Omega Tribe (music project)
| Company type | Music project |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Founder | Koichi Fujita |
| Defunct | 1995 |
Key people | Koichi Fujita (producer), Tetsuji Hayashi (composer), Tsunehiro Izumi (composer), Hiroshi Shinkawa (composer) |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Omega Tribe (オメガトライブ) was a Japanese music initiative spearheaded by producer Koichi Fujita from 1983 through 1995. The project involved composers Tetsuji Hayashi, Tsunehiro Izumi, and Hiroshi Shinkawa, and encompassed three distinct bands, each fronted by different lead singers: Kiyotaka Sugiyama (1983–1985), Carlos Toshiki (1986–1991), and Masahito Arai (1993–1994). Under Fujita's guidance, studio musicians performed the recordings while the production was managed internally by the team. Omega Tribe played a pivotal role in shaping the city pop genre, especially recognized for its signature summer and ocean-inspired sound.
Background
The name Omega Tribe was proposed by Hawaiian DJ Kamasami Kong, merging the Greek letter omega (Ω), symbolizing "last," with the phrase "the last race." Although it was not initially a top choice, producer Fujita preferred it due to its connection with saṃsāra. Band members described the name as representing "the last companion," highlighting a strong and lasting impression.
Production responsibilities were handled by Fujita alongside a collective of lyricists, composers, and arrangers. While lead vocalists performed on recordings, studio musicians provided instrumental backing. The inability of band members to fully participate in recording sessions contributed to the dissolution of S. Kiyotaka & Omega Tribe in 1985. During the era led by Carlos Toshiki starting in 1986, African-American artists such as drummer Marty Bracey, bassist Wornell Jones, and vocalists Maxayn Lewis and Joey McCoy—who officially joined in 1988—were enlisted as supporting musicians.
1983–1985: S. Kiyotaka & Omega Tribe
S. Kiyotaka & Omega Tribe (杉山清貴&オメガトライブ) was the project's inaugural band, active from 1983 until 1985. The lineup consisted of lead singer Kiyotaka Sugiyama, rhythm guitarist Shinji Takashima, lead guitarist Kenji Yoshida, keyboardist Toshitsugu Nishihara, bassist Takao Oshima, and drummer Keiichi Hiroishi. Initially established as in 1978, they caught producer Fujita’s attention following their 1980 appearance at the Yamaha Popular Song Contest.
Under the production of Fujita and composer Tetsuji Hayashi, they released five albums: Aqua City (1983), River's Island (1984), Never Ending Summer (1984), Another Summer (1985), and First Finale (1985). Their albums consistently placed within the top ten charts, with Another Summer and First Finale both achieving number one status in 1985. Despite their success, dissatisfaction with the production team's reliance on studio musicians prompted the group to disband at their commercial peak.
1986–1991: 1986 Omega Tribe and Carlos Toshiki & Omega Tribe
Carlos Toshiki & Omega Tribe (カルロス・トシキ&オメガトライブ) represented the project's second iteration from 1986 to 1991. Originally formed as , this lineup featured lead vocalist Carlos Toshiki, guitarist Teruka Kurokawa, along with returning members Takashima and Nishihara. After Kurokawa left in 1988, the band rebranded itself and incorporated vocalist Joey McCoy.
As 1986 Omega Tribe, they delivered two albums: Navigator (1986) and Crystal Night (1987). Subsequently, under Carlos Toshiki & Omega Tribe, four albums were released: Down Town Mystery (1988), Be Yourself (1989), Bad Girl (1989), and Natsuko (1990). Produced by Fujita with Tsunehiro Izumi and Hiroshi Hinkawa contributing, this ensemble had greater creative involvement than its predecessor but still utilized studio musicians extensively. Conflicts during the production of Natsuko coupled with internal tensions led to their disbandment after concluding a final tour in 1991.
1993–1994: Brand New Omega Tribe
Brand New Omega Tribe (ブランニュー・オメガトライブ) marked the final chapter of Fujita’s Omega Tribe project between 1993 and 1994. In contrast to earlier bands, this phase featured only lead vocalist Masahito Arai operating essentially as a solo act. Following Carlos Toshiki & Omega Tribe’s breakup, Arai assumed vocal duties while Fujita’s production team managed instrumentation alongside session musicians. The group released a single album titled Beach Hippies (1994), characterized by New Jack Swing influences and including a rendition of Alone Again, originally from the Omega Tribe album Aqua City. The project concluded shortly thereafter.
1992: Deconstructed OMEGA by Mints Entertainment
Deconstructed OMEGA by Mints Entertainment (D.O.M.E.) emerged briefly after Carlos Toshiki & Omega Tribe’s disbandment. This offshoot featured guitarist Shinji Takashima, keyboardist Toshitsugu Nishihara, vocalist Satoshi Mikami, drummer Michihisa Ikeda, and bassist Soichi Sakauchi. They produced one album entitled D.O.M.E. (1992) before dissolving due to insufficient commercial traction.
1994–1996: Weather Side
Weather Side (ウェザーサイド) was another derivative group comprising guitarist Shinji Takashima, keyboardist Toshitsugu Nishihara, and debuting vocalist Hideaki Takatori. Produced by Seiji Kameda, who also performed bass duties, they released three albums—Driving A Go Go (1994), Happy Go Lucky (1994), and 30 °C (1995)—prior to disbanding.
