JAM Project

JAM Project

JAM Project at Chibi Japan Expo in Paris (2008)
Background information
Genres Anison, metal, rock, VGM
Years active 2000–present
Labels Lantis
Website http://www.jamjamsite.com/
Members
Ichirou Mizuki
Hironobu Kageyama
Masaaki Endoh
Rica Matsumoto
Hiroshi Kitadani
Masami Okui
Yoshiki Fukuyama
Ricardo Cruz
Past members
Eizo Sakamoto

JAM Project ("JAM" standing for "Japan Animationsong Makers") is an anime music genre (or anison) "supergroup" based in Japan, originally founded on July 19, 2000 by famous 1970s theme song artist Ichirou Mizuki. The group is composed of many vocal artists well known in the genre; aside from the many anime, tokusatsu, and video game theme songs that this group has performed together, each member is famous for his or her own solo performances of Japanese theme songs.[1]

Contents

Members

Regular members

Semi-regular members

Former members

Skills

JAM Project, overall, is a well-balanced group made from members with incredible vocal technique, allowing them to sing for hours and still sound just fine. All of the members can sing high notes and low notes alike with no apparent trouble, and uniquely, they can all use vibrato consistently, with the exception of Hironobu, Ichirou and Eizo, whose vibratos are obtrusive. Each member is unique in their own way, being a pillar for the group's solid performances. Below are some of the members' traits:

