Ringo Shéna/Tokyo Incidents Index: Ringo Shéna CDs; Tokyo Jihen/Incidents CDs; Other Projects

--Ringo Shéna, jazz influenced, boundary-shifting pop star, who created Tokyo Incidents--

RINGO SHIINA/TOKYO INCIDENTS

Ringo Shéna--vocal
Ichiyou Izawa--keyboards
Ukigumo--guitar
Toshiki Hata--drums
Seiji Kameda--bass

Mikio Hirama--guitar (member of the original TOKYO JIHEN)
H. Zetto M.--keyboards (member of the original TOKYO JIHEN)

RINGO SHIINA

Ringo Shéna--vocal, drums, piano, harmonica & koto

Seiji Kameda--bass
Tomoyasu Kawamura--drums
Susumu Nishikawa--guitar
Reiji Suzuki--guitar

Muzai Moratorium (Innocence Moratorium) -- (41:02) -- (1999) -- EMI -- TOCT-24065

  1. Tadashii Machi (Decent Town)
  2. Kabuki-cho No Joou (Queen Of Kabuki-cho)
  3. Marunouchi Sadistic
  4. Koufukuron~Etsuraku Hen (The Conquest Of Happiness~Exotic Delights Version)
  5. Akane Sasu Kiji Terasaredo... (Though Sunset’s Flowering Colors Show Me The Road Home...)
  6. Sid To Hakuchuumu (Sid And A Daydream)
  7. Tsumiki Asobi (Playing With Blocks)
  8. Koko De Kiss Shite.(Kiss Me Here)
  9. Onaji Yoru (The Same Night)
  10. Keikoku (Warning)
  11. Morphine
Ringo Shéna’s lovely jazz-styled vocals are featured in pop and rock settings. Then things get strange, and surprises keep coming. An amazing number of musical styles intertwine, some gracefully, some disjointedly. Have no fear! This vocalist knows exactly where she is. She teases things along for a spell, and then soars up above it all. Once you grasp the idea that the next song’s not likely to sound anything like what has come before, you’re ready to begin to appreciate the magic. It’s an artistry Shéna and producer/bassist, Seiji Kameda, seem to create on the fly, and it’s beautiful!
 

Ringo Shéna--vocal & piano

Seiji Kameda--bass
Nobuhiko Nakayama--programming & synthesizer
Susumu Nishikawa--guitar
Masayuki Muraishi--drums
Shouso Strip (Winning Lawsuit Strip Show) -- (55:55) -- (2000) -- TOSHIBA-EMI Limited -- TOCT-24321
  1. Kyogenshou (Pathological Liar)
  2. Yokushitsu (Bathroom)
  3. Benkai Debussy (Debussy Excuse)
  4. Gibusu (Cast)
  5. Yami Ni Furu Ame (Rain Falls In Darkness)
  6. Identity
  7. Tsumi To Batsu (Crime And Punishment)
  8. Stoicism
  9. Tsuki Ni Makeinu (The Moon And A Loser)
  10. Sakana (Fish)
  11. Byoushou Public (Public Sickbed)
    1. Honnou (Instinct)
    2. Izonshou (Dependent Personality
This is an intriguing CD. The production and instrumentation are very modern and quite eclectic. It jumps from hard rock to techno experiments, but the most surprising thing is how often her singing reflects old jazz vocal stylings. She does it well, and the jazz is only occasionally reflected in the music, which it would be a stretch to call pop, but is way too slick to call alternative. The songs aren’t as wide-ranging as either the production or the vocals, but they’re all that keep this from flying off in a hundred different directions. Sweet and strange!
 

