Asa-Chang & Junray
ASA-CHANG & Junray is a band founded by Japanese percussionist ASA-CHANG, who was the founder and original bandmaster of Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra. After leaving the group in 1993, he formed ASA-CHANG & Junray in 1998 with programmer and guitarist Hidehiko Urayama. They were joined in 2000 by tabla player U-zhaan. Live, the group used a portable sound-system called 'Jun-Ray Tronics', hence the name; the word 'junray', however, also means 'pilgrimage'.
ASA-CHANG & Junray | |
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 ASA-CHANG & Junray | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Tokyo, Japan |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Labels | The Leaf Label, Oon Music Inc |
| Website | www.junray.com |
| Members |
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| Past members |
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In 2002, the British label The Leaf Label released Jun Ray Song Chang, which compiled the group's first two Japan-only albums. It was followed a year later by the mini album Tsu Gi Ne Pu. The group's song 'Hana' was featured on Fabric Live 07, while 'Tsuginepu To Ittemita' was included on a The Wire Tapper CD. The group's 2005 album, Minna no Junray, featured vocals by singer and actress Kyōko Koizumi.
On March 31, 2010, Urayama and U-zhaan left the band.
In 2012, saxophone flute player Yoshihiro Goseki and violinist Anzu Suhara joined as live members.
In 2013, their song "Hana" was re-done and used as the ending theme for the anime adaptation of Shuzo Oshimi's The Flowers of Evil. Several versions, including the original, are used throughout the series.
Members
- ASA-CHANG (Hirokazu Asakura, ex. Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra): percussion, tablabongo
- Yoshihiro Goseki (ex. DCPRG, ex. Zainichi Funk): sax, flute, vocal
- Anzu Suhara (ex. Led Act Sect): violin, guitar, vocal
Former members
- Hidehiko Urayama: guitar, music sequencer
- U-zhaan: tabla
Albums
- Tabla Magma Bongo, 1998 (Japan only)
- Hana, 2001 (Japan only)
- Jun Ray Song Chang, Leaf Label 2002
- Tsu Gi Ne Pu, Leaf Label 2003 (BBC review)
- Minna no Junray, 2005
- Kage No Nai Hito, 2009
- Mahou, 2016
- 事件, 2020