Discography

Singles

  1. "Kaze ni Nare" (疾風になれ?, "The Wind Blows") c/w "CRAZY REVOLUTION" - July 26, 2000
    Both feat. Rica Matsumoto & Hironobu Kageyama
    OVA éx-Driver opening theme & insert song
  2. "Danger Zone" (Eizo Sakamoto & Masaaki Endoh) c/w "It's Emotion" performed by M Rie of MILK - November 22, 2000
    Anime movie éx-Driver Clip theme song
  3. "STORM" c/w "RISING" - December 21, 2000
    Both feat. Ichirou Mizuki & Hironobu Kageyama
    OVA Shin Getter Robo vs Neo Getter Robo opening & ending theme
  4. "SOULTAKER" c/w "KI·ZU·NA" - April 21, 2001
    TV anime The SoulTaker opening theme
  5. "Hagane no Messiah" (鋼の救世主（メシア） Hagane no Meshia?, "Steel Messiah") c/w "POWER" - April 25, 2001
    PlayStation game Super Robot Wars Alpha Gaiden opening & ending theme
  6. "FIRE WARS" (feat. Hironobu Kageyama) c/w "TORNADO" - September 29, 2001
    Feat. Ichirou Mizuki
    OVA Mazinkaiser opening & ending theme
  7. "CRUSH GEAR FIGHT!" c/w "Ai da yo ne!! ~Gear o Tsunagou~" (愛だよねっ！！～ギアをつなごう～ Ai da yo ne!! ~Gia o Tsunagou~?, "Love Asks!! ~Connect the Gears~") - October 30, 2001
    TV anime Gekitou! Crush Gear Turbo opening & ending theme
  8. "Over the Top!" c/w "In my Heart" - October 30, 2001
    Both feat. Eizo Sakamoto & Masaaki Endoh & Hironobu Kageyama
    PlayStation 2 game Kikou Busou G-Breaker: Legend of Cloudia opening & ending theme
  9. "LADY FIGHTER!" c/w "Unmei no Ito" (運命の糸?, "Threads of Fate") - November 29, 2001
    Both feat. Rica Matsumoto
    PlayStation 2 game Sunrise Eiyuutan 2 opening & ending theme
  10. "Kaze no EAGLE" (風のEAGLE Kaze no Īguru?, "Wind Eagle" feat. Hironobu Kageyama) c/w "Alright now!" (feat. Rica Matsumoto) c/w "CRUSH GEAR FIGHT!" (remix version) - April 3, 2002
    TV anime Gekitou! Crush Gear Turbo Kouya Marino image song & show theme song
  11. "GO!!" c/w "DEPARTURE" - April 24, 2002
    PlayStation 2 game Super Robot Wars Impact opening & ending theme
  12. "GET UP CRUSH FIGHTER!" (feat. Hironobu Kageyama & Rica Matsumoto & Eizo Sakamoto & Masaaki Endoh) c/w "Alright now! ~Movie Re-mix ver.~" (feat. Rica Matsumoto) - July 24, 2002
    Anime movie Gekito! Crush Gear Turbo: Kaizerburn no Chousen! insert song & ending theme
  13. "Nageki no Rosario" (嘆きのロザリオ Nageki no Rozario?, "Rosary of Grief") c/w "Gasshin! God Gravion" (合神！ゴッドグラヴィオン?, "Combine! God Gravion" feat. Masaaki Endoh)) - October 23, 2002
    TV anime Choujuushin Gravion opening theme & insert song
  14. "Go! Go! Rescue" (Go!Go!レスキュー Gō! Gō! Resukyū?) c/w "March of Rescue Hero" (マーチ・オブ・レスキューヒーロー Māchi Obu Resukyū Hīrō?) - February 26, 2003
    Both feat. Hiroshi Kitadani & Masaaki Endoh & Rica Matsumoto
    TV anime Shutsugeki! Machine Robo Rescue opening & ending theme
  15. "Little Wing" c/w "In the Chaos" - April 23, 2003
    Both feat. Masami Okui
    TV anime Scrapped Princess opening theme & TV anime Galaxy Angel (3rd season) final ending theme
  16. "SKILL" c/w "FOREVER & EVER" - April 23, 2003
    PlayStation 2 game 2nd Super Robot Wars Alpha opening & ending theme
