After two decades, the wheels are very much still turning for Osaka Monaurail, Japan's premiere funk orchestra, which has grown from a university combo to one of the world’s leading groups in the genre. Nine musicians on stage in sharp uniforms inspired by 60s fashion; trumpets are spinning in the air; leader Nakata dancing “Mashed Potato”; from James Brown funky dancers to jumpin’ be-bop instrumentals.

In 2012, Osaka Monaurail celebrated their 20th anniversary by touring many cities in Japan, Europe, Canada and Australia, appearing at top venues, nightclubs and festivals including the Montreal International Jazz Festival in July. In 2013, the group is performing in seven European countries, Australia and of course Japan. 

Formed in 1992, all the member were students at Osaka University and were members of the same jazz society where they had fun playing and learning jazz, especially the music of Count Basie. "Our team then was known as one of the best university/college bands when it comes to playing Count Basie tunes. I was playing the forth trumpet part in the big band. However, after I had dropped out as trumpet player - I couldn't hit higher notes, I decided to do what I'd wanted to do ever since I was sixteen, which was to have my own funk band." The group was named after the 1975 funk classic, "It's The J.B.’s Monaurail" by the J.B.'s (misspelling intentional.) It originally held more than twenty people including many horn players, two guitarists and a percussion player, but soon after, the band was cut down to a 13 piece group. After a couple of university gigs, they had played in local bars and nightclubs in Osaka around 1994-1995.
Signed to RD Records in 1999, OM released its first album entitled “What it is – What it was” in 2000, followed by nine albums: three more albums on RD Records; four albums on P-Vine Records (signed 2006-2009); and the latest "State Of The World" on King Records (2011–present). In Europe, the last three albums are available on Unique Records (Dusseldorf, Germany).

Since the summer of 2006 Osaka Monaurail had toured with a soul/funk legend, Marva Whitney, known as one of the James Brown's original Funky Divas. Her hits include many Funk classics such as “It's My Thing,” “Unwind Yourself” and “Sunny” (duet with Mr. JB). The partnership became arguably one of the most exciting collaborations in funk in modern era and left two albums “I Am What I Am” and "Live In Japan," three European tours and two Japanese tours. (Sadly, Marva Whitney passed on in December, 2012.)

In November 2012, Osaka Monaurail played a show with Fred Wesley, the world's funkiest trombonist, whose carrier expand from James Brown and Parliament-Funkadelic to the Count Basie Orchestra. It was one-night special show - OM played as a backing band to the man, and performed more than a dozen of funky classics by Mr. 'Friendly Fred' Wesley.

Nakata runs his Shout! Productions label and continues to contribute to soul/funk in Japan. His company has been responsible for: reissuing a string of Soul/Funk albums and movies such as "Superfly" (1972), "Coffy" (1973) and a few more movies; subtitling “Sweet Sweetback’s Badasssss Song” (1971), “Badasssss” (2004) and “Soul Power” (2009); most recently releasing “Edification of Weldon Irvine” (1976) on DVD.

The group has experienced many member changes. However the most of the current line-up have been in the group for more than ten years. Osaka Monaurail as of 2013 are Ryo Nakata (vocals and keyboards); Kentaro Yamagata; Shimon Mukai (tenor saxophone); Dan Hayami & Yuichi Ikeda (guitars); Dai Nakamura (bass); Soki Kimura (drums). 

.. tons of Rockin' FUNKAFIED Mixtapes @ https://www.mixcloud.com/funkafied/

FUNKAFIED is.. Dancefloor Jazz, Disco, Breaks, Electro and a whole lotta FUNK.  Funkafied's at it since the 80s mashing and mixing lost treasures to fresh releases by the finest artists around. Let's get Funkafied! 
getfunkafied@gmail.com

FUNKAFIED members : 
**Rafadelic : 
https://rafadelic.wordpress.com
**Ronny Hammond :
https://soundcloud.com/ronny-hammond

‘Dirk is a purveyor of deep and funky house grooves that always make for a feel-good party atmosphere.’


Dirks love of music saw him grow up to an eclectic mix of sixties, soul, disco, drum & bass, house and techno. With such a mixed spectrum of musical influence, this translates today into a sound that can’t be categorised by one specific genre, but incorporates house, deep house and nu disco.

Dirk purchased his 1210s in 1991 and hasn’t stopped playing music since. With experience playing on pirate radio, digital radio stations,  various clubs and bars, he loves to have the opportunity to express himself musically to anyone who likes to party. Recently Dirk has supported the likes of Late Nite Tuff Guy and Purple Disco Machine.

Dirk has been lucky enough to travel the world, experiencing weird, wonderful and hedonistic parties in a variety of locations which have also provided an influence on what he feels a good party should feel like.  “For me, it’s all about playing funky music with a bit of an edge. The perfect party is when you can forget time and forget yourself. DJs need to get back to showing people a great time and stop taking themselves too seriously”

In 2016, Dirk launched his Queens brand in Edinburgh, bringing with it ‘eccentricity, glamour and a crazy carefree vibe’. With stellar line ups that include the likes of Dimitri from Paris, Pete Herbert, Late Nite Tuff Guy, Purple Disco Machine and Joey Negro, Queens provides something that hasn’t been seen in Edinburgh for quite a while. Keep your eyes open for future Queens parties; miss them at your peril!

