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We have just opened the door and gazed into the wicked world of Japanese music. We have fairly touched Jrock and only given you an unfair little taste of Jpop. But this time will be a bit different. I will introduce you (who do not already know about this band) to a more stylish and funky band, a mix of jazz, rock and pop. I will now welcome you to Tokyo Jihen..!

Tokyo Jihen (or Tokyo Incidents) was formed by Shiina Ringo 椎名 林檎 in 2004, who is the vocalist in the band. Before the band Shiina had her solo career, and her first official single was released in 1998, where she was only 19. While working on her last solo album, Karuki Zamen Kuri no Hana, Shiina wanted to work together with a band. After her last solo tour “Sugoroku Ecstasy” in the Autumn of 2003, she found her members from her tour backing band, who was introduced as Tokyo Jihen. Those members became the core of Tokyo Jihen today.

After the release of Tokyo Jihen’s second album Adult 大人 in 2006, Shiina resumed her work as a solo artist as a Music Director for the movie Sakuran (2007). She released a single and an album, where she got help from violinist Saito Neko. Thereafter she continued her work with Tokyo Jihen and in 2007 they released their third album Variety 娯楽.

It can be a bit difficult to characterize the music genre of this band. But a lot of their songs are mainly inspired by jazz and rock, and some also pop. Tokyo Jihen is also playing some of Shiina Ringo’s singles from her solo career at concerts and lives, e.g. The Dynamite! Tour from 2005 which greatly can be recommended.

Himitsu 秘密, from their second album Adult 大人, featured above, gives a pretty good picture of what Tokyo Jihen’s style is usually like.

Honnou is from her solo album Shouso Strip 勝訴ストリップ. The style is a bit different from her work with Tokyo Jihen, but the style of most of her solo work is more alike this song. (Skip intro, the song begins at 0:53)

In the summer of 2008, Shiina released a Shiina Ringo’s B-side or best collection, Watashi to Houden 私と放電 (Me and Electric Discharge). With the release of this 2CD album, she released a promotion video to “Mellow” too.

Tokyo Jihen is indeed an experimental band with original sound.

Enjoy!