This would become Casiopea's longest running line-up in the band's history (guitarist Issei Noro, keyboardist Minoru Mukaiya, and bassist Yoshihiro Naruse, with drummers Masaaki Hiyama from 1990 to 1992, Noriaki Kumagai from 1993 to 1996, and the returning Akira Jimbo from 1997 to 2006). In 1997, Jimbo returned as a part-time member, recording more albums and writing compositions. In August 1992, Hiyama left the band due to health issues, and drummer Noriaki Kumagai replaced him later that year, first appearing in the album Dramatic in 1993, and the band returned to the Alfa label that year, then to Pony Canyon. With only Issei Noro and Minoru Mukaiya remaining from the original Casiopea lineup, bassist Yoshihiro Naruse and drummer Masaaki Hiyama joined the band, replacing both Sakurai and Jimbo. Noriaki Kumagai replaced Hiyama as drummer from 1993 to 1996. The band dissolved after releasing one album, and the two formed the duo Jimsaku in 1990. In 1989, Akira Jimbo and Tetsuo Sakurai, who played drums and bass, respectively, as part of the first "Classic Lineup" of Casiopea, split and recruited other musicians, including city pop singers Yurie Kokubu ( ja) and Kaoru Akimoto ( ja), to form Shambara ( ja) the same year. The band has toured Europe, South America, Australia, and Southeast Asia. The band's first overseas concert was in the United Kingdom in 1983. They then released Mint Jams (1982), followed during the same year by 4x4, which was recorded with Lee Ritenour, Harvey Mason, Nathan East, and Don Grusin.
The album Eyes of the Mind was released in the United States in 1981. "Galactic Funk" appeared on their 1981 album Cross Point (1981) with ten different versions recorded both live and in studio. After the end of the Super Flight tour in January 1980, Sasaki also left the band and Akira Jimbo would fill the drummer seat in the following month. They would also release the album Super Flight later that same year. The first label to sign them was Alfa Records, which released their album Casiopea, which was released in May 1979, featuring the Brecker brothers and David Sanborn as the brass section. Around this time, musicians like Prism guitarist Akira Wada, keyboardist Jun Fukamachi, guitarist Kenji Omura and others in the Japanese Fusion scene frequently appeared with the band as supporting members/special guests in some of their live performances (with their appearances ranging from 1977 to 1979, and 1980 for some). They would re-appear in the "YAMAHA EastWest '77" contest at this time, and they later made their official live debut in January 1978. They finally got their first permanent formation when Takashi Sasaki replaced Suzuki on Drums and Minoru Mukaiya replaced Koike on Keyboards in 1977. This was Casiopea's original formation, and both Koike and Suzuki left the band due to being busy with other projects at the time (Suzuki joining Prism, and Koike in other bands). One of the band's earliest appearances was at Yamaha's amateur band contest "EastWest '76" ( ja), featuring Issei Noro, Tetsuo Sakurai, Hidehiko Koike, and Tohru "Rika" Suzuki. Minoru Mukaiya (left) and Tetsuo Sakurai (right) are considered a part of Casiopea's "classic lineup." On July 1, 2022, it was announced that Yoshinori Imai would be the band's new drummer after Akira Jimbo left Casiopea 3rd, and the band would be rebranded as Casiopea-P4. Starting from 2012, they formed Casiopea 3rd as a spin-off from the original, featuring Kiyomi Otaka on keyboards and returning members, Issei Noro, Akira Jimbo, and Yoshihiro Naruse.
The group suspended all activity in 2006. Casiopea had released over 40 albums in Japan and around the world. In 1980, drummer Akira Jimbo joined the band. They recorded their debut album Casiopea (1979) with guest appearances by American jazz musicians Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker, and David Sanborn. In 1977, keyboardist Minoru Mukaiya and drummer Takashi Sasaki ( ja) joined, replacing Koike and Suzuki. Casiopea ( カシオペア, Kashiopea, derived from the name of the constellation Cassiopeia), now known in its fourth iteration as Casiopea-P4, is a Japanese jazz fusion band formed in 1976 by guitarist Issei Noro, bassist Tetsuo Sakurai, drummer Tohru "Rika" Suzuki, and keyboardist Hidehiko Koike.
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