The New Mastersounds hail from Leeds, UK. While Britain is more recently known for avant-R&B stylings of The XX, James Blake and FKA Twigs, these guys bring top-notch bluesy, funky, British soul in a land where that isn’t in abundance anymore…or at least I don’t hear much about that in UK from America.
The band, now in their 15th year, is lead by guitarist Eddie Roberts. His lightning fast hands and key-changing solos fall somewhere between Eric Krasno of Soulive and Trey Anastasio of Phish, comparibly speaking, but obviously Roberts’ style is all of his own.
Having only seen the band in the Spirit of Suwannee Music Park, the Brooklyn Bowl was a stark contrast from the previous environments, although Roberts’ suite makes much more sense in front of young NY professionals than it does in front of hippies in the woods.
The group’s material isn’t hugely familiar to me. I can’t say I’m a huge fan of any albums or songs, but of the style altogether. Simon Allen’s tight drums, Joe Tatton’s vintage organ sound and Pete Shand’s funky bass chops compliment Roberts’ lead as they work through elite jazz-fusion. One standout track was “Freckles,” dedicated, in Allen’s british accent, to the ladies in the house.
The band didn’t want to stop at 11.30, when ?uestlove’s weekly DJ set was slated to begin. Lucky for them, and you, they will be back at the Brooklyn Bowl tonight and tomorrow for an afternoon Family show along with a night-time rager. Tickets are still available here.