The Band Toto Asia
Toto was expanding its production facilities overseas, and was doing business in France and Germany, Indonesia, Korea and Taiwan, Thailand and the People's Republic of China. Toto considered North America as a growth market for Washlet's bidets and toilets, in contrast to its "base" markets of Japan and China.
Dhaniram Toto was recording Toto words to ensure that the future generations could read the words. However, many words were being replaced by foreign words, such as dui, which is Bengali for verandah.
Origins
The early history of Toto that began in 1917, mirrored Japan's rapid economic expansion. In the early years of its existence, the company made products to meet the demand for new, modern urban housing. It used the first tunnel kiln in the nation to continuously produce ceramics. It also pioneered automation for production control, allowing greater efficiency and a more consistent production.
In the late 1980s the company began expanding outwards to take advantage of sales and new markets. It established the Cera Trading Company, importing and marketing other manufacturers' products to complement its own lines of sanitary earthenware and plumbing fittings. This strategy helped increase sales and increased the firm's market share in the world.
In the 1990s Toto began to concentrate on research and development for water-related appliances. It also upgraded its system of distribution to better serve customers and boost profits. The company used the same approach of just-in-time in its supply chain management as well as sales program. This resulted in a greater level of customer satisfaction.
Toto has been able to continue to innovate on the toilet technology. The latest toilet, for instance is equipped with an extremely powerful tornado flush that is more environmentally friendly than conventional toilets. Toto also makes use of recycled water in its production process and has a green purchasing policy. Toto also produces bathtubs, faucets, and hand dryers with greater energy efficiency than conventional models.
The first Toto museum opened in 2015. It has exhibitions on Toto's most famous products, their evolution, the group companies (all of which are ceramics), the history of plumbing, and products such as bath units. In a separate gallery you can see Toto products that are sold across the world. The museum even includes a bathroom with a WASHLET toilet and other toilet-related innovations.
Before the formation of Toto members of the group did session work for various musicians. Keyboardist David Paich, drummer Jeff Porcaro, and guitarists Mike Porcaro and Steve Lukather all played on the album Silk Degrees by Boz Scaggs. They also performed on albums by Steely Don, Seals and Crofts and Sonny and Cher.
Discography
With a name as evocative as Asia one would think that the group would be prog queens and kings but they're actually a fairly simple rock group. The band began as a four-piece and released two albums: 1979's self-titled debut and 1980's Armed to the Teeth. Although the band have a diverse musical background their biggest breakthrough was in 1982 with Toto IV.
The album was a massive blockbuster, but it was not without its difficulties. The record companies placed the band under pressure to release an album that was a success or else they would pull the album. Toto was able achieve this feat with the help of the smash hit "Africa."
Toto's musical mastery is the result of their previous experience. Before forming the group, the band members were session musicians for artists like Boz Scaggs. Steely Dan and Seals and Crofts. Their distinctive sound has become the standard for 1980s music, and has inspired a lot of contemporary artists.
The album opens with a strong and pounding sound with songs like Running Out of Time and Unknown Soldier showcasing the bands ability to write amazing AOR songs that slowly work their hooks into your mind. But the album also contains some slower, more jazzy tracks, like The Little Things and Chinatown. relevant web site closes with Great Expectations, a song that mixes folk with distorted AOR and should sound totally wrong, but is incredibly effective.
After Toto IV the band's fortunes began to wane. David Hungate left to concentrate on his solo career and the band was through various drummers. In 1984, Bobby Kimball was fired from the band in after he was charged with drug abuse. the band continued as a trio featuring Michael Porcaro and Steve Lukather.
Despite the turmoil, Toto forged ahead and released Isolation however, which was not as successful as IV. However, the group managed to release another chart-topping album in 1992 with Kingdom of Desire. This album marked the conclusion of the original Toto lineup and was also the first album to feature the new singer, Simon Phillips.
Tours
The band has entertained millions of fans across the world, performing sold out shows in Europe, North America and Asia and also Australia and New Zealand. The band has a vast repertoire, and its catalog has been listened to more than one billion times via streaming services all over the globe. The band's music has been influential to numerous generations of fans.
Steve Lukather has forged a rich, deep friendship with Joe Williams that is flourishing professionally around the globe. In 2018 the duo celebrated 40 Tours Around the Sun with a hugely successful tour across the globe. The album that bears the same name was ranked #5 on Billboard 200. The band's new tour includes their most popular songs and rarely played live deep cuts, as well as some of the songs from Lukather and Williams their individual catalogs.
TOTO has a Net Promoter Score of 20. This score is a measure of how likely it is that customers will recommend the brand. Promoters are those who rate the company highly and actively encourage others to make use of their products or services. Detractors are those who judge the company poorly, and may even actively hinder others from using their products or services.
Join Toto for an unforgettable cultural experience in Asia. This highlights tour of the region the French used to call Indochine offers luxurious accommodation, a day on a luxurious cruise ship in Halong Bay, and an exploration of the mystical temples of Angkor Wat. Also, you will spend a night in the charming city of Luang Prabang. This UNESCO World Heritage City is a feast for the senses. This is a once in a lifetime excursion you should not skip!
Line-up
Turn Back, the band's third studio album it was an attempt to return to the classic sextet format, and a more consistent, stronger album with a sharper edge. The edgier sound of Turn Back was a reflection of the growth of the band. Bobby Kimball's growing virtuosity was reflected by the vocal delivery of Joseph Williams, who had become more confident and mature. David Paich's keyboard playing was also sharper, more complex and less akin to previous efforts.
After touring to promote the album, the band recorded a live performance in Amsterdam that was released as a two-CD set titled Falling In Between Live on Eagle Records. A new studio album followed a few months later, and the group embarked on an extensive world tour to promote the album. In this time, keyboardist Greg Phillinganes replaced Paich and bassist David Hungate quit the group to spend time with his family.
In 1998, Paich & Lukather began looking through old tapes and demos to find songs that had never been recorded prior to. The album was released in 2001 as a double album titled Then & Now. It was the band's first album without the single track "A". The album also included a previously unreleased track titled "Kari-Anne".
By 2003, Toto had begun to decline in popularity. The group's fourth album, Old Is New, was a commercial failure and the vocalist Williams was suffering from a serious laryngitis infection which limited his singing capabilities. In addition, Hungate returned to Nashville and drummer Leland Sklar was replaced by Shem von Schroeck.
Downes, Wetton Palmer and Howe, the founding members of Asia were in England early in 2006 to discuss the possibility that the band could be reformed. This lineup, with the exception of Howe (who was working with Yes at the time), eventually became known as Toto XIV and toured extensively.
In 2010, the band reunited for another reunion tour with a slightly different line-up, including guitarists Mike Porcaro and Steve Lukather, drummer John Pierce, bassist Shannon Forrest, and multi-instrumentalists Warren Ham and Dominique Taplin. The group also featured an appearance by singer Michael McDonald and a backing vocalist named Mabvuto Carver.