Listening Project Chapter 1: CASIOPEA
CASIOPEA is a 4-piece Japanese jazz fusion band that is one of the giants of the genre. They are one of my favorite bands of all time, and they were who I decided to start my listening project with. Because although I had already listened (and re-listened) to a few Casiopea albums, that is but a drop in the bucket that is their full discography of well over 50 (!) albums. This band has been extremely prolific since they released their first album in 1979.
After listening to EVERY Casiopea album in order, and most of them for the first time, my love for this band has only increased. I had a lot of emotions when I finished the very last song: first sadness that there were no more Casiopea songs to discover, then happiness and relief that I had finished the library, and finally a feeling of being hugely enriched. This is the feeling that has persisted. It was a wonderful journey, and it made me so excited to continue this project and ultimately see it all the way through.
If you decide to check out Casiopea, the first track that you should check out is “Take Me”, from the album Mint Jams (1982). This was my favorite Casiopea track before I started this project and it is still my favorite. It is a jewel of a song that perfectly encapsulates the magic that is Japanese jazz fusion.
My favorite Casiopea albums:
The Party (1990)
Answers (1994)
20th (2000)
Living On a Feeling ~ Casiopea Night Selection (2009)
Make Up City (1980)
Mint Jams (1982)
Honorable mentions:
Asian Dreamer (1994)
Places (2003)
Full Colors (1991)
Casiopea (1979)