Scoreload

The Seatbelts is a Japanese jazz fusion band and studio collective formed primarily to create the iconic soundtrack for the landmark anime series Cowboy Bebop. Conceived and led by composer and keyboardist Yoko Kanno, The Seatbelts were assembled in 1997 specifically to record the diverse soundtrack for Cowboy Bebop. Functioning more as a fluid collective than a fixed band, its membership varied significantly depending on the musical requirements of each track, featuring top-tier Japanese and international session musicians. Their music blended jazz (swing, bebop, big band), blues, rock, funk, electronic, and even opera and country, perfectly capturing the show's eclectic, genre-defying spirit. The soundtrack became legendary, propelling the band to cult status worldwide. Though initially formed for the anime, The Seatbelts have periodically reunited for concerts and new recordings associated with Cowboy Bebop projects.

• The band's name, 'The Seatbelts', was reportedly inspired by a spontaneous comment made by series director Shinichiro Watanabe during a recording session, urging everyone to 'fasten your seat belts!' due to the music's intense energy.
• Yoko Kanno composed and arranged nearly all the music under the collective name, often using the pseudonym 'Yoko Kanno & The Seatbelts'. She curated the vast pool of musicians needed for the project's wide stylistic range.
• Saxophonist Masato Honda was a key recurring member, contributing iconic solos, particularly on the famous track 'Tank!'.
• The band gained massive international recognition purely through the success of the Cowboy Bebop soundtrack; they were virtually unknown before the anime aired.
• Despite being formed for a specific project, The Seatbelts achieved such acclaim that they have performed live concerts globally, decades after the original anime, often tied to Cowboy Bebop anniversaries or the live-action adaptation.