was released in the United States in 1981. 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 band's first overseas concert was in the United Kingdom in 1983. The band has toured Europe, South America, Australia, and Southeast Asia. In 1987, Casiopea signed to Polydor. 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 dissolved after releasing one album, and the two formed the duo Jimsaku in 1990. Casiopea 2nd (1990–2006) 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. Casiopea then signed to Pioneer. 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. In 1997, Jimbo returned as a part-time member, recording more albums and writing compositions. 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 2000, the band again signed to Pioneer, who would release their 20th Anniversary album (featuring Noro, Mukaiya, Jimbo and Naruse, with returning members consisting of Kumagai, Koike, and Sakurai). Four years later Pioneer changed its name to Geneon Entertainment. On August 1, 2006, Issei Noro, the group's leader, decided to freeze all activities of the band until further notice. In 2007, Noro and Jimbo formed the fusion band Inspirits. In January 2009, Casiopea participated in the album Tetsudou Seminar Ongakuhen, based on Minoru Mukaiya's Train Simulator video games. On May 27, 2009, a limited-edition box set, Legend of Casiopea, was released to commemorate the band's thirtieth anniversary. Casiopea 3rd (2012–2022) On April 20, 2012, the formation of Casiopea 3rd was announced with Kiyomi Otaka joining on keyboards, replacing Minoru Mukaiya, who led his own music production team Mukaiya Club.