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ENTERTAINMENT SPOTLIGHT

It's a standard response for bands to say they are surprised by their longevity and accomplishments, but Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, Japan's best-known ska act, are unlikely to be overly humble.

"When we first came together I knew this band would last for a really long time," baritone saxophonist Atsushi Yanaka says matter-of-factly. "Every member of our group has a lot of character and is very talented. Our talents complement one another really well. From the beginning I was sure that we would be successful."

Formed in 1988, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra debuted in 1989 with a 12-inch, six-song eponymous EP. Since then they have done countless domestic tours and have also made many forays overseas. Playing predominantly instrumental music, their entertaining, energetic performances — and snazzy matching stage attire (it never hurts to dress sharp) — have made them festival favorites around the globe.

At the beginning of July, the group spent two weeks performing at festivals in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Spain, Holland, France and Belgium. All served as good primers for their upcoming concerts at local large-scale outings Fuji Rock, Rising Sun Rock Festival, Monster Bash and Arabaki Rock Fest.

"Playing European festivals is always a lot of fun," Yanaka tells The Japan Times by phone from Zamardi, Hungary prior to taking the stage at the Heineken Balaton Sound Festival. "We had a fantastic time playing at the Rock for People Festival in Prague on this tour. The crowd was very similar to Japanese audiences. They were very polite, but were also really excited and enthusiastic during our set. Some people were even singing along to our instrumental songs."

As good as the European crowds were, according to Yanaka they've got nothing on Mexican fans.

"We went to Mexico for the first time in April to perform at the Viva Latino Festival and Revolution Fest," he says. "It was a lot of fun. The audience was fantastic. They were so loud that we couldn't hear ourselves playing."

Fuji Rock attendees can take that as a challenge. Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra are scheduled to make their seventh appearance at the festival on July 30. Their sixth time appearing on the massive Green Stage (40,000 capacity), this summer they have been billed as second headliners after legendary English rock band the Faces. Will folks in Naeba be able to match the reception Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra received in Mexico?

Twilight Dub Circus | Decibel Festival

Currently based in The Netherlands, Twilight Circus ringmaster Ryan Moore grew up in Canada and was immersed early on in Dub & Reggae. Moore first learned to play instruments by playing along with classic Jamaican recordings, spending countless hours as a youth playing deep reggae grooves. He has been active in the music world since 1981, appearing as a musician on over 60 albums with various artists in numerous genres. A Dub fanatic of the first degree since teenage days, his first studio experiments took place in the mid 80′s and when he moved to The Netherlands in 1991, virtually unlimited access to recording studio equipment allowed his knob twisting tendencies to develop to the point of no return. In the studio multi-instrumentalist Moore plays and mixes all the tracks himself. Twilight Circus is becoming increasingly popular and well-known for Moore’s work with artists such as Big Youth , Michael Rose of Black Uhuru and Ranking Joe . He originally started off producing dub albums from his Dutch studio, before recording vocalists for inclusion on his critically acclaimed Foundation Rockers album. In the classic tradition of reggae Ryan continues to release singles, oft in limited edition format on 10 inch singles. Participants in Twilight Circus have included: Sly Dunbar, Robbie Shakespeare, Dean Fraser, Michael Rose (Black Uhuru), Luciano, Mikey General, Big Youth, Skully, Vin Gordon (Bob Marley), Chinna Smith (Ziggy Marley), Eddie ‘Tan Tan’ Thornton (Aswad), Buttons (UB40), Ansel Collins, Style Scott (Dub Syndicate), Bobby Ellis (Studio One), Admiral Tibet, Jah Stitch, Sugar Minott, Queen Ifrica, Fred Locks, Max Romeo, Gregory Isaacs, Mafia&Fluxy, Cevin Key (Skinny Puppy), DJ Spooky, Mad Professor, Ryan Moore has participated in nearly 100 album projects in various genres including work with The Legendary Pink Dots, Skinny Puppy, various Nettwerk Records albums, Sarah McLachlan, The Tear Garden, Keith Levine (P.I.L.

Billboard

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Billboard