

[@bagindasubur]

This is profesional documentary

[@BreadGod]

Can more people get into Japanese jazz fusion and city pop please omg. Everyone is missing out on this hidden gem.

[@barackobama9552]

People are missing out on jazz fusion in general

[@マシュードーラン]

Seriously!

[@organicwins91]

Please for the love of God no, millions are not enough exposure for you? Don’t worry, the views with millions of views get deleted - NOBODY is missing out

[@Umipunpun]

I disagree,I think city pop is mainstream now but I just hate how the top city pop songs are getting used in cringe ways on TikToks😔

[@ECWPlays]

Been in it since 2020

[@Theslayer360]

Something similar happened to me discovering Casiopea. The KZbin algorithm recommended to me a video called “when literally everyone wants the solo” so I watched it and my mind was blowing away, that video contains the “battle of solos” transcribed into music sheets of the song “Fightman” in the “Casiopea vs The Square Live” live recording. Inmediatly I started to search videos of Casiopea and The Square. And when I watched the Casiopea’s live performances I noticed such a good energy, amazing bass lines, very cool solos and also that feeling of discovering something new but at the same time like if I have heard this too many times before and I loved it. I have been playing videogames since I have memory and my first videogame was Super Mario 64 and I love a lot of videogames soundtracks specially the ones from games of Nintendo and Sega. After hearing all the records and a lot of live recordings I started to investigate more about Casiopea and then I knew about the songs of the Tokyo train stations that were made by Minoru Mukaiya. I got excited because I have been planing to go on a trip to Tokyo in the next year so It will be awesome to hear those melodies at the stations. Now I listen to Casiopea everyday and I am recomending their music to all the people that I know. Also the father of my grandfather was Japanese and all my life I have been so interested in these culture and the way they compose music. Thanks for this video, I loved it and I hope more people specially gamers discover Casiopea and get amazed of their music such as you and me! P.S: I also prefer the live sessions over the studio versions.

[@piggel6185]

bro thats the exact same thing that happened to me. i saw that video and immediately checked them out. i certainly don't regret it

[@_leemo_2708]

The EXACT Same thing happened to me, good to know that George collier isn’t the only one who showed me those two legendary jazz fusion bands

[@PibbXtraPls]

I discovered them a few years ago because their "Mint Jams" album got recommended to me on the side bar of a song called "Skylar Spence" by Saint Pepsi. I imagine it's because that song samples Tatsuro Yamashita's "Love Talkin'". Still enjoy Casiopea and discover more of their music to this day. They're insanely talented.

[@kenorsua9595]

wait, that was Casiopea? Whattttt

[@videogamemusicrenditionsby7625]

Jazz fusion got into my life because of video game soundtracks...As a kid I always wondered "what style could VG music be classified", until the day I was researching about Jazz Fusion and... BANG! Mega Drive, Master System, Sega CD....Just fantastic...

[@joseangeja5118]

Although I'm 61 and loved and played jazz for some years back in the late 70's, I found accidentally Casiopea about one year ago. What a sound, what a technical quality of all band members, what a jazz fusion style for so many years adapting to the different tendencies since the 70's. How did I miss these guys for almost 4 decades ??? T-Square is another pleasant surprise. I am recovering now all lost time.... Brilliant band(s) !!! As a hint although a bit different, take a look at Mezzoforte (particularly) Mezzoforte live in Reykyavik! Hope you like it.

[@seaboatsk]

Angeja-san, Mezzoforte visited Casiopea when the Icelandic group held concerts in Japan in 1984. Japan’s TV and radio programs put jazz-fusion songs not only from Japan but also from Europe and the US in their shows in 1980s. Check out Japan’s jazz-fusion songs by Himiko Kikuchi who has the most beautiful smile in the world! kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZ7PaoKimNCfmbs Credit Ceefax

[@gtheskater]

Then you're not prepared for Dimension (the band he mentioned in the middle of the video)

[@JazzzRockFuzion]