Disc One

Ringo Shéna--vocal & guitar

Jyunji Yayoshi--guitar
Masato Minekawa--synthesizer & keyboards
Seiji Kameda--bass
Masayuki Muraishi--drums

Disc Two

Ringo Shéna--vocal & guitar

Makoto Totani--guitar
Eikichi Iwai--bass & theremin
Nishikawa--drums

Disc Three

Ringo Shéna--vocal & bass

Junko Murata--vocal & bass
Yasunobu Torii--bass
Hisako Tabuchi--guitar
Yuka Yoshimura--drums

Ze-Chyou Syuu (Collection Of Climaxes) -- (34:11) -- (2000) -- Toshiba/EMI -- TODT-5400-5402

Disc One

  1. Yattsuke Shigoto (Slapped Together Job)
  2. Gamble
  3. Onaji Yoru (The Same Night)

Disc Two

  1. Mellow
  2. Fukou Jimen (Proud Of Misfortune)
  3. So Cold~Temporary

Disc Three

  1. Fukuran De Kichiyatsuta (Grown Into Maturity)
  2. Haihai (Yes Yes)
  3. Kougousei (Photosynthesis)
Three live selections each from three Ringo Shéna touring bands, and to make the point crystal clear, they’re presented on three separate 3" discs. The first has a good range. The second rocks the hardest. The third has more of a new wave slant. The recordings are reasonably good, and the performances show off the top-notch musicianship of all involved. Why three 3" discs? It’s certainly novel, but I won’t play them as often as they deserve. Perhaps it’s just one of those quirks that so annoys some people. It’s a nice collection, but you might be better off picking up a live DVD.
 

Disc One

Ringo Shéna--vocal

Seiji Kameda--bass
Jyunji Yayoshi--guitar
Masato Minagawa--piano, organ, synthesizer, harmonica & tambourine
Masayuki Muraishi--drums

Disc Two

Ringo Shéna--vocal

Toshiyuki Mori--programming, synthesizer, piano, organ & harmonica
Hitoshi Watanabe--bass
Hisashi Namasawa--drums & tambourine

Myoli Utite (A Singer’s Dream) -- (67:54) -- (2002) -- EMI -- TOCT-24780

Disc One

  1. Hai-Iro No Hitomi (Gray Eyes)
  2. More
  3. Chiisana Konomi (Small Nuts)
  4. I Wanna Be Loved By You
  5. Shiroi Kobato (A Small White Dove)
  6. Love Is Blind
  7. Momen No Handkerchief (Cotton Handkerchief)
  8. Yer Blues
  9. Nobara (A Wild Rose)

Myoli Utite (A Singer’s Dream) -- (67:54) -- (2002) -- EMI -- TOCT-24781

Disc Two

  1. Kimi O Aisu (I Love You)
  2. Jazz A Go Go
  3. Kareha (Autumn Leaves)
  4. I Won’t Last A Day Without You
  5. Kuroi Orufue (Black Orpheus)
  6. Mr. Wonderful
  7. Tamanegi No Happy Song (Happy Song For An Onion)
  8. Starting Over
  9. Komoriuta (Lullaby)
Recording these cover songs gave Ringo Shéna and her new hubby a break from the public, and time to have a child. The songs, many quite old, from both Japan and the western world, are sung in Japanese, English, and other languages. They’re recorded in a variety of styles, and sung well, but outside of the choice of material--impressively wide-ranging--there are few surprises. They are handled respectfully, but within a song there is no style-jumping, which for a Ringo Shéna release seems relatively lazy. As is often the case, you’ll most enjoy the songs you’re most familiar with!
 

Ringo Shéna--vocal, piano, pipe organ, guitar, harpsichord, harmonium, koto, shamisen, pianica, alto recorder, percussion, whistle, jaw harp & erhu (two-string Chinese violin)

Toshiyuki Mori--pipe organ, piano & cornet
Ujutsu Inoue--bass, guitar, hurdygurdy, mandolin, lute, sitar & mellotron

Kalk Samen Kuri No Hana (Chlorine, Semen, and Chestnut Flower) -- (44:44) -- (2003) -- Toshiba/EMI -- TOCT-24942

  1. Shuukyou (Religion)
  2. Doppelganger
  3. Meisai (Camouflage)
  4. Odaijini (Take Care Of Yourself)
  5. Yattsutsuke Shigoto (Slapped Together Job)
  6. Kuki (Stem)
  7. Torikoshi Gurou (Unnecessary Anxiety)
  8. Okonomi De (As You Like)
  9. Ishiki (Consciousness)
  10. Poltergeist
  11. Souretsu (Funeral Procession)
Ringo Shéna’s world is not like ours. It’s old, beautiful, and gentile, but her producer allows our world to enter in whenever it pleases. The strings caress, then shriek. Musical styles flit about nervously, even in the same song. Still, our hostess maintains an air of distracted, yet passionate, elegance, and if a train pulls in, well, it’s just one of those things that occurs. The overall jazziness clashes with the jolting modernism of the odd effects, but then her beautiful vocals reveal the perfection of everything. It’s a wonderful, mysterious, seductive world that you might never want to leave--a masterpiece!
 

