Japan is saiko for jazz/funk collectives…

where many bands are reviving the sounds of late ’60s funk with renewed energy and imagination.

First and foremost is Osaka Monaurail, a nine piece funk collective carrying the James Brown-school-of-funk torch brighter than any homegrown bands at the moment. So good are they that the have become the back-up band for James Brown’s Soul-Sister No.1, Marva Whitney, playing on her 2007 comeback album, I Am What I Am.
Formed in 1992, Monaurail spent much of their time playing clubs and bars, changing line-ups, and becoming instrumental in bringing the funk culture to Japan. Going so far as lead singer and leader Nakata buying the rights to the movies Superfly and Coffy, and re-releasing them in theaters in 1999. It wasn’t until 2000 that they finally got to release their first album, What It Is…What It Was, which title I believe sums up their funk philosophy.

Check out their video for Quicksand:

Another jazz/funk collective from Japan is Soil & Pimp Sessions, a six-piece high energy band who sounds as if they are a full-piece jazz big band playing on stage with Parliament; looking as if they were once cowboy gangsters who didn’t know such types used guns instead of saxophones and guitars. They are known for their aggressive yet extremely entertaining performances with the belief that full audience participation is essential, to the point that the band leader does not play an instrument yet is nicknamed the “agitator” for his role in keeping the audience enthralled to the last note. A true pimp indeed.

Check out this nice documentary/live footage:

Last, but not least, is a band of nine we know very little about, Susie9. Primarily because none of us know how to read Japanese. But from what we heard this band sounds like a juiced up, more fun, and jazz based No Doubt. They are not necessarily re-imagining any 60s funk or jazz but they fit in nicely with these other bands in that they know how to have fun and are good musicians. They even have a keyboard player who wears nothing but a diaper on stage. If you can read Japanese (good practice Sean) you can listen and buy their albums here.

If you would like information on the Japanese print above (we don’t pick them randomly) click here.

This post is dedicated to Kuga (one funky kid) and Keiko (the saiko mom).

~ by digdeepmusic on July 8, 2007.