Shinichi Osawa, operating under the name Mondo Grosso, has established himself as one of Japan's most innovative and stylish creators of acid jazz, R&B, and house music. A bassist, DJ, remixer, and producer, Osawa began recording music in 1989, releasing his first album, Mondo Grosso, in 1993 on the For Life imprint. The music was fresh, drawing from various sources including R&B, jazz, samba, and bossa, and helping to pioneer a new style of Japanese club music that would eventually...

Shinichi Osawa, operating under the name Mondo Grosso, has established himself as one of Japan's most innovative and stylish creators of acid jazz, R&B, and house music. A bassist, DJ, remixer, and producer, Osawa began recording music in 1989, releasing his first album, Mondo Grosso, in 1993 on the For Life imprint. The music was fresh, drawing from various sources including R&B, jazz, samba, and bossa, and helping to pioneer a new style of Japanese club music that would eventually become a standard. The release was well-received overseas as well, leading to the release of several albums and 12 inch EPs in the United States and Europe. Mondo Grosso's 1995 long player, Born Free, featured Jhelisa and acid jazz stalwart Monday Michiru, and was the last with full-time band members. With only Osawa remaining, Mondo Grosso morphed into a collaborative unit, featuring Osawa and various vocalists and musicians creating the songs for his third album entitled Closer, which was released in 1997. After Closer, Osawa turned his hand to production, helming the BoArd for Ua's Rhythm, Chara's Junior Sweet, and Monday Michiru's You Make Me to name a few. After a move to Sony Music Associated Records, Osawa produced his biggest album to date on his Sony-affiliated For Life Records. The album was the eponymous first release from R&B sensation Bird, and sold 800,000 copies. Osawa followed up in 2000 with his own MG4, again released under the Mondo Grosso name and featuring such heavyweights as N'dea Davenport (Brand New Heavies) and Amel Larrieux (Groove Theory). The album spawned the hit single "Life", which owned the radio in the summer of that year. MG4 was released in a total of 25 countries, and Osawa followed up with a gig with Jamiroquois on a remix project, as well as providing a track for the official 2002 World Cup album Fever Pitch. He released the smash hit "Shinin'" featuring Kj from Dragon Ash, and helped steer Mika Nakashima into club jazz territory on her single "Love Addict". His streak continued in 2004, and he released his fifth album Next Wave featuring BoA, Kj, Towa Tei, Ua, and a host of other high profile artists.