nEO sTANDARD sOUL

nEO sTANDARD sOUL

This is the English guide to nEO sTANDARD sOUL, a band based in Nagoya, Japan: upcoming live shows, their first album, videos and contact information.

(Japanese: 日本語の公式サイトはこちら → https://neostandardsoul.com/)

aBOUT

Founded in 2012, this versatile ensemble brings together renowned jazz drummer Daisuke Kurata, who has graced stages in Nagoya, New York, and Tokyo, and the soulful vocalist Machico. Rooted in the contemporary R&B and soul subgenre of the 1990s known as Neo Soul, they infuse their performances with the spontaneity of jazz, offering fresh interpretations of jazz, soul and R&B standards. Composed of leading Nagoya jazz musicians, each a bandleader in their own right, the unit seamlessly blends soul, R&B and hip-hop, showcasing their exceptional musicality and taste.

In June 2025, they released their highly anticipated first album, “nEO sTANDARD sOUL 1st”.

mEMBERS

  • Machico (Vocal)
  • Daisuke Kurata (Drums, Percussions)
  • Yasuhiro Sakake (Guitar)
  • Shota Watanabe (Piano, Keyboards)
  • Hiroyuki Demiya (Bass)

Associate members: TSUYOSHI (Vocal), Miki Hirose (Trumpet), Takuya B Arakawa (Congas, Djembe, Shekere), Kento Yamamoto (Trombone), Satomi Morinaga (Piano, Keyboards), Yuki Hirate (Piano, Trumpet)

nEXT lIVE

Tuesday, December 22, 2026
nEO sTANDARD sOUL Live at jazz inn LOVELY, Nagoya

Note: Personnel and details are subject to change. Information as of September 2026.

mUSIC

nEO sTANDARD sOUL 1st

nEO sTANDARD sOUL 1st (released June 27, 2025)
Catalogue No. KM001 / kuratar music / ¥2,500 (tax excl.)

The first CD release of songs loved at live performances by nEO sTANDARD sOUL, based in Nagoya, is now available. This album marks the first time their music has been released on audio. It includes eight tracks, featuring arrangements of classic songs reconstructed in the Neo Standard style, as well as original compositions.

nEO sTANDARD sOUL is a hybrid unit that combines R&B and Soul with the improvisational quality of Jazz to create an exquisite crossover. Since forming in 2012, “Neosta” has been steadily performing live in the Nagoya jazz scene and has finally released their long-awaited first album, “1st”. A group of talented jazz musicians have come together to perform original songs and selected hits featuring soulful singer Machico, which are vividly reborn through the bold arrangements of leader/drummer Daisuke Kurata and the sound-making of keyboardist Shota Watanabe.

Track list:

  1. SHARE THIS ONE (written by Machico, arranged by Daisuke Kurata)
  2. I WISH (written by Stevie Wonder, arranged by Daisuke Kurata)
  3. FEEL LIKE MAKIN’ LOVE (written by Eugene McDaniels, arranged by Daisuke Kurata)
  4. BUD, YOU’RE REMEMBERING APRIL (written by Daisuke Kurata)
  5. FEELING GOOD (written by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse, arranged by Daisuke Kurata)
  6. OVERJOYED (written by Stevie Wonder, arranged by Daisuke Kurata)
  7. BIG SAND (written by Daisuke Kurata)
  8. DON’T YOU WORRY ‘BOUT A THING (written by Stevie Wonder, arranged by Daisuke Kurata, horn arrangement by Miki Hirose)
  • Album details, streaming and purchase links (Japanese page): https://neostandardsoul.com/discography/1294/
  • Three tracks (“Share This One”, “I Wish”, “Feel Like Makin’ Love”) are also available on major streaming services.

vIDEOS

Watch live and album videos on the VIDEO page:
https://neostandardsoul.com/video/

Featured: “SHARE THIS ONE” from the debut album “nEO sTANDARD sOUL 1st”.

nEWS

For the latest announcements, see the NEWS page (Japanese):
https://neostandardsoul.com/news/

Major announcements will also be summarised in English on this page.

cONTACT

Contact form (Japanese): https://neostandardsoul.com/contact/
For album enquiries: kuratarmusic@icloud.com (as published on the album page)