Ringo Shéna--vocal, guitar, piano, harpsichord, percussion & whistle

Seiji Kameda--bass, bells & loops
Susumu Nishikawa--guitar
Nobuhiko Nakayama--synthesizer & programming
Masayuki Muraishi--drums
and many others

Watashi To Houden (Electric Discharge And I) -- (92:07) --2008 -- EMI --TOCT-26576-7

Disc One

  1. Suberidai (Slide)
  2. Unconditional Love
  3. Remote Controller
  4. Genun (Dizziness)
  5. Rinne Highlight (Transmigration Highlight)
  6. Aozora (Blue Sky)
  7. Toki Ga Bousou Suru (Time Drives Recklessly)
  8. · (Sigma)
  9. Tokyo No Onna (Tokyo Lady)
  10. 17
  11. Can’t Take My Eyes Off You

Disc Two

  1. Mellow
  2. Fukou Jiman (Unhappy Pride)
  3. So Cold~Temporary
  4. Aisaika No Choushoku (Breakfast For A Devoted Husband)
  5. Sid To Hakuchumu (Sid And Daydreams)
  6. Ishiki~Sengo Saidai Kyuu No Boufuuu Kennai Kashou (Consciously~A Song From One Of The Greatest Rainstorms Of The Post-war Era)
  7. Meisai~Sengo Saidai Kyuu No Boufuuu Kennai Kashou (Camouflage~A Song From One Of The Greatest Rainstorms Of The Post-war Era)
  8. La Salle De Bain (The Bathroom)
  9. Karisome Otome~Hitokuchizaka Version (Temporary Virgin~Hitokuchizaka Version)
  1. Sakuran~Onkio Version (Confusion~Onkio Version)
  2. Ichijiku No Hana (Fig Flower)
  3. Fukuran De Kichiyatsuta (Grown Into Maturity)
  4. Haihai (Yes Yes)
  5. Kougousei (Photosynthesis)
As I understand it, this is a collection of Ringo Shéna B-sides, EPs, alternative versions, and singles not found on full-length discs. In short, exactly what a Ringo Shéna fan who has neglected to buy all the singles and EPs would want! It’s a very generous collection, and there are many beautiful songs, odd productions (some quite noisy), and some wonderful surprises. I believe they are presented in chronological order, except for the bonus cuts (12-14) on disc two, which are from the third disc of the sr/zcs release. It’s a wonderfully varied collection, and I highly recommend it!
 

Ringo Shéna--vocal

Josei--piano
Yukio Nagoshi--guitar & electric sitar
Akita Goldman--stand-up bass
Midorin--drums
Koji Nishimura--trumpet
Hitoshi Yokoyama--trumpet
Yoichi Murata--trombone
Masakuni Takeno--alto, tenor & baritone saxophones
Hideyo Takakuwa--flute, ocarina & bass ocarina
Great Sakaeda--concert master & violin
Takayuki Oshikane--violin
Haruko Yano--violin
Nagisa Kiriyama--violin
Neko Saito--conductor
Sanmon Gossip (Superficial Gossip) -- (50:07) -- (2009) -- EMI -- TOCT-26840
  1. Ryuukou (In Vogue)
  2. Roudousha (Blue Collar Workers)
  3. Mittei Monogatari (Spy Story)
  4. Maru Chiten Kara (From This Point On)
  5. Karisome Otome~Death Jazz Version (Temporary Virgin)
  6. Tugou No Ii Karada (Convenient Body)
  7. Jun (In Season)
  8. Futari Bocchi Jikan (Time For Two Alone)
  9. Mayakashi Yasaotoko (Fake Gentleman)
  10. Togatta Teguchi (A Heartless Trick)
  11. Irokoizata (Love Scandal)
  1. Bonsai Hada (Ordinary Character)
  2. Yokyo (Entertainment)
  3. Marunouchi Sadistic~Expo Version
This is a nice break from TOKYO INCIDENTS’ recordings. I very much appreciate what Ringo Shéna has done with TOKYO INCIDENTS, but solo she seems more completely free. At the beginning we get a guest rapper, who returns later. There are new versions of two older Ringo Shéna classics. She reaches out a hand and a graceful wave brings in the sound of an era. The next song brings in a completely different sound. There’s jazz, imaginary Broadway, a duet with accordian, tap-dancing, rock, pop, more than I could list, or you would believe, and it’s all very beautiful and impeccably done.
 
