Zainichi Funk
In English the seven-piece band's name means 'Everyday Funk' or 'Resident Funk' or 'Japan Funk' depending on the kanji used to write it. They perform the kind of funk-soul music made popular by James Brown and the Blue Flames in the 1970s but using a blend of American English and Japanese language lyrics and call-outs. The band is best known for their exuberant, high-energy live sets where frontman Hamano and his band dress in highly stylised, multicoloured suits. The band's music combines elements of Enka, Japanese folk songs and TV themes from the USA and Japan. The Japanese influence on the base US funk-soul sound is best exhibited with lead singer Hamano's call and response banter with audiences in which he uses references to Pokémon and Ninjas among other Japanese cultural cues. The influences blend even more deeply as the band performs covers of James Brown classics such as 'Super Bad' heavily tinged with traditional Japanese kayokykou styling.
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Discography
7 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
