Asa-Chang & Junray

Asa-Chang & Junray is a Japanese group founded by percussionist ASA-CHANG, who was previously the founder of Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra. After leaving that group in 1993, he formed ASA-CHANG & Junray in 1998 with programmer and guitarist Hidehiko Urayama, later joined by tabla player U-zhaan in 2000. Their live performances use a portable sound system called Jun-Ray Tronics — also a pun on pilgrimage in Japanese — which produces their characteristic dense, ritualistic sound. Their 2001 EP Hana is regarded as a landmark of Japanese avant-pop and was reissued in a 20th anniversary edition in 2022.