10 Musical Artists Who Are Keeping Funk Alive

The Osaka-founded big band has never made any bones about borrowing from The Godfather Of Soul. They do it so well, though, that listeners quickly accept them as praiseworthy inheritors of the style. Through more than 20-years of lineup changes, frontman Nakata Ryo has sharpened his vocals to suit the mood and keep the wheels turning on the "funkiest orchestra from Japan."

From Osaka Monaurail's perspective, funk represents many permutations of a single premise - hold the groove. Their variety happens to be the gritty sound of the 60s and 70s, captured by jams from their 2000 album, What It Is - What It Was, all the way up to their most recent 2014 release, Riptide.

Generous helpings of syncopation, "taking it to the bridge," and on-the-nose trombone solos mark their work, which has a habit of infecting listeners with an uncontrollable urge to roll their shoulders and sway to the beat.

Though currently on tour, the band has two new albums planned. One is a collaboration with Martha High, a former backup vocalist for both James Brown and Maceo Parker. The album will feature covers of the classics, updated with Osaka Monaurail's contemporary flair. The second album, a 25th anniversary effort, is due October 2017.