In the course of their career spanning 19 years, 15 albums and countless tours around the globe, British four- piece, The New Mastersounds, have carved out a unique space for themselves as world-class purveyors of contemporary jazz-funk. Their particular blend of mostly instrumental, guitar-driven grooves has developed throughout the years to include a rich tapestry of textures, realized here in the latest full-length studio album Renewable Energy.
Recorded in two separate sessions, one in New Orleans and the other in Denver a few months later, Renewable Energy expands on the NMS template while still providing plenty of the band’s trademark sounds. Guitarist Eddie Roberts, drummer Simon Allen, bassist Pete Shand and keyboardist Joe Tatton are joined on this 12-track effort by a number of guests: Sam Bell, one of the founding members of NMS precursor The Mastersounds who also guested on two previous NMS albums, plays percussion on most of the tracks. Mike Olmos and Joe Cohen of West Coast Horns once again provide added horn action as they did on “Made For Pleasure” from 2015, while Adryon de León from LA band Orgone contributes vocals on “Gonna Be Just Me”. Uptempo numbers “Tantalus” and “Yokacoka” see the band flexing their playing chops over a tightly-wound rhythm, while “Green Was Beautiful” and “Groovin’ On The Groomers” are toe-tapping slabs of soul jazz. The band’s cover of James Gang’s “Funk 49” takes the album in a fuzzed- out psych-rock direction with Eddie singing the lead, while the moody Hancock-esque inflections of “Stash” and the sweet mellow vibes of “Swimming With My Fishies” add the final brush strokes of color to the canvas.
After almost two decades of activity it’s obvious The New Mastersounds are in no shortage of fuel, indeed they appear to have found the formula with which to stay relevant and fresh, running on Renewable Energy.
Tour Dates:
May 4 • New Orleans, LA • Joy Theater
May 5 • New Orleans, LA • Joy Theater
May 8 • Washington D.C. • Union Stage
May 9 • Ardmore, PA • Ardmore Music Hall
May 10 • Fairfield, CT • The Warehouse
May 11 • Brooklyn, NY • Brooklyn Bowl
May 12 • Brooklyn, NY • Brooklyn Bowl
May 25 • Mill Valley, CA • Sweetwater Music Hall
June 2 • Morrison, CO • Red Rocks
June 6 • Charleston, SC • Pour House
June 7 • Atlanta, GA • Terminal West
June 8 • Asheville, NC • Salvage Station
June 9 • Nashville, TN • The Cowan
June 13 • Boston, MA • The Sinclair
June 14 • Asbury Park, NJ • Wonder Bar
June 15 • Pittsburgh, PA • Rex Theater
June 16 • NY, NY • Rocks off Concert Cruise
June 21 • Crested Butte, CO • Public House
June 23 • Bend, OR • 4 Peaks Music Fest