TOKYO JIHEN
Ringo Shéna--vocal
Mikio Hirama--guitar
H. Zetto M.--keyboards
Toshiki Hata--drums
Seiji Kameda--bass

Kyouiku (Education) -- (42:10) -- (2004) --Toshiba/EMI -- TOCT-25452

  1. Ringo No Uta (The Apple’s Song)
  2. Gunjyou Biyori (Ideal Days For Ultramarine)
  3. Nyuusui Negai (The Suicide)
  4. Sounan (A Distress)
  5. Crawl
  6. Genjitsu Ni Oite (Back To Earth)
  7. Genjitsu O Warau (Laugh At Facts)
  8. Service
  9. Ekimae (A Station)
  10. Omatsuri Sawagi (The Carnival)
  11. Bokoku Joucho (Feelings For My Motherland)
  12. Yume No Ato (A Scar Of Dreams)
Having completed her masterpiece, Kalk Samen Kuri No Hana, Ringo Shéna has consented to submit to the tyranny of a group. The band is strong, and provides a consistent sound, along with requisite twists and turns. She’s still the singer, but she’s taken a step back. When this band roars, her voice seems thinner, grittier, perhaps under the spell of various studio effects. When she has more room the fullness of her vocals return. The band’s majestic sound will provide the next portion of the journey, and its richness on various levels will keep things interesting for a good long trip.
 
TOKYO INCIDENTS
Ringo Shéna--vocal
Ichiyou Izawa--keyboards
Ukigumo--guitar
Toshiki Hata--drums
Seiji Kameda--bass

Adult Pour Femme -- (44:21) -- (2006) -- Toshiba/EMI -- TOCT-25885

  1. Himitsu (Secret)
  2. Kenka Jyoutou (Excellent Fighter)
  3. Keshou Naoshi (Make-Up Maintenance)
  4. Superstar
  5. Shuraba~Adult version (Scene Of Carnage)
  6. Yukiguni (Snowy Province)
  7. Kabuki
  8. Blackout
  9. Tasogare Naki (Tears At Twilight)
  10. Toumei Ningen (Transparent Person)
  11. Tegami (Letter)
Wow! I thought Tokyo Incidents would mean more rock, but it’s still the rich, beautiful world of Ringo Shéna. Each song is a new luxurient decor. The playing is incredible. The arrangements are deluxe. Everything is taken to the nth degree or further. A rock guitar solo punctuates a jazz number, all with Ringo Shéna’s soothing vocals, and regularly songs change as they twist themselves into fitting interludes to the next song. Each song is a world unto itself, but together they make up a majestic, multifaceted whole that will delight as it pampers with a multitude of luxurious treats.
 
Goraku (Variety) -- (49:47) -- (2007) -- EMI Music -- TOCT-26350
  1. Lamp
  2. Mirror Ball
  3. Kingyo No Hako (A Goldfish Box)
  4. Shiseikatsu (My Private Life)
  5. OSCA
  6. Kuroneko Do (Black Cat Way)
  7. Fukushuu (Revenge)
  8. Bou Tomin (A Citizen Of Tokyo)
  9. SSAW
  10. Tsuki Kiwa Hime (Monthly Princess)
  11. Sake To Geko (Sake And Non-Drinker)
  1. Killer Tune
  2. Metro
Variety starts out a bit closer to traditional pop than TOKYO JIHEN fans may like, but by the third song they’re getting more lively, and each song after that takes us exploring in a new, deluxe, pop-style world. It’s a slow start, but it definitely delivers all that TOKYO JIHEN promises. Yes, there’s rich variety, and it’s multi-faceted. Diamonds are twinkling, Walls are revolving. Dimensions are shifting. It’s a magic show of delightful pop music, with just enough rock theatrics to keep it edgy. Ringo and her cohorts are keeping things beautifully unreal and challenging for the adventurous in sound.
 

