A quick word with Ryo Nakata, singer and band leader of Japanese funk band Osaka Monaurail who play the Queenstown Winter Festival this week. The eight-piece band, originally from Osaka but now based in Tokyo, have been pushing the funk message for 20 years and Nakata is Japan's answer to the late great James Brown.
So when did you first realise that you had "the funk"?
[Laugh] No, I don't have the funk ... but I try to be as authentic as possible. My first love in music was Yellow Magic Orchestra, a Japanese group active from 1978-1983 who introduced synthesizers to the world. I
was one of those so-called "techno kids" when I was 16. Then there was also a TV commercial by a Japanese whiskey company which featured Ray Charles. They recorded a new version of What'd I Say in a Go-Go arrangement. It made me go out to a record shop and grab a CD titled What'd I Say which happened to be a straight re-issue of the album released in 1959. This was one of the earliest things I remember about my love of soul music.
When you're up on stage do you feel like a "sex machine" or do you just "feel good"?
[Laughs] I don't feel like a sex machine. It isn't my thing. My brain is going so fast, checking out how the band is doing, planning what to do next: am I giving the guitar player a solo slot or am I going to the bridge soon? Or, what's the next song going to be? This way, I can keep myself busy and can keep myself on track with the band.
Is it an obsession, or is it more like being under a spell?
I think you can call it an obsession. But to me, it's an endless journey to find answers. There's a word in Japanese, "shu-gyo", which means a continual pursuit of knowledge or art. I think it's like a shu-gyo. I think we get better and better every day and we enjoy the process. But you will never get to a point where you say, 'Hey, I finally mastered it. This is the highest level."
What makes your funk music unique do you think?
A good question. Among all the other funk groups in the world the good thing about us is that we try to be as authentic as possible whereas a lot of bands usually don't learn the history. It's not easy to run a band under one concept. We all have to be familiar with what is the right thing to do. What kind of licks they used to play, and what kind of licks they never played in the 60s. You know what I mean? I have to teach the guys in the band how to teach themselves.
How has Osaka Monaurail changed the way funk is perceived in Japan in the last 20 years?
I hope we have. My thinking is funk music has to deal with the situations. It's music for empowerment. It's very serious music coming with many messages, however it's [also] dance music.
Do you ever feel like people see you as a gimmick band since you are a funk band from Japan?
No, I don't think so. But I am aware a Japanese funk band is something new. Which is good. People didn't want to buy Japanese automobiles 50 years ago!
Do you remember where you were and what you were doing when James Brown died? And how did you feel?
Yes I do remember. I was in the kitchen speaking with my sister. Looking at the computer, she said, 'James Brown died'. I didn't feel much then because I knew he wasn't too young. But, after several months, I started to think more and more about his death. He made me think of what it means to see a man who was born in extreme poverty go on to make a fortune, and then die. I don't think he was happy. I miss him just like any other fans do. But, I don't know what else to think ...
Why did you buy the copyrights to blaxploitation films Superfly and Coffy back in 2000?
Because I thought it would be fantastic if these movies were back in theatres again. So I just did it. It was a lot of hard work but a lot of fun too. I think I was trying to be like a businessman who risks his money in a game. I was 27, I called the telephone company operator, and said, 'Please let me know the number of MGM?' The lady said, 'Which city is it in?' I said, 'I don't know, but I think it's in California'. [laughs] And that was how I started out this little venture business.
Now that you are based in Tokyo did you think about changing your name to Tokyo Monaurail?
[Laughs] No. Osaka is where we're from, and names must say where you're from not where you are. We moved to Tokyo for business opportunities. I am proud that I named the band Osaka Monaurail because every time I think about all of my friends who are in Osaka, I say to myself, 'I didn't leave the city behind, I came to Tokyo to represent the city'. Well, I am saying, I am representing Osaka in a small circle of music. But, it still makes me proud.
*Osaka Monaurail play in Queenstown at the Revolver Bar, 54 Shotover St, Sunday, 11pm; and Air New Zealand Holidays Mardi Gras, Earnslaw Park, Tuesday, 5.30pm
- TimeOut