As a professional musician, passionate gamer, long-time fan of Japanese jazz fusion & city pop, I want to commend you on a wonderful video presentation; it’s obvious how much effort and love was poured into this! I learned so much about one of my favorite bands, I can’t thank you enough for your work. 🙏

[@remarkablysquare3216]

I randomly found a Masayoshi Takanaka album through going down a KZbin rabbit hole of random albums that were recommended to me Instantly fell in love with his music and now I'm starting to branch out into Casiopea and T-Square and it's all so fantastic, I think I've finally found my music taste (Also I find that Japanese Jazz Fusion is like the best homework genre, period. It can somewhat blend into the background to let you focus but is also still upbeat and very happy so you just can't help but feel good even while doing boring homework.)

[@RitZoneVideos]

Takanaka’s music just make you smile so much

[@remarkablysquare3216]

@@RitZoneVideos agree

[@SavingTheUndesireables]

was it the one where he’s skydiving

[@remarkablysquare3216]

@@SavingTheUndesireables Nah it was his Seychelles album

[@SavingTheUndesireables]

@@remarkablysquare3216 ahhh yeh, man all of his albums are 🔥

[@Marunius]

A lot of people can't stand their cheesy 80s sound, but they're not about the sound. They're about the notes, harmony, interaction, fun, energy, catchyness of themes, improvisation, power and total live performance perfection, to the extent of being better live than in studio.

[@bkkersey93]

The sound is awesome tho lol. Screw the haters🤘.

[@bkkersey93]

@joão It's funny how peoples "hate" or "dislike" only strengthens ones appreciation for another.

[@johnsalis4732]

These haters probably listen to modern radio pop and have no musical taste

[@purposeinpresence4494]

That sound is back in style now and they are blowing up. They were truly ahead of their time.

[@armanrozika]

wait whaaaa? "can't stand their cheesy 80s sound", the band is from the 80's, wtf lmaoooo, they expecting them to record 2000's sound or what?. If anything, they hate the 80's sound then, not the band

[@Afuentes44]

I can't thank you enough for doing this! This band and genre as a whole need more recognition.

[@achocolatephilosophy]

YES but also NOOO...the records are already too expensive :)

[@Rylanhere]

@@achocolatephilosophy fr it’s like $150 for mint jam 😢

[@CatsInHats-S.CrouchingTiger]

Yes! I couldn’t say it better! 😊

[@organicwins91]

No more exposure!!!!!!

[@ootoot2152]

To me the absolute peak of Casiopea was the Sasaki years (Debut, Super Flight). His playing is just incredible and he should've made more than just 4 albums in his career. What an absolute beast.

[@legozfordayz]

True but “ peak” Casiopea sound was 1982, even with Akira Jimbo on drums. Their early style of jazz fusion with Sasaki sounded almost like bebop at some points, he was an insane drummer.

[@eficer04]

Amen

[@blindboyflowers]

based Sasaki fanbois

[@garcia20013]

anyone know what happened to Sasaki?

[@LagrangePoint0]

@@garcia20013 He's a music teacher now I think

[@trikronika]

Casiopea literally shaped the last four years of my life. I'm OBSESSED. It really doesn't get any better than this

[@emio_17]

I was very impressed when I saw a video that introduced Cassiopeia in such detail. thank you very much! I am a Japanese living in Japan, and my encounter with Cassiopeia was deeply related to Sony's Walkman, which was cutting-edge at the time. Commuter trains in Japan are notorious for being crowded, but their album took me to another world while commuting on a crowded train. Exactly "TAKE ME" 😂😆 Until around 1989, I went to listen to live performances more than 10 times a year. Their music is still part of my life and as a Japanese I am very proud of their recent popularity on KZbin.

[@stanleydan9159]

The reason they are so important is because they coincided with the development of synths in the 80s. In fact, during the heyday of Japanese musical instruments, they created a tremendous impact beyond just music.

[@Peronioz]

Midnight Rendezvous brings tears of joy to my eyes. 5:10 is one of the crispiest pieces of music I've ever heard.

