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). 

TWOGOOD is a multi-genre electronic duo bringing a fresh array of music designed to make you move. With limitless style, each track is a musical surprise filled with euphoric synth work and seductive basslines. A new sound to love, a new reason to dance.

I make Funky Music 🙌 

With releases on Breakbeat Paradise Recordings, Cuttin It Fine, Gritz & Gravy, Big Fat Mama Beats, That's Not An Edit, Fort Knox Recordings, Applique Music, Young NRG Productions, 9th Avenue, Growroom Productions, Pig Ball Records, Katakana Edits, Spa In Disco and Rare Wiri Records.

I'm very rarely here these days, if you want to contact me, there's an email address below x


"One of my favourite DJ and producers... just... so cool" - Craig Charles, BBC Radio 6 Music

DMC UK Finalist 2023 / Redbull 3style UK Finalist 2019

hello@xrayted.co.uk

X-Ray Ted is a DJ & producer from Bristol, UK, specialising in a unique blend of Party Breaks, Hip Hop, Funk, Disco & Rock. A bona-fide, tried and tested party rocker with the skills to match his selections. 

hello@xrayted.co.uk

London based Dj back in the capital having spent 15 years dropping many a dodgy jam over in Barcelona.
Head honcho of the super funky 'FVUK' Record label and Youtube Channel keeping the funky vibes flowing in all genres. FVUK Soundcloud - https://soundcloud.com/fvuk

Bookings/Info - duncan_xs@yahoo.com

Disco , Boogie & Funk. That's my world.   
Since the late 80s I'm spinning these type of styles and still in love with. During the last decades I was not only collecting masses of records in form of vinyl, I also toured the world just under another artist-name. A name you might know. Anyway - now it's only about Motte! 
Wanna reach out to me? mottedj@gmail.com

Currently in UK
Producer
DJ

email: charliebeale1305@gmail.com

GIRAFFE Records
(since. 1983)

The Pioneering UNDERGROUND POWERHOUSE PRODUCING ONLY THE BEST BRANDS of Deep House MUSIC keeping the tradition alive:
Deep House & Deep Disco / Nu-Jazz & Jazzdance / Nu-Disco & Disco House / Detroit Techno & Leftfield

THE HOME OF: Pied Piper & Pimpin Willie / Deep State / Imago / Freeek! / LeSpank / DeFunk'D

House/ Disco 

Weather your listening to one of his mixes taking in one of his live performances or downloading his latest production Chances are you have entered the world that is Somerville.

Releases on Spa in Disco, Moiss Music, Plastik People Digital and Yes Yes Records.

www.darrensomervillemusic.com

Mick's one talented man.. Known around the world for big knives, sinking a 6 pack of Fosters finest, throwing a shrimp on the barby and wrestling crocs in the outback. Back home he's been busy compiling some of Australia's tastiest compilations that he's proudly called 'That's Not An Edit'. His new Dj mix series 'That's Not A Mix' features some of the compilations most well known producers. You bloody beauty. Enjoy legends

Rowan.Bentley is following