[Pleasant & refreshing]
No.100EX "Sunny side feelin' " by Casiopea
Hi. We have just reached the memorable No.100 post. Congraturations!
We would like to continue posting in our pace as long as the environment allows us. Thank you for your continuous support.
Now, Today's song is a nice fusion instrumental "Sunny side Feelin'" by a Japanese leading Fusion band "CASIOPEA".
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Index
1. Song data
| Title | Sunnyside Feelin' |
|---|---|
| Artist | CASIOPEA |
| Album Title | Cross point or The soundgraphy |
| Catalog Number | MHCL-20008(Cross point) or MHCL-20013(The SG) |
| Track No. | 7 or 4 |
| Duration | 4:12 |
| Released | 1981(C.P.) or 1984(The.SG) |
| Publisher | Alfa records |
| Lyricist | Instrumental music |
| Composer | Akira Jimbo |
| Arranger | Issei Noro |
- About the creators
Akira JimboComposer
Akira Jimbo is a renowned drummer, composer, and an element of a fusion band "Pyramid", also a former member of "Casiopea", and a support member of "Casiopea 3rd".
Multi-armed deity
The technical brilliance of Akira Jimbo's drum play is just superb, and people usually feel it is inimitable.
It is blistering fast, accurate, and melodious as if he has 10 arms and 10 legs with him.
Then fans presented him a honorable nick name "Senju Kan-non"(Multiarmed deity)", who is one of the god in Buddhism, and possesses 1000 arms and 1000 eyes for rescuing all the people in the world.
(Please check the linked wikipedia page for photo.)
Challenge for writing music
The most of "Casiopea" melodies had been written by "Issei Noro" from debut to the 3rd album.
In 1980, "Issei Noro",the leader of "Casiopea", asked for the members to write a song or more for their 4th album "Make up city", since he had to be hospitalized, then could not take enough time to create songs.
Different from other members, "Akira Jimbo" had no former experience for writing a music.
He then frequented to the hospital to learn the method of creating music from Mr.Noro.
Pleasant & Refreshing
Then he completed his first song "Ripple dance". This was thrilling & Refreshing, and actually very good fusion instrumental, which was enough to prove his talent for song writing.
And in 1981, he composed his 2nd song for Casiopea's 6th album "Cross point". That was this song "Sunny side feelin'".
(Ref: Wikipedia-en, Akira Jimbo)
(Ref: Wikipedia-en, Make Up City)
Issei NoroArranger
Issei Noro is a famed guitarist, composer, arranger, producer, and a leader of "Casiopea" since the band was formed in 1977.
Super guitarist
He is very famous particularly among guitarists with his incredible super guitar technique. Quickly after debut, his play attracted millions of guitar boys and girls much, and many of them tried to copy his beautiful phrase.
But for the ordinary players, it was far too difficult, and they realized how exceptional he is.
Sensible arranger
He is also an admired composer and arranger, since quite a few of "Casiopea"s songs, which have a beautiful chord progression, phrase, and harmony, were created by him.
In the most of Casiopea song, there is a solo part or few bars clause, where each members can appeal their performances.
It well contrasted with the ensemble part and highlights the super technique of each band members.
This trick seems to be prepared by "Issei Noro" when he is carefully arranging songs. That maybe why people praise him as a talented arranger.
Interview clip
Here is a short clip of an "Issei Noro" interview.
Cover art
- Sound impressions
Pleasant & refreshing
This is a light and comfortable pop instrumental music in an upper middle speed 8 beat.
A few shots of tam-tam begins the introduction, then the bass, guitar, acoustic piano, and the synthesizer join.
While the bass and drums creates a tripping rhythm, the acoustic piano, and later the guitar plays the main melody.
No instruments are showing off. All keeps good balance and they are creating a good harmony.
It is perhaps the reason why the music sounds so relaxing.
This ensemble might gives a simple impression for the first time.
But it seems there are 7 instruments involved, namely the bass, drums, conga, side guitar, lead guitar, acoustic piano and the synthesizers.
Using a variery of ingredients, but appearance is simple. It is just like some artistic Japanese cuisine.
- Reference
- About the artist
A super group in J-fusion
A Jazz-rock, or fusion instrumental band "Casiopea" was formed in 1977 by 4 skilled musicians.
It is one of the most successful instrumental band in recent Japan's popular music, and a rare Japanese group obtained certain level of international popularity.
The band was debuted in 1979 with their 1st album "CASIOPEA". Since then, 11 singles, and 33 original, 18 live, and 32 best albums have been released until now.
As is customary with a band, Casiopea has had a member change for few times. But the band is still active, and just celebrated their 40 years anniversary in 2017.
The 1st Member change
As mentioned earlier, "Casiopea" was teamed up in 1977 by 4 members namely, "Issei Noro"(G), "Tetso Saito"(B), "Minoru Mukaiya", and "Takashi Sasaki".
As an instrumental group, "Casiopea" was achieving reasonable success since debut.
In 1979, due to the difference in direction of music, Takashi Sasaki departed from the band. Then, the members of Casiopea came down to hunt for a new drummer.
In the autumn, they found a brilliant young drummer at Keio university.
Casiopea members proposed him to join the group in turns. And the young man, his name was "Akira Jimbo", finally accepted their proposal and became a member in 1980.
Fusion boom
In Japan, from the late '70s to the mid '80s was a period which fusion instrumental music became very popular.
In the late '70s, quite a few of very talented, high potential fusion groups, like T-Square, Prism, Spectrum, Carioca, and our "Casiopea" etc, were debuted one after next.
These groups competed hard on sound quality and playing technique. Such heated situations attracted young fans, and created a big movement.
Going international
The early '80s maybe a dawn when the Japanese popular music started to earn some level of international attention.
The most prominent example was "Yellow magic orchestra", which specialized for an electronic music, and became popular in all over the world.
Not exactly equivalent, but "Casiopea" also expanded their field to the overseas from 1982. And achieved an exceptional level of success as a Japanese fusion band.
My pace
After the '90s, due to the changes in the world, the Jazz fusion boom of the '80s became past.
"Casiopea" member's life also returned to normal, but they continued to release albums at the same pace as before.
This rhythm of "Casiopea" had lasted until 2006, when they had halted the band activities for an indefinite period.
In 2012, they resumed the band activity with a new member. Their rhythm seems it has been slightly changed, but again, it is a good pace.
(Ref: Wikipedia-en, Akira Jimbo)
(Ref: Wikipedia-jp, Fusion(music) )
Music clip
Finally, here is a music clip of a recent, sophisticated version of "Sunny side feelin'" by "Akira Jimbo", from his solo album "Jimbo de Jimbo 80's" in 2015.
It is very different from "Casiopea" one. Please compare.
- Samples from online music stores
About the samples
Please go to the page below, and just play or click track No.4.
Trial button is on the left side of the song title.
The soundgraphy
Today, we have chosen the best album "The soundgraphy" instead of its first appeared album "Cross point".
Because we suppose this best album will be a good start point for everyone, since it contains all the hit songs of early "Casiopea".
So, if you wish to see "Cross point", please check this page at Amazon.
AD : Free listening samples
Amazon JP(en)
recochoku.jp
Apple Music(jp)
4
8. Japanese Letters
| Song Title | Sunnyside Feelin' |
|---|---|
| Artist | CASIOPEA |
| Album Title | ザ サウンドグラフィー (The soundgraphy) |
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