[@AnneoSeneca1993]

Hi! I'm an italian fan obsessed with Casiopea, T Square, japanese city pop and videogames (bot playing and listening to music). I really loved this video and it's a shame that it only has 5k views! I'm extremely fascinated by the interplay between japanese jazz fusion music and videogames ost, especially of racing car games. As you explained well videogame music composers got inspired by Casiopea and T Square a lot. Indeed, there are three facts worth mentioning about this: 1) the guitarist from The Square composed the PS1 "Gran Turismo" OST (great music, give it a listen) 2) The Sega Sound Team Band was full of fusion players and sometimes even hosted Issei Noro as a guest player. Also there lots of good music 3) In Mario Kart 8 there's a piace of music composed and played by The Square (Rainbow Express). In general it is a reeeeally fusion OST, I love it!

[@joshuaford4460]

My discorvery of Casiopea was through T-Square from playing several Gran Turismos as a kid. GT is definitely what pops into my head any time i hear Jazz Fusion.

[@AidynNichi]

I grew up listening to Casiopea every now and again because my dad's a fan of theirs. Never really knew much about them other than their sweet jams. Thank you for this showcase into their stuff!

[@jazzcat705]

its so refreshing to see someone not an enthusiast or some professional musician into music like this i hope this inspires others to explore more genres

[@i.wataru3894]

海外の人がカシオペアを知っているとは…… 本当にびっくりしたし同時に感動しました!!!!!!!!!! 音楽の力は無限ですね！ I'm Japanese student. I'm just started learning English. But this video made me happy! I love CASIOPEA like you. Thank you!

[@T2norway]

見てくれてありがとうございます！

[@진스드럼]

CASIOPEA 는 세계적인 밴드죠 . 저두 30년 정도 카시오페아에 푹빠져 살고 있습니다 .

[@spaktor]

il potere della musica è illimitato!

[@mahesaarifin6263]

casiopea was huuuge in indonesia in the 80's. i remember my late eldest brother and my younger brother were a die hard fans.. i could not listened to them that much but i have so much respect for them…

[@bagindasubur]

Casiopea really influence music arround the world.... Even i learn music instrument and make music influenced by casiopea

[@metroissei]

Since 1984, I went to see CASIOPEA concert or live many times, so fantastic experience ♪

[@T2norway]

Wish I could've seen them live in the 80s! (I just wasn't born yet, hehe)

[@ripdeyu]

oh to see them live,, what an amazing experience that should have been

[@axillv1736]

During the last couple of months, I've been in an incredible transitionary state of listening to CASIOPEA and T-SQUARE. J-Fusion is such an incredible genre, it's been slowly transforming me as a young musician.

[@TheLogicBro]

T-Square 🔥🔥

[@Tadakatsu]

They're such great bands. They're so slick and well-produced, they've got soul, they've got technicality and when called for they can flat out rock too.

[@Gibbidens]

I personally got to know Casiopea and T-Square just because I wanted to expand my jazz knowledge, since I became a fan of it throughout my years in high school with Chick Corea, Lee Ritenour, Pat Metheny and Yellowjackets (the last one probably being the most similar band I can think of while picturing what kind of influences shaped T-Square and Casiopea in the 80's, especially with their self-titled album), while I was going through high school. You're insanely good at this, the editing and the tone you set for this presentation was fun and catchy from start to finish, loved it!

[@eddiehaeger6990]

I’ve watched this video 30 times probably, I cannot get enough of it. The entire series is a masterpiece. It re-ignited my love for jazz fusion and it hasn’t let up yet. Thanks T2 for bringing us this gem.

[@Marci124]

Same, but I'm only approaching 10 or so replays.

[@Trailblazer5150]

Casiopea and T-square, the bands of my life, and you made a video of them, i'm tearing up of emotion, from the bottom of My hearth, thanks !❤️

[@shakle3480]

As a Japanese CASIOPEA fan, this is a great video that covers almost everything about CASIOPEA. I give you my highest compliments. Thank you!

[@samuelviden7412]

Love Casiopea. They pretty much inspired every single SEGA title soundtrack from the late 80s/early 90s.

