The Intersection: The New Mastersounds

The Intersection: An ongoing feature on JazzWrap that looks at artists that have blended jazz, world and electronica in new and highly creative ways.

The New Mastersounds
Out On The Faultline (One Note Records; 2012)
Joe Tatton (keys)
Pete Shand (bass)
Eddie Roberts (guitar)
Simon Allen (drums)

In short, this is the best New Mastersounds record to date. An awesome tour de force. On their eighth studio album, Out On The Faultline, we get the usual soul-funk fusion. But as with recent sessions the quartet have blended more jazz and vocal elements into their sound. The results are slowing bearing rich fruits.

The hyper voltage of the two opening numbers, "You Mess Me Up" and "Way Out West" are classic TNM. Allen and Roberts are blistering on both tracks. Setting the pace for an all-out groovy jam party.

"Ding-A-Ling" is a party call-to-arms. Just a straight up dance number. Chaotic and potent, with some excellent horn work from Joel Cohen. All alongside the twisting jumpin' jivin' party lyrics from the group. "Turncoat" for me, had a little spy-jazz vibe to it. The haunting keyboard work and bluesy guitar lines from Robert makes for some added heavy soul.

"Summercamp" is a dreamy, funky midtempo piece that feels slightly different than previous TNM numbers. It has an ethereal nature to it (circa early Paul Weller solo or even Mother Earth). Shand and Tatton add the creative framework throughout. But the soulful guitar of Roberts comes in towards the middle and carries the tune through a number sublime changes.

While much of The New Mastersounds work has been based in the American soul and British Acid Jazz vibe; the quartet in recent years has really grown and developed an excellent voice and direction. Out On The Faultline is a superb document of over a decade of work. And is easily one of my albums of year. Well worth any amount of money it cost to get it. Highly Recommended!

Breakestra: Dusk Till Dawn

Breakestra (group; formed 1996)
Dusk Till Dawn (Strut)

In the vein of The New Mastersounds but with the addition of revolving lead vocalists, Breakestra have evolved into a hybrid of Detroit Motown funk, Southern Soul and California hip hop lovin'. This is serious funk y'all. Fans of The Dirtbombs, Sharon Jones, The Roots, Poets In Rthythm and Broun Fellinis should take note of Breakestra, they are definitely the real deal. The US version of The New Mastersounds, maybe, but I think there is room for both Meters/Jimmy Smith-influenced soul groups.

Breakestra started on the on San Francisco club circuit by multi-instrumentalist, Miles Tackett. The group began at a local club the Breaks. They combined that name with one of their other influences Sun Ra's Arkestra and hence the soul funk hip hop Breakestra was born. After a series of DJ and club acclaimed 12''s and EPs and MixTapes (or in these case CDs) the band finally gained some major underground attention with Hit The Floor (Ubiquity Records) in 2005. At set melding their influences with great effect and featuring some killer riffs and funky lyrics. Hit The Floor featured floor-fillers "Stand Up," "Gotta Let Me Know," and "Family Rap". A fun, funky and fierce outing that is guaranteed to light up your speakers.

Brekestra returned in 2009 with an even funkier, soul jazz opus Dusk Till Dawn (Strut) which has everything you would want in a soul jazz band. There are infectious raucous rhythms and deep rootsy lyrics and long journey for peace and love. Opening with aptly titled "Need A Little Love" sets the tone for this wonderful tour de funk disc. The group pulls into Sharon Jones territory with "Come On Over" featuring Afrodyete, a mid-tempo burner that sure to have you sliding your feet across the floor with your lover.

Dusk Till Dawn also the wonderful call to arms for all the soul jazz bands on the scene with "No Matter Where Go" on where you can find soul across the globe. Dusk Till Dawn is definitely a funky ball-buster of an album but it's the softer moments that will make this a diverse and highly enjoyable outing. "I Don't Wanna Wait" and its instrumental counterpart "Me & Michelle" are great examples of those moments--a beautiful ballads (so to speak) that again demonstrates the band and album journey for peace, love and understanding among our fellow man/woman.

Breakestra have been on scene for too long without getting the recognition they so greatly deserve. I hope that Dusk Till Dawn is the statement that helps catapult them to the next level. Highly Recommended.