4D-JAM
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Headquarters | Japan |
| Products | Music recordings |
4D-Jam is a Japanese R&B and soul ensemble affiliated with the Giza Studio label. Their initial period of activity spanned from 1998 to 2002, with a revival occurring in 2014 under the independent label Con4Tunes.
Members
- Maho Furukawa (lead vocalist, lyricist)
- Kenji Shiojiri (leader, vocalist, composer, lyricist, arranger)
- Hiromu Nakao (arranger)
- E:mju (DJ)
- Mirai & Nozomi (dancers)
History
The group originated in 1996, founded by Kenji and Hiromu. In September 1998, the duo released their analog single Finger through the indie R&B label Styling Records. Shortly thereafter, Maho joined to serve as the primary vocalist.
By March 1999, operating as a trio, they issued their debut indie single Taiyou no Nai Asa Tsuki no Nai Yoru via Garage Indies Zapping Association. The following month marked their major label debut with the single Cocoro. Around this time, dancers Mirai and Nozomi departed from the group, while DJ E:mju became a member.
In June 1999, Kenji arranged Zard's single Sekai wa Kitto Mirai no Naka. That same month, 4D-Jam released city of tracks, which was selected as the ending theme for DirecTV’s program Matsuo Kiyoshi Teki Ongaku Seikatsu. Their major album City of Tracks was issued in August but did not enter the Oricon Weekly charts. October saw Kenji composing and arranging Zard’s single Itai Kurai Kimi ga Afureteiru yo, featuring Maho and Hiromu on chorus. In November, their fourth single Ma Life was used as the opening theme for Tokyo Broadcasting System’s show Kyaeen: Kanpei no Megami no Shinsou.
In January 2000, Maho provided chorus vocals on Rumania Montevideo’s album Girl, Girl, Boy, Girl, Boy. March marked their inaugural anime collaboration with the single Wondering Hands, featured in the TV series Monster Rancher. After releasing B Original, DJ E:mju exited the band. Their second studio album, Come Jam Space, released in July, reached number 89 on Oricon Weekly charts and remained there for two weeks with total sales of 5,490 copies. In August, Maho contributed chorus vocals to Rumania Montevideo’s single Start All Over Again.
During 2001, Maho lent her chorus talents to The Tambourines’ debut single Easy game. Their final single under Giza Studio, Big Good Lovin', was released in May and featured on the compilation album Giza Studio Masterpiece Blend 2001. In June, Kenji composed Miki Matsuhashi’s debut single Time Stand Still. Additionally, Maho supported Mai Kuraki’s singles Can't Forget Your Love (August) and Winter Bells (January 2002) by providing chorus vocals.
The group entered an unpublicized hiatus in October 2002; subsequently, Hiromu's status became unknown.
In 2013, 4D-Jam recommenced activities with Maho as lead vocalist and Kenji handling composition and arrangement duties under the indie label Con4Tunes. They released the digital single Music alongside their third studio album titled S・S・S〜Soul Searchin’ System in 2014.
Singles
| Release Date | Title | CD Code | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indie | 1999/3/10 | Taiyou no Nai Asa Tsuki no Nai Yoru | ICR-5 |
| 1st | 1999/4/21 | Cocoro | GZCA-1005 |
| 2nd | 1999/6/30 | City of Tracks | GZCA-1009 |
| 3rd | 1999/11/17 | Ma Life | GZCA-1015 |
| 4th | 2000/2/23 | Wonderin' Hands | GZCA-1020 |
| 5th | 2000/5/24 | B ORIGINAL | GZCA-1031 |
| 6th | 2001/5/23 | Big Good Lovin' | GZCA-1078 |
| 7th | 2014/3/7 | Music |
Studio albums
| Release Date | Album Title | Chart Ranking | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1999/8/4 | CITY OF TRACKS | |
| 2nd | 2000/7/5 | COME JAM SPACE | 86 |
| 3rd | 2014/5/28 | S.S.S ~ Soul Searchin' System |
Magazine appearances
The group was featured in prominent industry magazines such as Music Freak Magazine (issues 52, 53, 55, 57, 60, 63, 66–69, 73, 78) between 1999 and 2001, as well as J Groove Music (volume 9, July 2001), underscoring their visibility and promotional efforts within the market.