[@GuitarPatrol]

日本の素晴らしいアーティストを紹介してくれてありがたいです☺️

[@AZEOforreal]

Masayoshi Tanaka is another you might want to deep dive into! I am getting one of my favorite albums from them: mint jams. It is such a great bop. The entire album is played live. I’d say I like their live over studios because of the energy they build, and crowd in the back cheering, clapping, and enjoying the moment! It all melds together in a perfect cohesion of great sounds.

[@T2norway]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/noaro3h8ntCngas

[@gotthefeelin]

Wow! I didn’t expect a documentary on Casiopea to pop up on my feed, let alone be so lovingly produced. Excellent work. I’ve been a Jazz Fusion fan for years, but got into this band quite late. I was watching 80s Japanese ads for electronics (as you do) and one had a track on it called “Unicorn” by Kazumi Watanabe, I was surprised how funky it was. I had no idea Japan had any jazz fusion artists, so one thing lead to another. I’ve been collecting Casiopea’s albums ever since. It does get confusing working out their songs as there’s different versions of the same songs on various albums as you say! Another band you might like is Azymuth from Brazil if you haven’t heard them already. “Jazz Carnival” is a classic. Like with Casiopea, once I heard them I had to collect all their albums (on CD).

[@T2norway]

Thanks for sharing your experience! I love Azymuth, great music! Also a fan of Robson Jorge & Lincoln Olivetti. Thanks again for watching and commenting ˙ ͜ʟ˙

[@miataenjoyer2786]

Casiopea opened me up to the entire jazz fusion community. So glad I found them.

[@manganej]

Awesome video! Casiopea members, Tetsuo Sakurai and Akira Jimbo have also made vgm arrangements. They appear credited on The King of Fighters '96's arrange soundtrack. Also, Issei Noro was part of the Super Sonic Team, Sega's own jazz fusion band for vgm arrangements. I'm a huge fan of Casiopea and Jimsaku. Sakurai is a superb bassist player, a demon on those strings. Thank you so much for making this video.

[@SuperKokuJin916]

Thank you so much for these tidbits. I'm a huge fan Casiopea and fighting games! I really do love KOF 96's AST. I had no idea they would be directly connected! Kamikirimushi is my favorite.

[@Official-OpenAI]

Japanese musicians in this era were all treasure. But they were hidden treasure. So amazing.

[@arnoldludvig6900]

Thanks T2 for making and sharing this video 🙏🏽 in the summer of 1985 we were a few musicians and actors from the Faroe Islands touring Scandinavia with the Faroese drama group, GRÍMA, in the FENRIS project. We saw and heard CASIOPEA live in Fælledparken in Copenhagen a a day off, on a Saturday. That performance had a huge impact on us, the musicians, as we were around 17 years of age back then. I still have the 4 vinyls that I bought right after that amazing consert 😊

[@Digidoy]

When casiopea came to Indonesia in 1984, they inspired many musician to make a jazz fusion band. They are amazing

[@anony_meows]

yes, and if you think and look back to the whole mainstream 80s-early 90s indonesian pop scene: the likumahuas, krakatau, sheila majid, etc, they are all majorly inspired by jazz fusion instead of what's popular in the west at that time like hair metal/glamrock/softrock, etc

[@merano7336]

@@anony_meows correction, shiela majid is not a indonesean artist she is malaysian

[@anony_meows]

@@merano7336 yes i know that, but she was mainstream in indonesia at that time.

[@bluesound666]

Waktu itu masih kecil, bingung liat mereka tampil senyum lebar melulu dan blm doyan musiknya. Masih sukanya theme song lagu voltus, megaloman, gaban dan kartun jepang lainnya 😅

[@nakitojimo2001]

My dad n his old friend in BASF were the promoters back then 😃

[@加濃崇]

This video is great. Thank you as one of the Japanese fans. I grew up listening to CASIOPEA, T-SQUARE, Kazumi Watanabe, and Masayoshi Takanaka. I went to CASIOPEA live three times. I'm not good at English, so I used translation software. Thank you for making this video.

