Casiopea – PLATINUM (Color Vinyl) [Limited Release]

Masayoshi Takanaka, Jun Fukamachi, and CASIOPEA, along with artists once appreciated mainly by connoisseurs such as The Players, Himiko Kikuchi, and NORIKI, as well as acts regarded as avant-garde like Mariah and Ryo Kawasaki, have all become uniformly popular. It should still be fresh in memory that the compilation “CROSSOVER CITY,” a joint project by five major labels, was released and drew major attention. A particularly notable recent trend is the strong interest in ambient- and techno-oriented works, as well as works listened to like background music, such as soundtracks. As the listener base has expanded significantly to younger generations, preconceived notions about crossover/fusion have collapsed, and the music is now listened to more freely with new sensibilities. In light of this situation, the lineup this time is selected from Universal Music’s extensive catalog. Naturally, the focus is on titles that have not previously been released on analog or are rare items, and only works that seem likely to see strong vinyl demand, including inbound demand, have been carefully chosen. This is a limited first-press release. Each title will be released on colored vinyl that expands the image of the jacket artwork. [Album Description] “Once again, Japanese crossover/fusion is hot right now!” As a development of, or spin-off phenomenon from, the global boom in the reappraisal of city pop, Japanese fusion has rapidly risen since around last year. As CASIOPEA reached its 10th anniversary, the band became independent from Alfa Records, where they had long been at home. They launched their own label “Aura” under Polydor (now Universal Music) and released this as the first title after their move. Recording took place in New York, and the album incorporates the sharp dance beats that were in vogue at the time. With a fresh start, it is an album characterized by lively, buoyant grooves. Participants include the popular Brazilian singer-songwriter Djavan, whom they met on a South America tour the previous year; percussionist Steve Thornton, who has performed with Miles Davis and Sadao Watanabe; and distinctive saxophonist Lenny Pickett, who was also a member of Tower of Power. (Original release: 1987.) Remastering and cutting: Katsutoshi Kitamura (Mixer’s Labo). Clear lime-yellow vinyl.