  17. "The Gate of the Hell" (feat. Yoshiki Fukuyama) c/w "Senshi yo Nemure…" (戦士よ眠れ…?, "Sleeping Soldier…" feat. Yoshiki Fukuyama) c/w "Majin Kenzan!!" (魔神見参！！?, "Demon Arrives!!" feat. Masaaki Endoh) - August 6, 2003
    OVA Mazinkaiser: Shitou! Ankoku Daishogun opening & ending theme & insert song
  18. "Destination" c/w "Promise ~Mirai e no Chikai~" (Promise～未来への誓い～?, "Promise ~Vow to the Future~) - September 26, 2003
    Both feat. Rica Matsumoto
    PlayStation 2 game Sunrise World War from Sunrise Eiyuutan opening & ending theme
  19. "Kurenai no Kiba" (紅ノ牙?, "Crimson Fang") c/w "Ennō Gasshin! Sol Gravion!!" (炎皇合神！ソルグラヴィオン！！ Ennō Gasshin! Soru Guravion!!?, "Flame Emperor Combination! Sol Gravion!!" feat. Yoshiki Fukuyama) - January 21, 2004
    TV anime Choujuushin Gravion Zwei opening theme & insert song
  20. "VICTORY" c/w "Yakusoku no Chi" (約束の地?, "Promised Land") - April 21, 2004
    PlayStation 2 game Super Robot Wars MX opening & ending theme
  21. "DRAGON" c/w "No Serenity" (feat. Hironobu Kageyama & Masaaki Endoh & Yoshiki Fukuyama) - April 21, 2004
    OVA New Getter Robo opening & ending theme
  22. "VOYAGER" - May 26, 2004
    TV anime Panda-Z: The Robonimation opening & ending theme
  23. "Genkai Battle" (限界バトル Genkai Batoru?, "Battle Limit") c/w "Battle Communication!!" - November 26, 2004
    TV anime Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Monsters GX' 1st ending theme
  24. "Muv-Luv Alternative Insertion Song Collection" - May 25, 2005
    Includes "Asu e no Hōkō" (未来への咆哮?, "Howls to Tomorrow" feat. Hironobu Kageyama & Hiroshi Kitadani & Yoshiki Fukuyama), "Tsubasa" (翼?, "Wings") by Hironobu Kageyama, and "Carry on" by Masaaki Endoh
  25. "Meikyū no Prisoner" (迷宮のプリズナー Meikyū no Purizunā?, "Labyrinth Prisoner") c/w "Neppū! Shippū! Cybaster" (熱風！疾風！サイバスター Neppū! Shippū! Saibasutā?, "Hot Wind! Strong Wind! Cybaster" feat. Hironobu Kageyama & Masaaki Endoh & Hiroshi Kitadani & Yoshiki Fukuyama) - June 22, 2005
    OVA Super Robot Wars Original Generation: The Animation opening theme & insert song
  26. "GONG" c/w "Brother in Faith" - August 3, 2005
    PlayStation 2 game Super Robot Wars Alpha 3 opening & ending theme
  27. "GARO ~SAVIOR IN THE DARK~" (牙狼～SAVIOR IN THE DARK～?) c/w "Fencer of GOLD" - January 25, 2006
    Tokusatsu series GARO second opening theme
  28. "Break Out" c/w "The everlasting" - November 1, 2006
    TV anime Super Robot Wars Original Generation: Divine Wars opening theme
  29. "RISING FORCE" c/w "Fight to the end ~Seisen~" (Fight to the end～聖戦～?, "Fight to the end ~Holy War~") - February 21, 2007
    TV anime Super Robot Wars Original Generation: Divine Wars Super Spirit Inspire theme song & image song
  30. "STORMBRINGER" c/w "Dead or Alive" - April 25, 2007
    TV anime Kotetsushin Jeeg opening theme & insert song
    "STORMBRINGER" features Ichirou Mizuki in his only performance since his semi-retirement
  31. "Divine love" (feat. Hiroshi Kitadani) c/w "IN FATE" - April 25, 2007
    TV anime Saint Beast: Kouin Jojishi Tenshi Tan opening theme & PlayStation 2 game Saint Beast: Rasen no Shou theme song
  32. "DRAGON STORM 2007" c/w "SPACE GATE #2" - August 8, 2007
    Professional wrestling event DRAGON GATE official theme song for 2007