[@T2norway]

見てくれてありがとうございます！♪(๑ᴖ◡ᴖ๑)♪

[@sakurap]

Woo, it's finally out! Amazing work dearest!!!

[@ntabile]

I heard Casiopea when I was a kid. A Filipino uncle who works previously in Japan as a band musician in the early 80s brought in some tapes for us to listen. I got mesmerized with that jazz fusion music.

[@Aidenlikesjazz]

I just wanted to say, Casiopea and T-Square are two of my favorite jazz bands, and definitely my favorite Japanese bands. I'm so happy that you made this video, there's just something about this energy that is otherworldly. When I listen to their music, I always get goosebumps and chills (really!). There's something about their music and style that transports me to a different dimension, and you can hear their influence in music everywhere. Thank you, and long live Casiopea and T-Square.

[@DexterYesMandarkNo]

I love Casiopea as much as you do. In fact, I'm obsessed with them! My favorites are Take Me, Midnight Rendezvous, Dazzling Forbidden Fruits, Something's Wrong (Change It), Misty Lady, Chandelier, and Beyond the Galaxy.

[@veryclaro]

I can't believe I haven't really followed Casiopea until I stumbled upon your vid because they're soooo up my alley, and I love Japanese City Pop, too. Found your video, thanks to KZbin's algo (probably one of the rare times I'd thank the algo, because similar to you, I like more 'organic' ways of discover things). Loved the way you ended the video was well, with the mapping of how you find things. That's pretty much how I find things, too. Great graphics + editing, wonderful topic, now I am a fan of Casiopea, and you've gained a new sub!

[@BigFellaGoose]

Words can't express how much I love this band. Every single time me and my friends did acid or smoked weed together we would put on one of their concerts and watch it from start to finish, all tho those psychedelic days are over my obsession and love for the band will never die, I really just hope I get to go to Japan one day and see them live before they get too old to stop performing, it will probably never happen due to covid but fuck man I'd definetly pay the money. Thank you for this video

[@TheSpecialJ11]

I discovered Casiopea on magic mushrooms when my friend had put on an instrumental hip hop album on KZbin after we had all split off and were having our own trips. When the album was over Mint Jams autoplayed and me, already a jazz fusion fan who had only listened to American groups, was instantly hooked.

[@peqch.]

This band bas been always with me ever since, it's just addicting! Glad to have discovered this band while i'm young.

[@Rodelero]

I bet these 4 guys had a blast through the 70s and 80s. Can't imagine the vibes they felt along the way

[@OlveDrums]

WOW, thanks for making this video, as a loyal fan of the band, i really appreciate how you did it, greetings from Mexico, keep up the hard work!

[@alzarin]

Definitely need more VIEWS !!!! as an avid fans and amateur composer of Jazz Fusion music, Casiopea has already become inspiration for my music style and most of people. I hope Jazz Fusion will be loved by a lot of people and revived again. Great video man, hats off.

[@bassferkud4171]

Space Road (Debut album 1979) Space Road (Live in London) Space Road (Hot sounds live) Space Road (Eyes of the mind album)......Every one with his own unique aura and feel,Its beautiful

[@legozfordayz]

The Live in London is the best version, no doubt about it. The others sound experimental.

[@doddywicaksono]

Casiopea is the Japanese Jazz Legend. They are my favorite band in 80's until now. Arigato Casiopea.. Warmest regards from Indonesia

[@redgit9905]

This video is really good structurally, visually, auditorily and informationally. So basically good on all points! I like it

[@lnkd70]

I discovered Casiopea in 1992 and it instantly became one of my favorite bands ever. I own 36 albums and they became a big, big influence on my way of composing and arranging. Issei Noro is such a great talent. I just love them all from the start. Very good video to make this greeeaat band discovered I hope.