Sports -- (47:18) -- (2010) -- Toshiba/EMI -- TOCT-2694
  1. Ikiru (Alive)
  2. Denpa-Tsushin (Radiowave Communications)
  3. Season Sayonara (Season Goodbye)
  4. Kachi-Sen (Triumphant Battle)
  5. Foul
  6. Uten-Kekkou (Rain Or Shine)
  7. Noudouteki Sanpunkan (Active Three Minutes)
  8. Zettai Zetsumei (Desperate Situation)
  9. Fair
  10. Noriki (Enthusiasm)
  11. Sweet Spot
  1. Senkou Shoujo (Dazzle Girl)
  2. Kiwamaru (Take It To The Max)
The CD opens a capella. That wasn’t strange enough, so they play with the tapes. That’s pretty much the surprise of this release, however, and it rocks after the intro. From there TOKYO INCIDENTS takes us through a variety of pop and jazz influenced songs, with occasional rock emphasis. This time, though, the songs are complete entities. The big changes come from one song to the next, and not within the songs themselves. Even so, TOKYO INCIDENTS remain a very skillful band. Ringo Shéna’s vocals are beautiful, and the songs are all very pleasant, excellently performed, and enjoyable.

--Other Projects--

RINGO SHIINA x NEKO SAITO

Ringo Shéna--vocal
Neko Saito--violin

Concertmaster: Grade Sakata
Violins: Koujiro Takizawa, Haruko Yano, Takayuki Oshikane, Hitoshi Konno, Midori Sakata, Senko Fujiie, Yukikane Murata, Tatsuo Ogura, Genichiro Nakajima, Chizuko Kdota, Kanako Sakata, Akane Irie, and Nagisa Kiriyama
Violas: Yuji Yamada, Katsuhiko Toyama, Mayu Takashima, and Toshiki Akiyama
Cellos: Ayano Kasahara, Tomio Yajima, Masaaki Shigematsu, Masashi Abe, and Erika Makioka
Basses: Teruhiko Saito, and Takashi Yanaka
Harp: Tomoyuki Asakawa
French Horns: Otohiko Fujita, and Tomoaki Hagiwara
Trumpets: Kouji Nishimura, and Hitoshi Yokoyama
Trombones: Youichi Murata, and Akira Okumura
Piano: Elton Nagata

Heisei Fuuzoku (Japanese Manners) -- (52:01) -- ( 2007) --Virgin Records -- TOCT-26211
  1. Gamble
  2. Kuki (Stem)
  3. Sakuran~Terra Version (Confusion~Earth Version)
  4. Hatsukoi Shoujyo (First Love Singer)
  5. Papaya Mango
  6. Ishiki (Consciousness)
  7. Yokushitsu (Bathroom)
  8. Meisei (Camouflage)
  9. Poltergeist
  10. Karisome Otome~Tameikesannoh Version (Temporary Virgin)
  11. Oiran (Courtesan)
  1. Yume No Ato (After A Dream)
  2. Kono Yo No Kagiri (The Limit Of This World)
Wow! This is lush! Most of the songs are fully orchestrated. The styles are wide-ranging, incorporating jazz, soundtracks, Broadway, burlesque, and more. Some are originals she’s done before, but not like this. Half the songs are sung in English, even when they weren’t originally. The musicanship is stunning. Neko Saito has dressed her up in favorite ‘30s & ‘40s sounds, and she’s having the time of her life, being the fabulous, and glamorous, old-time star she’s always dreamed of. Electronica sometimes invades the lush orchestrations, enriching the whole with a touch of modernism.