  33. "Rocks" c/w "Portal" - August 8, 2007
    PlayStation 2 game Super Robot Wars OG: Original Generations opening & ending theme and PlayStation 2 game Super Robot Wars Original Generation Gaiden opening theme
  34. "No Border" c/w "HERO" - January 23, 2008
    JAM Project's Original Single, last recording with Rica Matsumoto before her hiatus
  35. "Crest of“Z's”" c/w "Cosmic Dance" - September 26, 2008
    PlayStation 2 game Super Robot Wars Z opening and ending theme
  36. "Hello Darwin! ~Kōkishin on Demand~" (ハローダーウィン!～好奇心オンデマンド～ Harō Dāwin! ~Kōkishin on Demando~?, "Hello Darwin! ~Curiosity on Demand~") c/w "Hallelujah!!" (晴レルヤ!! Hareruya!!?) - October 22, 2008
    TV anime Sgt. Frog 9th opening theme and 16th ending theme
  37. "No Border (English ver.)" c/w "HERO (English ver.)" - January 25, 2009
    Digitally released to the Japanese iTunes Store
  38. "Space Roller Coster GO GO!" c/w "Hasta Mañana!!" (アスタマニア～ナ!! Asuta Maniāna!!?) - March 4, 2009
    Anime movie Kero Zero: It's a Start! All Set!! (ケロ0 出発だよ! 全員集合!! Kerozero Shuppatsu dayo! Zen'in Shūgō?) theme
    "Space Roller Coster GO GO!" features the J-pop group NICE GIRL μ in their first collaboration work.
  39. "Rescue Fire" (レスキューファイアー Resukyū Faiā?) c/w "Three Souls" - May 27, 2009
    Tokusatsu series Tomica Hero: Rescue Fire opening theme
  40. "Shugojin-The Guardian" (守護神-The guardian?) c/w "Godest!" - August 5, 2009
    TV anime Shin Mazinger Shougeki! Z Hen 2nd opening Theme
  41. "Battle No Limit!" c/w "Bonds of Friendship" - October 7, 2009
    TV anime Battle Spirits: Shōnen Gekiha Dan opening Theme
  42. "Bōken Ō ~Across the legendary kingdom~" (冒険王 ～Across the legendary kingdom～?, "Adventure King ~Across the Legendary Kingdom~") c/w "BIG BANG EXPLOSION ~Song for Ragnarok Party~" - October 28, 2009
    Online Game Ragnarok Online Ragnarok World Championship 2009 event theme song
  43. "Baku-chin Kan-ryo! Rescue Fire" (爆鎮完了！レスキューファイアー Bakuchin Kanryō! Resukyū Faiā?, "Explosive Extinguishing Complete! Rescue Fire") c/w "Ide yo GaiaLeon" (いでよ ガイアレオン Ide yo Gaiareon?, "Come Forth GaiaLeon" feat. Masaaki Endoh) - November 11, 2009
    Tokusatsu series Tomica Hero: Rescue Fire 2nd opening theme
  44. "TRANSFORMERS EVO" c/w "PRAISE BE TO DECEPTICON" - April 21, 2010
    TV series Transformers: Animated opening Theme
  45. "MAXON" c/w "LONGING" - October 27, 2010
    TV anime Super Robot Wars Original Generation: The Inspector 1st opening theme
  46. "Vanguard" c/w "Go! Stand up!" - February 23, 2011
    TV anime Cardfight!! Vanguard opening theme
  47. "NOAH" c/w "Negai" (願い?, "Wish") - April 27, 2011
    PlayStation Portable game 2nd Super Robot Wars Z: Destruction Chapter opening and ending theme
  48. "Believe In My Existence" c/w "Yumegokochi yah! yah! yah!" (夢心地 yah! yah! yah!?, "Dreamy state of mind yah! yah! yah!") - October 5, 2011
    TV anime Cardfight!! Vanguard 2nd opening theme
  49. "Waga Na wa Garo" (我が名は牙狼?, "My Name Is Garo") c/w "PREDESTINATION" & "PROMISE～Without you～" - January 25, 2012
    Both B-sides featuring Masami Okui
    TV drama Garo: Makai Senki opening and ending themes

