Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, commonly abbreviated by fans as Skapara or TSPO, is a Japanese ska and jazz band formed in 1988 by the percussionist Asa-Chang, and initially composed of over 10 veterans of Tokyo's underground scene. At the time, the band's sound was unlike that of any of its contemporaries in the then fledgling Japanese ska scene, and over the course of the past 31 years, they have been influential on Japanese music as a whole. Its sound, the product of the musical influences of its members, is a mix of traditional ska, jazz, and rock. In the vein of many other more traditional ska acts, many of Skapara's songs are purely instrumental.
The Rock Records Co., Ltd. commonly known as Rock Records (滾石唱片), is a record label based in Taipei, Taiwan. Founded in the 1980s as the Rock Music Publishing (滾石有聲出版社) by Tuan Chung-tan and Tuan Chung-i, It is the largest record label in Chinese-speaking world and the second largest independent record label in Asia.
I Am... is the fourth studio album by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released on New Years Day, 2002 via Avex Trax and their Taiwan-based headquarters. It was distributed in two physical formats—a standard CD and Playbutton—and for digital consumption. After the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York City, United States, Hamasaki, whom started working on her new project, changed the original music and design direction by emphasizing lighter themes than her previous work. As a result, the record delves with hope, peace and love, superimposed on J-Pop-inspired rock music.
Loveppears is the second studio album by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released in Japan, Hong Kong and China on November 10, 1999 through Avex Trax and the China Record Corporation, and distributed worldwide on April 10, 2001 by Avex Entertainment Inc. It was entirely written by Hamasaki herself, while the production was handled by Japanese musician Max Matsuura. Musically, Loveppears is a dance album and lyrically focuses on themes of love, frustration of life, loneliness, and individualism.
Olivia Ong is a Singaporean singer and actress. The majority of her works are in Mandarin Chinese, but she has also recorded songs in English, Cantonese and Japanese. In her early days, her entertainment career focused on singing jazz covers, but she has since moved on to Mandarin pop.
Shinichi Osawa, better known by his stage name Mondo Grosso, is a Japanese musician, DJ, record producer and composer currently signed onto Avex Trax's Rhythm Zone label. Previously he was signed to Sony Music Japan's FEARLESS RECORDS division and released albums under the title of Mondo Grosso. Over the course of his career he has worked in genres from acid jazz to house, with strong influences of underground club music, though his recent work has been in the genre of electro house. HMV Japan rated Mondo Grosso at #95 on their "Top 100 Japanese Pop Artists" and Shinichi Osawa is ranked as Japan's #1 electro house DJ and Japan's #3 overall DJ by TopDeejays.com.
Avex Inc. (,) is a Japanese entertainment conglomerate led by founder Max Matsuura and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Founded in 1988, the company manages J-pop talents like Ayumi Hamasaki and internet sensation PikoTaro. It has also shifted into other business domains like anime, video games and live music events, partnering with Ultra Music Festival and hosting the annual A-nation. The company is a member of the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) keiretsu.
"Boys & Girls" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki, serving as the fourth single for her second studio album, Loveppears (1999). It was released by Avex Trax in Japan and Hong Kong on July 14, 1999, and through Avex USA in North America in early 2001, while being re-distributed in 2003. "Boys & Girls" marks Hamasaki's first single to be made available for purchase as a maxi single with additional remixes. The track was written by the singer herself, while production was handled by long-time collaborator Max Matsuura. Musically, the song is a dance recording, a genre that heavily influences Loveppears. The single's lyrical content is written in third-person perspective.
Rhythm Zone (RZN) is a record label in the Avex Group that releases urban contemporary Japanese music.
"Free Free" is a song by Japanese recording artist Ami Suzuki and producer Yasutaka Nakata, taken from her sixth studio album Dolce (2008). It was released on August 22, 2007 through Avex Trax and was distributed into three physical formats and for digital consumption. Additionally, the track appeared as a double A-side to "Super Music Maker", another recording by Suzuki and Nakata. Suzuki first started working with the producer in late 2006 after her staff at Avex noticed the singers engagement with dance-oriented music whilst performing at night clubs, and wanted to pair her with a musician that dealt with electronic dance music.
