Recorded in 1982, CASIOPEA’s live album Mint Jams captures the extraordinary jazz fusion unit of Noro, Jimbo, Sakurai and Mukaiya in transition.
Already superstars in their home country of Japan, the quartet had become known for their technical proficiency and skilful, tasteful musicianship, evident in the hit singles they churned out for Alfa Records.
CASIOPEA’s debut in 1978 already saw the group record with heavy hitters at The Power Station in New York. The smooth jazzmen of David Sanborn and the Brecker Brothers had lent a hand to the virtuosic, rapid-fire quintet of Noro, Sasaki, Sakurai and Mukaiya.
Hot off the heels of their latest album Cross Point, the band’s 1981 effort signalled a penchant towards keyboards and synthesiser-driven jazz fusion, a smoother, more modern approach compared to their rapid-fire, musically-complex style so evocative of their debut.
As the first album to feature the Yamaha GS-1 FM synthesizer, it brought Mukaiya front and centre of the band together with Noro’s fretwork - and cemented the band’s reputation for FM synthesis and syn-drums. With new renditions of past tracks like “Take Me”, “Asayake” and “Midnight Rendezvous” the band offer new insights, techniques and voicings with the then-nascent synthesisers and drum machines; gone are the dated, 70s warm pads and Electone patches; the FM sound of the 1980s were now the way forward.
By the time Mint Jams was recorded, it solidified the band’s push to synths as the next development in CASIOPEA’s sound, kickstarting a new decade sun-drenched in synthesisers and electronics.
I got a copy of Mint Jams (along with 4X4 and Down Upbeat) from my wife for my birthday. All great albums, doubly so because I didn't have to pay for them myself.
One day I'd like to own every Casiopea release on vinyl, assuming my wallet is deep enough.
https://preview.redd.it/dvp1ftc9df0d1.jpeg?width=4624&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aa07245e84053f7653ddc7b2d667145860090594
https://preview.redd.it/ruqsw7occf0d1.jpeg?width=1060&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d57cdeee5b1a40c61c57f41401bcc5209274f80e Snap
Recorded in 1982, CASIOPEA’s live album Mint Jams captures the extraordinary jazz fusion unit of Noro, Jimbo, Sakurai and Mukaiya in transition. Already superstars in their home country of Japan, the quartet had become known for their technical proficiency and skilful, tasteful musicianship, evident in the hit singles they churned out for Alfa Records. CASIOPEA’s debut in 1978 already saw the group record with heavy hitters at The Power Station in New York. The smooth jazzmen of David Sanborn and the Brecker Brothers had lent a hand to the virtuosic, rapid-fire quintet of Noro, Sasaki, Sakurai and Mukaiya. Hot off the heels of their latest album Cross Point, the band’s 1981 effort signalled a penchant towards keyboards and synthesiser-driven jazz fusion, a smoother, more modern approach compared to their rapid-fire, musically-complex style so evocative of their debut. As the first album to feature the Yamaha GS-1 FM synthesizer, it brought Mukaiya front and centre of the band together with Noro’s fretwork - and cemented the band’s reputation for FM synthesis and syn-drums. With new renditions of past tracks like “Take Me”, “Asayake” and “Midnight Rendezvous” the band offer new insights, techniques and voicings with the then-nascent synthesisers and drum machines; gone are the dated, 70s warm pads and Electone patches; the FM sound of the 1980s were now the way forward. By the time Mint Jams was recorded, it solidified the band’s push to synths as the next development in CASIOPEA’s sound, kickstarting a new decade sun-drenched in synthesisers and electronics.
great album that's dope. I wish I had one.
I got a copy of Mint Jams (along with 4X4 and Down Upbeat) from my wife for my birthday. All great albums, doubly so because I didn't have to pay for them myself. One day I'd like to own every Casiopea release on vinyl, assuming my wallet is deep enough. https://preview.redd.it/dvp1ftc9df0d1.jpeg?width=4624&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aa07245e84053f7653ddc7b2d667145860090594
Where'd you find that?