Albums

  1. BEST Project ~JAM Project Best Collection~
    Released on March 6, 2002
    1. "CRUSH GEAR FIGHT!"
    2. "Hagane no Messiah"
    3. "LADY FIGHTER!"
    4. "STORM"
    5. "FIRE WARS"
    6. "In my Heart"
    7. "SOULTAKER"
    8. "Unmei no Ito"
    9. "TORNADO"
    10. "Danger Zone"
    11. "CRAZY REVOLUTION"
    12. "RISING"
    13. "Ai da yo ne!! ~Gear o Tsunagou~"
    14. "Kaze ni Nare!"
    15. Over the Top!"
    16. "POWER"
    17. "KI·ZU·NA"
  2. FREEDOM ~JAM Project Best Collection II~
    Released on September 3, 2003
    1. "SKILL (album version)"
    2. "Nageki no Rosario"
    3. "Little Wing"
    4. "FREEDOM"
    5. "Gasshin! God Gravion"
    6. "GO! GO! Rescue"
    7. "in the Chaos"
    8. "GET UP CRUSH FIGHTER!"
    9. "DEPARTURE"
    10. "Alright now! (remix version)"
    11. "March of Rescue Hero"
    12. "Kaze no EAGLE"
    13. "GO!!"
    14. "FOREVER & EVER"
    15. "DAYS ~Bokura no Mirai~" (DAYS～僕らの未来～ Deizu ~Bokura no Mirai~?, "DAYS ~Our Future~")
  3. JAM-ISM ~JAM Project Best Collection III~
    Released on September 23, 2004
    1. "VICTORY"
    2. "Kurenai no Kiba"
    3. "VOYAGER"
    4. "Cry for the Earth"
    5. "DRAGON"
    6. "Destination"
    7. "Senshi yo Nemure…"
    8. "Yakusoku no Chi"
    9. "Majin Kenzan!!"
    10. "No Serenity"
    11. "The Gate of the Hell"
    12. "Promise ~Mirai e no Chikai~"
    13. "Ennō Gasshin! Sol Gravion!!"
    14. "Peaceful One"
  4. Olympia ~JAM Project Best Collection IV~
    Released on April 5, 2006
    1. "GONG (album version)"
    2. "GARO ~SAVIOR IN THE DARK~"
    3. "Olympia"
    4. "Genkai Battle"
    5. "Meikyū no Prisoner"
    6. "Battle Communication!!"
    7. "Asu e no Hōkō"
    8. "Protect you"
      Super Robot Wars Original Generation: The Animation Vol.1 ending theme
    9. "Fencer of GOLD"
    10. "Name of the Truth"
      Super Robot Wars Original Generation: The Animation Vol.2 ending theme
    11. "Hoshizora no Requiem" (星空のレクイエム Hoshizora no Rekuiemu?, "Requiem of a Starry Sky")
      Super Robot Wars Original Generation: The Animation Vol.3 ending theme
    12. "Neppū! Shippū! Cybaster"
    13. "Brother in Faith"
  5. Big Bang ~JAM Project Best Collection V~
    Released on July 4, 2007
    1. "Break Out"
      First opening theme for Super Robot Wars Original Generation: Divine Wars'
    2. "STORMBRINGER"
    3. "Name ~Kimi no Namae wa~"
    4. "Salvage"
      Galaxy Angel II ending theme song (feat. Rica Matsumoto & Masami Okui)
    5. "Divine love"
    6. "RISING FORCE"
    7. "Dead or Alive"
    8. "Emblem ~Meimo Naki Eiyūtachi e~"
    9. "DRAGON STORM 2007"
    10. "Fight to the end ~Seisen~"
    11. "IN FATE"
    12. "The everlasting"
    13. "Garimpeiro"
  6. Get over the Border ~JAM Project Best Collection VI~
    Released on August 6, 2008
    1. "Get over the Border"
    2. "No Border"
    3. "Rocks"
    4. "Legend of the Heroes"
    5. "Tsubasa"
    6. "SHURAKI"
      PV Song for the Shuraki Trinity figures
    7. "Milky Way"
    8. "BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE"
    9. "NEW GENERATION! 〜KOBE to the WORLD〜"
      DRAGON GATE Theme Song
    10. "Portal"
    11. "Hurricane LOVE" (ハリケーンLOVE Harikēn Rabu?)
    12. "HERO"
    13. "Sempre Sonhando ~Yume Oibito~" (Sempre Sonhando〜夢追人〜 Senpure Soniāndo ~Yume Oibito~?, "Always Dreaming ~Dream Chasers~")
  7. Seventh Explosion ~JAM Project Best Collection VII~
    Released on November 25, 2009
    1. "Seventh Explosion"
    2. "Crest of Z's"
    3. "Rescue Fire"
    4. "Shugojin-The Guardian"
    5. "Hello Darwin! ~Kōkishin on Demand~"
    6. "Cosmic Dance"
    7. "Godest!"
    8. "Hasta Mañana!!"
    9. "Battle No Limit!"
    10. "Space Roller Coaster GO GO!"
    11. "Bonds of Friendship"
    12. "Hallelujah!!"
    13. "Three souls"
    14. "Only One (For Chūgoku 2010 Nen Shanhai Banpaku ~ Japanese ver.)" (Only One （For中国2010年上海万博〜Japanese ver.）?, "Only One (For China 2010 Shanghai World Expo ~ Japanese ver.))
      Shanghai World Expo 2010 Official Theme song
  8. GOING ~JAM Project Best Collection VIII~
    Released on May 11, 2011
    1. "MAXON"
    2. "TRANSFORMERS EVO."
    3. "Ryūsei Lovers" (流星Lovers Ryūsei Rabāzu?, "Meteor Lovers")
      TV Anime Super Robot Wars Original Generation: The Inspector 2nd Opening Theme.
    4. "Vanguard"
    5. "Baku-chin Kan-ryo! Rescue Fire"
    6. "Dangai no Tsurugi" (弾劾の剣?, "Sword of Judgment")
      Pachislot game Gravion Opening Theme
    7. "Bōken Ō ~Across the legendary kingdom~"
    8. "Go! Stand up!"
    9. "Hikari e no Countdown" (ヒカリへのカウントダウン Hikari e no Kauntodaun?, "Countdown to the Light")
      Good Smile Company 10th Anniversary Theme Song.
    10. "Blue rise"
    11. "BIG BANG EXPLOSION～Song for Ragnarok Party～"
    12. "PRAISE BE TO DECEPTICON"
    13. "LONGING"
    14. "GOING"