"One" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist Ami Suzuki for her seventh studio album, Supreme Show (2008). It was written and produced by Japanese producer and Capsule member Yasutaka Nakata. The track is Suzuki's third single with Nakata after her August 2007 single's "Free Free" and "Super Music Maker". "One" premiered on June 18, 2008 as the lead single from the album.
Avex Trax is a record label owned by Japanese entertainment conglomerate Avex Inc.. The label was launched in September 1990, and was the first label by the Group.
"Can't Stop the Disco" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist Ami Suzuki for her seventh studio album, Supreme Show (2008). It was written and produced by Japanese producer and Capsule member Yasutaka Nakata. The track is Suzuki's third single with Nakata after her June 2008 single "One". "Can't Stop the Disco" premiered on September 24, 2008 as the second single from the album.
Supreme Show is the seventh studio album by Japanese recording artist Ami Suzuki. It was released on November 12, 2008 by Avex Trax as her 10th Anniversary album. It was also released ten months after her joint project album, Dolce. Supreme Show is Suzuki's first album to be fully produced, composed, and arranged by Japanese musician and Capsule member Yasutaka Nakata. Suzuki contributed to the album as the lead vocalist, background vocalist, and co-songwriter for the track "Love Mail". With tracks recorded in both English and Japanese language, Supreme Show is an electronic dance music album.
Next Level is the tenth studio album by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released through Avex Trax on March 25, 2009 in five physical formats, and for digital consumption. The album was solely produced by Avex Trax owner Max Matsuura, whereas the album's content was written by Hamasaki herself. Additionally, it marks a return for several composers that helped construct her previous records, including Dai Nagao, CMJK, Kazuhiro Hara, HΛL, amongst others. Stylistically, Next Level is a departure from her previous albums, focusing on electronic music with elements of rock and dance.
"Reincarnation" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist Ami Suzuki for her second greatest hits album, Ami Selection (2011). It was written by Emi Hinouchi and production was handled by Taku Takahashi. The track is Suzuki's first collaboration with both Hinouchi and Takahashi. "Reincarnation" premiered on February 25, 2009 as the lead single from the album. The CD and digital cover sleeve has a close-up of Suzuki hovering a GCI bubble. The DVD cover sleeve features a slightly altered version of the former.
Contemode, stylized in all lowercase, was a Japanese record label founded by Yasutaka Nakata in 2003. The label was based in Shibuya, Tokyo and specialized in a variety of music styles including electropop, Shibuya-kei, lounge, dance, and hardcore house. Yamaha Music Communications, the music subsidiary of Yamaha, was its official parent company, while Avex Trax served as its distributor. In 2013, the label officially ceased operations.
Avex Taiwan Inc is an entertainment and record label based in Taiwan. It was founded in July 1998 and is a foreign consolidated subsidiary of parent company Avex Group, based in Japan. As of 2015, Avex Taiwan is managed by Avex International Holdings (Singapore) Proprietary Ltd. Its main businesses are planning, creation, and sales of music (CDs) and video (DVDs). Apart from producing music for artists based in Taiwan, it also distributes for other Avex and foreign artists, such as Kumi Koda and Super Junior.
"Super Music Maker" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist and songwriter Ami Suzuki, for her sixth studio album Dolce (2008) and a re-recorded version for her seventh album Supreme Show (2008). Featuring Japanese record producer and Capsule member Yasutaka Nakata, the song was released as the lead single and double a-side single with "Free Free" from Dolce on August 22, 2007 through Avex Trax. Nakata had written, produced and arranged both tracks and is her first single to be handled by Nakata following later singles from her album Supreme Show (2008). Backed by synthesizers and keyboards, "Free Free" incorporates a new genre called "Eropop" with influences of electronic dance, house and disco music. The lyrical interpretation was based on the theme of erotica and freedom.
