OSAKA MONAURAIL Line-up: Ryo Nakata vocals & keyboard, Kentaro Yamagata trumpet, Yohchi Masago trumpet, Shimon Mukai saxophone, Dan Hayami guitar, Yuichi Ikeda guitar, Dai Nakamura bass, Soki Kimura drums The Japanese are well known for their talent to imitate and to eventually outstrip their role models – be it in the economy or in art. The band Osaka Monaurail, which was founded more than 20 years ago, can be quite rightly called one of the world’s best revival bands for hammering funk grooves and fiery soul music. The band name is a reference to a song by James Brown, who the front man of Osaka Monaurail, Nakata Ryo, still considers to be the high priest of funk. A spectacular show is guaranteed.