Original albums

  1. JAM FIRST PROCESS
    Released on March 21, 2002
    1. "Ready Go!! ~Song for J's Tamashii~" (Ready Go!!～Song for J's 魂～?, "Ready Go!! ~Song for J's Spirit~")
    2. "The End of Day ~Megami Claudia no Sentaku~" (The End of Day～女神クラウディアの選択～ The End of Day ~Megami Kuraudia no Sentaku~?, "The End of Day ~Choice of Goddess Claudia~")
    3. "NOTE"
    4. "Girls be ambitious"
    5. "DESPERATE"
    6. "Meguriaeta Kiseki" (めぐり逢えた奇跡?, "A Miracle Happened")
    7. "Super Soul"
    8. "Precious"
    9. "Mizu ni Utsurutsuki ~my heart~" (水に映る月～my heart～?, "Moon Reflected in the Water ~my heart~")
    10. "Deep so deep"
  2. MAXIMIZER ~Decade of Evolution~
    Released on June 9, 2010
    JAM Project's second original album, as announced on their website. To be tied in with their 2010 world tour.
    1. "MAXIMIZER"
    2. "Elements"
    3. "SAMURAI SOULS"
    4. "ReBirth of Dream"
    5. "Hi no Tori" (火の鳥?, "Bird of Fire")
    6. "REAL BLACK HOLE ~Break though~"
    7. "Shining blaze"
    8. "Nightmare"
    9. "I LOVE YOU"
    10. "DESTINY~from USA~"
    11. "Always be with you"
    12. "KI·ZU·NA ~10th Anniv.ver.~"
  3. Victoria Cross
    Symphonic arrangement album
    Originally set to be released on March 23, 2011; postponed to April 6, 2011, due to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
    1. "VICTORY"
    2. "Elements"
    3. "Vanguard"
    4. "Garo ~SAVIOR IN THE DARK~"
    5. "Always be with you"
    6. "TRANSFORMERS EVO"
    7. "Rescue Fire"
    8. "Hagane no Messiah"
    9. "GONG"
    10. "SKILL"
    11. "HERO"

Other

World tours

JAM Project WORLD FLIGHT 2008

Following their 2008 tour of Japan titled JAM Project LIVE JAPAN FLIGHT 2008 No Border, JAM Project went on their first world tour. While some of the members have performed internationally, this was the first time JAM Project toured internationally as a group. Their stops included:

JAM Project HURRICANE TOUR 2009 Gate of the Future

In 2009, JAM Project went on their HURRICANE TOUR 2009 Gate of the Future, including the Melon AX in Seoul on May 16 and the NTU Sports Center in Taipei on May 30 and May 31.

JAM Project Live 2010 10th Anniversary Tour: MAXIMIZER ~Decade of Evolution~

To tie in with the album release in July, the group toured Japan from June to July of the same year. Ironically, this tour is not the tenth tour they have performed in, but the tenth was actually the Reunion concert they held two months after the Maximizer tour.

JAM Project Live 2011-2012: GO! GO! GOING!!

In 2011, JAM Project announced that they will embark on another world tour, with the confirmed locations being Hong Kong, South Korea and Singapore. It is also official that JAM Project will have two separate titles, one for their in-country tour, "GO! GO! GOING!! FUMETSU NO ZIPANG" and one for their world tour, "GO! GO! GOING!! ARIGATO TOMODACHI." Both tours will commence in late October 2011 and will finish in February 2012. One venue within Japan has been announced to be sold out. No other information has been released as of October 13, 2011.

References

  1. ^ "J!-ENT interviews JAM Project by J!-ENT's Dennis A. Amith". http://www.nt2099.com/J-ENT/INTERVIEWS/JAM-Project/jamproject.pdf. Retrieved 2009-08-26. 
  2. ^ http://www.animefestival.asia/i_love_JAMProject.html

External links