Japanese Jazz Fusion Trio Nautilus Return with Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" Cover & New Keyboardist (Rucksack Records/The Find Mag)

Nautilus are a Funk/Jazz/Hip-Hop trio hailing from Tokyo, Japan. Their current line-up consists of drummer Toshiyuki "Toshi" Sasaki, bassist Shigeki Umezawa, and keyboardist Mariko Nakabayashi. Nakabayashi joined Nautilus earlier this year when long-time keyboardist Daisuke Takeuchi parted ways with the band. We've previously showcased Nautilus' expertly executed covers of the Beastie Boys' "Root Down," "Tears," a dual cover of both DJ Shadow's "Organ Donor" & Giorgio Moroder's "Tears," The Stylistics' "People Make The World Go Round," and De La Soul's "A Roller Skating Jam Named Saturdays" now re-titled "Rollerskating Jam Named "Sundays,'" which incorporates elements of The U.M.C.'s "One to Grow On." Primarily instrumental-based and released on limited-run 7-inches, when necessary, Nautilus have recruited additional musicians/vocalists to provide additional embellishments across their covers.


For example, "Root Down" features German vocalist Fleur Earth and the B-side of "Rollerskating Jam Named "Sundays'" features a remix from German producer glueset, as well as rhymes from Canadian emcee Abdominal and additional embellishments from Japanese songstress Kei Owada. Additionally, Nautilus have previously covered Suzanne Vega's "Tom's Diner," Gil Scott-Heron's "Lady Day & John Coltrane," Roy Ayers' "We Live In Brooklyn Baby," and Bob James' "Nautilus" from which they take their name. All of the aforementioned releases have either been issued by Japanese imprint Palette Sounds or German-based Agogo Records in conjunction with DJ Oonops' sub-label Oonops Drops. Now, Nautilus have joined forces with The Find Mag founder Danny Veekens' new label venture, Rucksack Records, for their latest cover. Nautilus' instrumental Jazz Fusion/Soul-Funk rendition of Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" will appear on their upcoming comp. Jazzvolution Chapter Three: The Final Round.



It appears as though "Ain't No Sunshine" was recorded by Nautilus prior to Daisuke Takeuchi exiting the group because, according to The Find Mag, it's performed by Toshiyuki Sasaki (drums, synth,) Shigeki Umezawa (bass,) and Takeuchi (electric piano) as recorded/mixed by Naoki Hayami. "Japanese trio Nautilus made this cover of Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" for Jazzvolution Chapter Three. Sadly, their tribute track is more fitting now after the Soul legend passed away in March, months after this cover was made," Danny Veekens explains within a recent feature on The Find Mag. In addition to Nautilus, Jazzvolution Chapter Three: The Final Round boasts contributions from The Expert, Marcus D, Dexter, A Cat Called FRITZ, Vice beats, Dr. Dundiff, BudaMunk, WYL, Kazumi Kaneda, Soul Supreme, The Natural Yogurt Band, and Kid Sundance. Nautilus' nearly 6-minute cover of Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" is now available on streaming platforms. Jazzvolution Chapter Three: The Final Round will be released in full Friday, June 5, 2020 on Rucksack Records/The Find Mag.