[@nicholasricario7342]

Been obsessed with Casiopea since I listened to Mukaiya's breakdown for the live version of Galactic Funk so I love this video! Speaking of video game songs, I think Space Road (1st Album and Asian Dreamer) are not only both video game-y (Mario Kart - think Rainbow Road) but also add to your point of listening to the progression of some songs each time they're put into an album.

[@blindboyflowers]

You can find a ten minute loop of that breakdown you mentioned on KZbin as "CASIOPEA FOREVER". I come back to it every once in a while.

[@dawi]

I thought this video had thousands of views, but then I saw the video was brand new 😂

[@ElEstudiodeSanti]

It's amazing how this video poped up on recommendations. A few days ago I installed an app called Radio Garden, where you can listen to radio stations all over the world, and while I was hovering Japan, I found a station called Nonstop Casiopea, at Niigata. I never thought that this music was from a single band, until I watched your video. This is pure gold. Thank you!

[@TiwaODtv]

This is one of the best video documentaries I’ve ever watched, hands down!

[@ニャー王1号]

Thank you for making this video, I learnt about Casiopea back in my primary school from my music teacher. The 1985 galatic funk and dual band fightman really dragged me into fusionjazz world

[@asiastormy8728]

Most of the tunes are still so fresh in 2022. For a guy like me who have been listening to them since the 1970s and being Asian I am very proud to see that in the field of jazz and jazz fusion, Asian musicians can be as good and innovative and make contribution to music that is appreciated by the world at large.

[@loaduscoolclipz5505]

been listening to casiopea for a couple months now, and i just found this video. honestly one of the best video essays I've seen. keep up the good work!

[@anamrake]

Thank you for the beautiful overview of Casiopea. I heard them the first time in my teenage year through an old tape a school friend lent to me. I grew up listening to them since then and still remember getting so excited to find their concert DVDs when I visited Japan as a young professional years later. This video brings me back to the good old days of youth, when their music was the only one playing in my car stereo.

[@jdapaul1351]

Casiopea vs T-Square. First time I listened to them, fell in love, especially that I'm a massive fan of full band instrumentals. To this day, I still listen again and again when driving.

[@aspacenerdfromflorida1134]

I’m in love with this series!!! I absolutely love city pop and jazz fusion and have been listening to it on a daily basis since November when I found it! I hope this series blows up so more people get to find out this amazing genre.

[@aspacenerdfromflorida1134]

BRO. I JUST REALIZED AFTER WATCHING THIS AGAIN. 5:04 IS THE CLEARWATER CAUSEWAY. I AM FROM TAMPA. LOL. p.s. when's your next video coming? im excited!

[@T2norway]

@@aspacenerdfromflorida1134 hahah, well spotted! i guess the scenery of florida works excellent for japanese jazz fusion and city pop aesthetics. i haven't planned the next video yet, but i'm assuming sometime next year when i most likely have more free time to make these youtube videos. but at the moment i don't have the time for it, unfortunately. thanks for rewatching the video and commenting though!

[@aspacenerdfromflorida1134]

@@T2norway alright, thanks for the response! ill be waiting for whenever you make it!

[@sbthree]

This video validates my past 2 years of being Casiopea obsessed! I hope you are a fan of T-Square and do a video about them too! Great video!

[@deathisaprimitiveconcept]

I had the same "it sounds like videogame music!" experience, except for me it was with American jazz/jazz-fusion artists like Chick Corea (particularly the Electrik Band), Weather Report, 80's Wayne Shorter, Pat Metheny and on and on... these artists tend to be more eclectic, so you have to find the songs/albums/eras where they are most 'videogame' like, but yeah there's a lot to enjoy there.

[@rodrigoccruz]

Same here...and you could add Yellow Jackets and Steps Ahead to that list!

[@oribagel]

every time i listen to casiopea's music... i just instantly get into the groove, there's just something so magical and feel-good about their music. i could put every one of their tunes on shuffle, and every single one would be an absolute banger.

[@Osukastairu]

no one I ever met has ever heard of Casiopea but it's one of my favorite bands. Then there's this pocket of the internet and turns out loads of other people love them!