Dirk left his family 7 years ago after a legal dispute. His hobbies include drinking, playing the guitar with his teeth and plucking his chest hair.

DUtcH KinG oF aLL eCLecTic FuNkiNesS
Spinnin' & Rockin' parties since prehistoric times..
A Funky Rebellion Fighting the Dark Side of Disco..
".. and just love my $h!t FuNKy & OLd-$KooL" !!!
Already in the 90s called "The Fatboy Slim Of The Lowlands''

Also member of 
https://soundcloud.com/thebigbirdcage 
and 
https://soundcloud.com/funkafied

For CONTACT.. just click the envelope above.. 
and type your thing.. 

More MIXTAPES @ https://mixcloud.com/djronnyhammond

more HAMMOND bizznizz.. also CHECK... ⬇︎⇩⬇︎⇩⬇︎⇩⬇︎⇩⬇︎⇩

Maille n’est pas seulement sous contrat du prestigieux label Wagram. Il est un fervent collectionneur de pépites vinyles qui parcourt les shops du monde entier depuis plus de 20 ans, à la recherche du disque manquant à son incroyable collection. Depuis ses débuts, Maille a réussi à conserver la fraîcheur et l’avidité de découverte de musique, sans limite de style : house, hip-hop, soul, disco, boogie funk, afrobeat… A 12 ans, il commence par la batterie et les percussions, en y associant le mix afin de cultiver sa différence  Lors de l'exécution en direct , on peut vraiment sentir le plein engagement et la passion du garçon. Énergique, créatif et toujours divertissant, il présente sa propre interprétation de la musique qui amène les papas et les mamans à ce dandiner et applaudir. Maille voit les platines et ses percussions comme un ensemble d'instrument,  qu'il utilise pour créer de nouveaux mondes sonores, ce qui le sépare du caractère de reproduction standard d'un DJ. Cette soif de renouveau perpétuel font de ses dj sets des expériences hors-norme et exclusives.
Dj Maille, sound creator, mad about tones, electronic mixes and music in general. He has gathered himself a whole universe marked with intense acoustic sensations. Dj Maille producer, creates in his studio and handles tracks making remixes. The greats who inspired him? Curtis Mayfield, Kenny Dope, Axwell, Kurtis Blow, Steve Wonder, Redman, M.O.P., Armand Van Helden, Quincy Jones... Within his universe, he owns his talents to his passion and commitment. Music has followed him for a long time. Aged 12, he started playing the drums, continued on to the art of mixing and to cultivate his difference, got involved in the scratch. A discipline dear to him, therefore his weapon of choice for the clubs. During years of dedicated scratching, a sound engineering degree puts a firm rhythm into his progression and evolution. His remarkable musical culture and motley spirit in general brought him to a powerful and addictive sound melting. In 2002, he created the collective "Just Beginning" in collaboration with artists such as musicians and Dj's alike for a live electro-multidecks concept...So far so good!!! He starts touring France and abroad, playing for the cream of the clubs like the V.I.P. 77 in Moskow Russia, the "Brown Sugar" and the "Downtown" nights in London UK, the "Zooma Club" in Casablanca Morocco, "Planet Hollywood" in Paris, "Le Prestige" in Geneva Switzerland, the "D-Club" in Lausanne Switzerland, "Les Caves De Courchevel" France in the legendary ski resort just to name a few... He participates in great cultural events like "Le Siel", "Le Fize", "Les Etoiles Du Sport", "Urban Plagne"... In 2007, he formed "DutySound" with Phil Torres and Ophlie D producing original and live Dj sets, dotted with effective sounds, accompanied by a colourful and explosive Vjaytte. Dj Maille, a talent you've absolutely got to hear!!!

Currently in UK
Producer
DJ

email: charliebeale1305@gmail.com

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 
"What do you get when 2 friends reunite that have the Funk, the whole Funk and nothing but the FUNK?" The Big Bird Cage.. 2 reunited friends https://soundcloud.com/bruzedangelomusic & https://soundcloud.com/ronny-hammond.  Together they are The Big Bird Cage with productions inspired by music, movies and art from the 70’s, 80’s & 90's... and the FUTURE !!!

Releases on:
- Mood Funk Records (IT)
- Mjuzieek Education Digital (AT)
- i! Records (US)
- Grin Music (US)
- Instant Groove Records (NL)
- Doin' Work Records (US)
- Hustler Trax (MX)
- Certified Jackin' (UK)

More releases coming soon...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 
For bookings and remix enquiries please contact:
thebigbirdcage@gmail.com

Dan-cho a.k.a. Yoshio Sato 2014.8.31.OPEN JAPANESE DRUM'N'BASS LABEL 
「VANISHING POINT」OWNER 
http://t.co/pnhmPMNBKL  
DJ,DTM等の連絡は mail@yoshiosato.info まで

Dan-cho a.k.a Yoshio Sato is following