Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra

The Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra (Suka Para) was founded in 1985 by Asa-Chang and a group of young musicians. The band's sound was unlike that of any of its contemporaries and has proved been extremely influential on Japanese music as a whole. Many of its songs are purely instrumental and its sound is an eclectic mix of ska, jazz, and rock.

Their first record was an indie 12 inch single released in 1989, followed in 1990 by their debut album on Sony Sukapara Tojo. This album included a number of covers, both Japanese and foreign.

The band’s reputation as an entertaining and energetic live band spread and in 1991 they played the prestigious Budokan theatre. Although they were a popular live act, their record company was not able to sell as many records as their popularity suggested. The band suffered a number of hardships, including the death of two members, amongst them vocalist “Cleanhead Gimura.” Cleanhead's younger brother, Rui Sugimura, was brought in to replace him but was gone within a year.

In 1993, Asa-Chang left the band. Suka Para continued with various member changes, still maintaining a substantial fan base. In 1998, they moved to the Avex label, and in 2000 licensed their Full-Tension Beaters to Europe and undertook an extensive tour of European countries. They have also toured the US with the Skatalites, played SOB’s in NYC, and performed at America’s biggest music festival, Bonnaroo.

Although many fans, artists, and record companies outside of Japan have expressed interest in facilitating the expansion of the band's popularity to a global level, its music remains largely unavailable in most of the rest of the world. Despite this, however, the band enjoys great commercial success and popularity within Japan, where its records have consistently climbed the music charts.

Contents 1 Trivia 2 Members 3 Former Members 4 Discography 5 External Links

Trivia

Suka Para performed the theme song to the PlayStation 2 game Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus, entitled "BLACK JACK".

Members

• Trumpet: Nargo (Kimiyoshi Nagoya)
• Trombone: Masahiko Kitahara
• Alto Saxaphone/Guitar: Tatsuyuki Hiyamuta
• Tenor Saxaphone/Soprano Saxaphone: Gamou
• Baritone Saxophone: Atsushi Yanaka
• Keyboards: Yuichi Oki
• Guitar: Takashi Kato (joined 1998)
• Bass: Tsuyoshi Kawakami
• Percussion: Hajime Ohmori (joined 1996)
• Drums: Kin-ichi Motegi (joined 1999)

Former Members

• Soprano Saxophone/Flute: Yuhei Takeuchi (left 1990)
• Guitar: Masayuki "MARC" Hayashi (left 1992)
• Percussion: Asa-Chang on percussion (left 1993)
• Vocals: Cleanhead Gimura (died 1995)
• Guitar: Toru Terashi (joined 1993, left 1998)
• Rui Sugimura on vocals (joined 1998, left 1999)
• Drums: Tatsuyuki Aoki (died 1999)

Discography

Albums

• Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra (1989)
• Skapara Toujou (Skapara's Intro) (1990)
• World Famous (1991)
• World Famous Remix (1991)
• Pioneers (1993)
• FANTASIA (1994)
• JUST A LITTLE BIT OF TOKYO SKA PARADISE ORCHESTRA (vinyl) (rare) (1994)
• WATERMELON (1995)
• Grand Prix (1995)
• Tokyo Strut (1996)
• Arkestra (1998)
• Full-Tension Beaters (2000)
• Stompin' On Down Beat Alley (2002)
• High Numbers (2003)
• Answer (2005)
• Wild Peace (2006)

Singles

• MONSTER ROCK (1990
• Countdown To Glory (1991)
• Hole in One (1991)
• Burning Scale (1992)
• Mark of Marai (1993)
• gold rush (1993)
• Happening (1993)
• Blue Mermaid (1993)
• HAPPY GO LUCKY (1994)
• Tokyo Deluxe (1995)
• WATERMELON (1995)
• JAM (1995)
• ROCK MONSTER STRIKES BACK (1996)
• HURRY UP!! (1997)
• Does Love Exist? (1998)
• Dear My Sister (1998)
• Hinotama Jive (1999)
• Devote to the Battle Melody (1999)
• Filmmakers Bleed ~Decisive Battle on the Summit~ (2000)
• Theme of Lupin III Pt. I & II (vinyl only) (2000)
• Afro Art Remixes (vinyl-only white label)
• Peeled Orange (2001)
• Great Singing Bird Sky (2001)
• Beautiful Burning Forest (2002)
• The Galaxy and Maze (2003)
• A Quick Drunkard (2003)
• Sekai chizu (2004)
• STROKE OF FATE (2004)
• Saraba tomo yo - Limited edition sold only at ANSWER TOUR concert venues
• Tsuioku no Lilac (2005)
• Sapphire no hoshi (2006)
• Hoshi furu yoru ni ((2006)

Live Albums 

• Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra Live (1991)
• Gunslingers (2001)
• On Tour (2004)

Videos

• Skapara Video (1991)
• Osamu's Amazing Songs (1992)
• TOKYOSKA: Everytime We Say Goodbye (1992)
• World Series from Tokyo Ska (1992)
• Skapara at Cabaret (1993)
• LIVE FANTASIA (1994)
• VIDEO FANTASIA (1994)
• LIVE GRAND PRIX (1995)
• 18540617 (1997)
• SKA EVANGELISTS ON THE RUN TOKYO SKA PARADISE ORCHESTRA 1998>>1999 (1999)
• DOWN BEAT SELECTOR (2002)
• DOWN BEAT ARENAYokohama Arena 7.7.2002(Complete) (DOWN BEAT ARENA) (2002)
• Europe Tour 2003 Road-Move (Catch the Rainbow (EUROPE TOUR 2003 CATCH THE RAINBOW) (2004)
• 15th Anniversary Live Since Debut (2005)

Soundtracks

• Tokyo Deluxe Original Soundtrack (1995)
• Incredible Crisis! Original Soundtrack (1999)
• New Moral Battle Homicide Original Soundtrack (2003)

Band Compilations

• gifted WINTER SELECTION (1993)
• THE BEST SELECTION (THE BEST SELECTION (タイ盤）(rare) (1996)
• MOODS FOR TOKYO SKA: WE DON'T KNOW WHAT SKA IS (1997)
• JUSTA RECORD COMPILATION Vol.1 (1999)
• BEST(1989-1997) (2002)
• SKA ME CRAZY: THE BEST Of TSPO (2005)
• Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra: Best of Tokyo Ska 1998~2007(March, 21 2007) - 26 songs selected by Kin-ichi Motegi

External Links

• Official website