[@hassan2526]

Have been a fan of City-Pop. This hits home. Thank you for this introduction. Will check them out.

[@OlveDrums]

And also what a way to edit it it, i just loved it, amazing! i dont have words to how much i like this video.

[@itscanaan]

Huge fan of Casiopea too!!! So happy to see someone else discover them with just as much enthusiasm! And you also introduced me to some other parts of Casiopea history that I’ve never known before!

[@goodnightmoon]

bass riffs got me immediately when i first heard them

[@mitchellbenbrook2041]

My first exposure to Casiopea was the music video for Saint Pepsi's "Private Caller," someone in the comments pointed out that they were the band playing in knee deep water for that Maxell commercial and looking like they were totally jamming out. Ever since I've been hooked, what a magical group of musicians.

[@SlanderMonkey]

Thanks for uploading! Very qualitative video, thank you for introducing me to this old genre I never knew I loved! Very fascinating to learn about the history/"predecessors" of nintendo video game music!

[@pmd9801]

SEGA had an in-house band called S.S.T.BAND (formed by the composers at that time), which played the music from 80's SEGA games such as Galaxy Force II, OutRun, etc. they've that Casiopea sound we love. 12:58 Speaking of the DX7: Minoru Mukaiya did a ROM cart and he did a demonstration of each of their sounds. Some of them were used in his solo album "Welcome to the Minoru's Land" (1985) and other Casiopea songs. The video is archived here in KZbin and it's called "Minoru Mukaiya - Yamaha DX7 Commentary".

[@blakelip3]

What about Hiromasa Suzuki, Jun Fukamachi, The Players, Yuji Ohno, Ryo Kawasaki???

[@pmd9801]

@@blakelip3 All of them are great. My favorites are Ohno, Fukamachi (RIP), haven't heard about Ryo kawasaki though, thanks for the recommendation.

[@blakelip3]

@@pmd9801 hako yamasaki(Woman) Stomu Yamashita are also good kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5KtoIV5l6tmeZI kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3PaZpuJq7CSic0

[@blakelip3]

@@pmd9801 kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGe5npWjobqsrdk have u ever heard of Noriyoto Morimoto beautiful lady

[@blakelip3]

@@pmd9801 Jun Fukamachi is a legend I have to say fantastic Suite is his best album kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpmsmZWkrqtsfrM

[@joshuajames1291]

Thank you sir for this video. Casiopea is my favorite and changed and enhanced my view on music as a whole especially concerning music theory. I also am so obsessed and know all the names of the band members over the years 😆. I played asayake for my final music exams on the drums as an ode to casiopea and Akira Jimbo my favorite drummer But i am so glad someone made a video like this with all those random videos you can find if you're a REAL casiopea fan. I also love that you fully representing what casiopea is all about and everything they stand for. So thank you so much i loved this video and you just got a sub! 😄😄😄

[@tlidd]

Casiopea and Masayoshi Takanaka are both artists that make me smile every time! I listen to both almost every day while I’m working.

[@jeremygonzal8603]

Great way ending the video in a full circle in more ways than one. Been hearing about Casiopea about 2 decades ago when I was still playing in pop club bands. It's just now that I hear their music. Yup, they're definitely going into my playlist now. Thanks!

[@ruinezguitar9550]

I found them some years ago. Im a huge fan of jazz fusion music and video games. I explored Jazz Fusion music further from the West and boi i didnt even know that Japanese had a huuuuge Jazz Fusion scene, especially in the 80s and even now. And what i found is that Japanese Jazz fusion is more melodic than the Western ones, and a lot of songs sound like its from a friggin Video game on Nes or Sega :D You should listen to Sealine from Toshiki Kadomatsu.

[@T2norway]

that’s a very good analysis of japanese jazz fusion music. they are definitely more melodic, which in return reminds me of video game music (which are often very catchy and easy to get stuck in your head)! and i love toshiki kadomatsu, i made a video about him two years ago, hehe.

