Rain Tree Crow was formed in England in 1989 by former members of the new‑wave band Japan: David Sylvian, Mick Karn, Steve Jansen, and Richard Barbieri. The quartet reunited after a long hiatus, adopting the name Rain Tree Crow to signal a departure from their earlier identity and to pursue a collective creative direction. Their sole studio effort, the self‑titled album Rain Tree Crow, was recorded between 1989 and 1990 at Miraval in France and Condulmer near Venice, and released by Virgin Records in April 1991. The album featured the single "Blackwater", which peaked at number 62 on the UK Singles Chart, while the album itself reached number 24 on the UK Albums Chart. The project emphasized group compositions and improvisational recording techniques, contrasting with Japan’s previous approach. Although the band did not release further material, the album was remastered and reissued on CD in 2003, adding the B‑side "I Drink To Forget". Rain Tree Crow’s brief collaboration remains a documented chapter in the careers of its members, illustrating a moment of artistic experimentation that bridged their past work with new creative ambitions.