2015–present: B-EDGE
B-EDGE (ビーエッジ) is a Japanese-American jazz ensemble formed in 2015 by former backing musicians of Carlos Toshiki & Omega Tribe including drummer Marty Bracey, bassist Wornell Jones, and woodwind player Teruo Gotō; keyboardist Tomoharu Hani and guitarist Nishiyama "Hank" Fumio also joined. Their debut release was Easy Loving You, launched in 2015.
In September 2016, Carlos Toshiki announced his return to touring with B-EDGE after a hiatus of 21 years; however, the tour was postponed until 2017 to commemorate the 31st anniversary of his debut with 1986 Omega Tribe. In 2018, performing as Carlos Toshiki & B-EDGE, they issued Nova Nostalgia, which attained number 92 on the Billboard Japan Top Albums chart. After Toshiki left in 2019, the group reverted to simply B-EDGE; nonetheless, he continues touring alongside them for his solo projects.
Band members
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Template:CSS image crop | Kiyotaka Sugiyama (杉山 清貴) |
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Participated on all S. Kiyotaka & Omega Tribe releases. As an external collaborator Composed "Last Train" on Be Yourself (1989). | |
| Template:CSS image crop | Shinji Takashima (高島 信二) |
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Featured on all releases by S. Kiyotaka & Omega Tribe, 1986 Omega Tribe, and Carlos Toshiki & Omega Tribe. |
| Template:CSS image crop | Kenji Yoshida (吉田 健二) |
|
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Contributed to all S. Kiyotaka & Omega Tribe releases up until Never Ending Summer (1984); departed April 1985. |
| Template:CSS image crop | Toshitsugu Nishihara (西原 俊次) |
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Appeared on all albums of S. Kiyotaka & Omega Tribe as well as both iterations of Omega Tribe featuring Carlos Toshiki. |
| Template:CSS image crop | Keiichi Hiroishi (廣石 恵一) |
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Participated on all S. Kiyotaka & Omega Tribe recordings. | |
| Template:CSS image crop | Takao Oshima (大島 孝夫) |
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Featured on every S. Kiyotaka & Omega Tribe release. |
|-
Template:CSS image crop
|Carlos Toshiki
(カルロス・トシキ)
||
- 1986–1991
||lead vocals || Contributed to all recordings under both "86 Omega Tribe" and "Carlos Toshiki & Omega Tribe." |}
Timeline
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id:lvocals value:red legend:Lead_vocals id:bvocals value:pink legend:Backing_vocals id:guitar value:green legend:Guitar id:bass value:blue legend:Bass id:keys value:purple legend:Keyboards id:drums value:orange legend:Drums id:perc value:claret legend:Percussion id:album value:black legend:Studio_album id:bs value:gray(0.1) id:hh value:gray(0.3)
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color:album layer:back at:21/09/1983 at:21/03/1984 at:21/12/1984 at:01/07/1985 at:21/12/1985
at:23/07/1986 at:04/02/1987 at:06/04/1988 at:08/02/1989 at:21/09/1989 at:25/07/1990
at:24/01/1994
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bar:band bar:Kiyotaka text:"Kiyotaka Sugiyama" bar:Carlos text:"Carlos Toshiki" bar:Masahito text:"Masahito Arai" bar:Joey text:"Joey McCoy" bar:Shinji text:"Shinji Takashima" bar:Kenji text:"Kenji Yoshida" bar:Mitsuya text:"Mitsuya Kurokawa" bar:Takao text:"Takao Oshima" bar:Toshitsugu text:"Toshitsugu Nishihara" bar:Keiichi text:"Keiichi Hiroishi"
PlotData =
align:center textcolor:white fontsize:8 width:10 shift:(0,-5) bar:band from:start till:24/12/1985 color:black text:"S. Kiyotaka & Omega Tribe" bar:band from:26/02/1986 till:06/04/1988 color:hh text:"1986 Omega Tribe" bar:band from:06/04/1988 till:16/03/1991 color:bs text:"Carlos Toshiki & Omega Tribe" bar:band from:25/08/1993 till:end color:hh text:"BNOT"
width:13 bar:Kiyotaka from:start till:24/12/1985 color:lvocals bar:Carlos from:26/02/1986 till:16/03/1991 color:red bar:Mitsuya from:start till:end color:guitar
bar:J oe y from :10 /11 /1 988 till :16 /03 /1 991 color:pink
width :7
</timeline>
Discography
Template:Col-begin Template:Col-3 S. Kiyotaka & Omega Tribe
- Aqua City (1983)
- River's Island (1984)
- Never Ending Summer (1984)
- Another Summer (1985)
- First Finale (1985)
Template:Col-3 1986 Omega Tribe and Carlos Toshiki & Omega Tribe
- Navigator (1986)
- Crystal Night (1987)
- Down Town Mystery (1988)
- Be Yourself (1989)
- Bad Girl (1989)
- Natsuko (1990)
Template:Col-3 Brand New Omega Tribe
- Beach Hippies (1994)
Tokyo Music Festival
| Year | Work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | "Summer Suspicion" | Domestic Tournament Golden Apple Award | Won |
| World Tournament TBS Award | Won |
Recording Industry Association of Japan
| Year | Work | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Navigator | Pops (Group) Division | — |