[@seaboatsk]

T2norway sama, arigato so much for your great introduction of Casiopea that I have been a fan of for 35+ years. Casiopea has performed live in many countries. In particular, Casiopea's live in South Korea in 1985 was an epoch making event for South Korea and Japan because South Korea had banned Japan's pop culture till then due to Japan's past occupation of the Korean Peninsula. Arguably, no other Japanese band has ever gained so much international recognition, popularity, fame, and support as Casiopea. Interestingly, both Casiopea and the Yellow Magic Orchestra have released their albums from Alfa Music, Inc. in 1970s and 1980s.

[@mrmayonaise2435]

Just found this gem. Yeah im recently into fusion jazz thanks to them, i found out about them in the Great Big Story video interviewing Minoru Mukaiya. When i searched him later i found "Galactic Funk", i absolutely fell in love with the keyboard solo and so started my love for synthesizer.

[@willb.383]

This is why I love KZbin. Never heard of your channel or Casiopea before writing this and the algorithm randomly plants both on my recommend page. Thank you for enlightening me to my new favorite band! Look forward to more of your videos, too.

[@mightyink]

This was well produced and really got me interested in the band. Thank you!

[@imbored8590]

I'm obsessed with everything Japanese jazz fusion has to offer! My personal favorites that I think everyone should check out is Masayoshi Takanaka - Seychelles and Himiko Kikuchi - Flying Beagle!!

[@superaph7co.774]

Great video, thank you for the work ! There's a lot to say about this band, more people need to know about Casiopea !

[@idmonster4383]

VERY cool. I came to Japanese jazz fusion and city pop via Masayoshi Takanaka, so understandably Casiopea wasn't far behind. The influence, direct and indirect, of these phenomenal musicians was everywhere in the 1980s and beyond. It's such an uplifting, liberating sound that just makes life better--in fact, I was having kind of a rough morning until I decided to watch this, and now everything's gravy. Excellent video. Thank you.

[@Marzimus]

I just stumbled upon Takanaka ten minutes ago and now I'm hearing Casiopea for the first time. Super stoked to be laying in bed and falling in love with these glorious sounds... 🥰

[@HNemo880]

I found these guys by complete accident about a month or 2 ago by complete accident through Spotify radio and I’m so glad I did as these guys are absolutely amazing. Fantastic video bringing these guys to light

[@Benevolar]

So glad youtube algorithm led me to this. I have the 81 album Eyes Of The World, and didn't know they released so much albums. I also like Dead Can Dance, but it's the more trancelike, gothic type of video game music.

[@brandonmarquez7396]

One of my favorite bands !, it's a trip of no return

[@ukatofarticus9046]

this is SUCH a good video essay of a band I love :) hit every nail on the head

[@KibatsuMusic]

This was such a well informed, passionate, and loving video about my favorite band of all time. Love your editing and style. I also fell in love with Japanese jazz fusion because of video game music that I heard growing up as well as city pop music from anime opening songs. And that Mario Kart Double Dash song that was actually a Casiopea song really got me 😂

[@lecat5674]

Man, just discovered this video and now I am hooked up. Then I searched through spotify and they just added the bands music 5 hours ago as of the writing this comment!!! How amazing was that! Thank you!

[@andriantogunawan7829]

Thank you T2norway! You brought me back to my childhood, first time I heard Casiopea album World Live 1988, it blown me away and I love them since! All 4 of the original members are GOD in their musical instrument. Especially Akira Jimbo - a talented self educated drummer! Glad you love them too! T-Square also something you need to bring to this channel.

[@prognosticouture1011]

Super interesting and fun video! I heard about Mint Jams through Citypop, and was not disappointed. I will make sure to go through Cassiopea's albums. Great stuff!

[@moka8267]

Amazing video! Very well made and enjoyable from start to end.

[@avorabarijaona7621]

Finally someone talks about the best music group ever !

[@dedballoons]

This video was so good. I also did not know I was a fan of very specific 80s Japanese jazz fusion but here we are. As a non-musician, you did very well talking through this.

[@ihonestlyhavenoclue5376]

This is honestly a very well made made video, shame that you don’t have more subscribers