Osaka Monaurail

Formed in 1992 in Osaka, Japan, and named after the J.B.'s' classic 1975 funk track "(It's Not the Express) It's the J.B.'s Monaurail," Osaka Monaurail were originally a 20-piece big-band funk outfit, although things streamlined some when the band began working the local club and bar circuit a year later in 1993, eventually settling into the current lineup, which includes Ikeda Yuichi and Hayami Dan on guitars, Kaketa Yasushi and Sakakibarta Seiji on trumpet, Hiraishi Katsutoshi on trombone, Okuse Kensuke on drums, Nakata Ryo on organ and percussion, Mukai Shimon on flute and baritone and tenor sax, and Ouchi Tsuyoshi on bass. The group released a debut album, What It Is...What It Was on Shout! in 2000, following it with Rumble'n Struggle in 2001. In 2003 the band moved to Tokyo, and after a personnel reshuffle, issued Thankful (For What You've Done) in 2004, the live Eyewitness to the...Live in Heavy Funk System in 2005, and Reality for the People in 2007.