Recommended Japanese soul bands. Popular bands in Japan.
Soul music, a genre born in the United States around 1950.
Developed on a foundation of gospel and blues, soul has grown into one of the major waves that can now be called a global standard.
Naturally, many soul music bands are active in Japan as well.
In this article, we’ll introduce a selection of Japanese soul bands.
It should give you a glimpse into a slice of the Japanese soul music scene.
Be sure to check it out to the end.
Playlist
| Recommended Japanese soul bands. Popular bands in Japan. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1east | Stay TuneSuchmos | play_arrow | Formed in 2013, a six-member band from Kanagawa... |
| 2east | Bombs are scary.Zainichi Fanku | play_arrow | A seven-member funk band formed in 2007. “Explos… |
| 3north_east | Tokyothe Lamb | play_arrow | The Lamb has recently been a hot topic among music fans... |
| 4south_east | ProfilePetorōruzu | play_arrow | A three-member band formed in 2005. The vocalist… |
| 5east | TokyoEmerald | play_arrow | Emeral is a Ja... that was formed in 2011. |
| 6east | Good day, goodbyeyonawo | play_arrow | yonawo is a new-generation neo-... formed in Fukuoka |
| 7east | 2:10 AM (the next day)Penthouse | play_arrow | Penthouse is a six-member group originating from the University of Tokyo… |
| 8east | The Theme of Sesame OilGomaabura | play_arrow | Gomaabura is a soul ba… based in Tokyo. |
| 9east | PoolMonenai | play_arrow | Monenai has been based in Tokyo since 2018… |
| 10east | kissORIGINAL LOVE | play_arrow | Formed in 1986. Made their major debut in 1991... |
| 11east | Moonlight BeerhallUdagawa Bekkan Bando | play_arrow | Formed in 2010, an eight-member band from Shibuya’s Udagawa… |
| 12east | Time is deadMOUNTAIN MOCHA KILIMANJARO | play_arrow | A six-member ins… formed in Saitama Prefecture in 2003 |
| 13east | Baby who doesn’t danceodoru! disuko muromachi | play_arrow | Dancing! Disco Muromachi was formed in June 2012… |
| 14east | Transistor radioRC sakuseshon | play_arrow | RC Succession is led by Kiyoshiro Imawano... |
| 15east | quick sandŌsaka=Monorēru | play_arrow | Formed in 1992, a nine-member funk band. “... |
| 16east | HeadlightMime | play_arrow | Mime, a Tokyo-based band, has relea… |
| 17east | Baka SurvivorUrufuruzu | play_arrow | Debuted in 1992, the one and only, Japan’s… |
| 18east | The Monster of Summertsuru | play_arrow | Formed in 2003, made their major debut in 2008… |
| 19east | FUNKY Oolong TeaSUPER BUTTER DOG | play_arrow | A five-member group formed in 1994 and disbanded in 2008… |
| 20east | my juiceZuttodzureteruzu | It’s a funk band formed in 2008. In high school... | |
| 21east | Dance at Nightfurenzu | play_arrow | Formed in 2015, a five-member co-ed group, a “Shinsen-kei” ban... |
| 22east | It’s Who We AreNulbarich | play_arrow | A five-member band formed in 2016, Nulbar… |
| 23east | Gather Round feat. Matzuda HiromuWONK | play_arrow | A four-piece experimental band formed in 2013… |
| 24east | Weekend is a soul bandOmoide Yarō A Chīmu | play_arrow | In 2009, I belonged to the jazz club at Tama Art University… |
| 25east | AliensKirinji | play_arrow | By the elder brother, Takaki Horigome, and the younger brother, Yasuyuki Horigome... |
| 26east | The eve of revolutionTempalay | play_arrow | We are a three-piece band based in Tokyo... |
| 27east | Summer Soulcero | play_arrow | Cero was formed in 2004 by Shohei Takagi and ... |
| 28east | Shooting StarPAELLAS | play_arrow | PAELLAS is a Tokyo-based 20... |
| 29east | Cruisin’ Cruisin’bonobos | play_arrow | A five-member band formed in 2001. Soul and… |
| 30east | mistakesOvall | play_arrow | Incorporating elements of soul, jazz, hip-hop, and more… |
| 31east | peace & loveLainy J Groove | play_arrow | From Kyoto: “Rough Urban Soul in Ja…” |
| 32east | Tiger & DragonCRAZY KEN BAND | ![]() | Formed in 1997. This is truly “Japanese-made soul…” |
| 33east | Last numberScoobie Do | play_arrow | Formed in 1995, a four-member funk band. 6... |
| 34east | New Morninghaikarasan | play_arrow | Formed in 2006. Influenced by music from the 1960s and ’70s... |
| 35east | To be happyFLYING KIDS | play_arrow | A seven-member group formed in 1988 and disbanded in 1998 f… |
| 36east | riskKroi | play_arrow | A talented band that fuses a wide range of genres |
| 37east | circusshowmore | play_arrow | showmore is a sophisticated jazz/R&B sound unit |
| 38east | About Apples, Forrest Gump — What It Means to Keep RunningLee & Small Mountains | play_arrow | It originally had a band setup, but now... |


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