Be Yourself [Extra tracks, Import]

The New Mastersounds | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 18, 2006)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Import
• Label: Eq Music Singapore
• ASIN: B000M9BR6K
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #790,378 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. This Ain't Work

2. Your Love Is Mine

3. Can't Hold Me Down

4. Be Yourself

5. Better off Dead

6. You've Had It All

7. Barça

8. Six Underground

9. Coming Up Roses

10. Coming Down

11. R.T.A.

12. Do What You Gotta Do

13. Idle Time

14. This Ain't Work, Pt. 2

15. Your Love Is Mine [Fred Everything Remix][*]

16. The Minx [*]

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The New Mastersounds from Leeds are a superb group, They're unbelievable live, it's Grant Green hardcore fatback funk." --Snowboy, Big Daddy Magazine, April 2001

"What they bring to the table is unbridled enthusiasm for classic funk, soul and jazz and a staggering combined talent" --Oliver Goodyear, Gigwise, May 2003

"One of the tightest live acts you're ever likely to see without getting the JB's involved." --Oliver Goodyear, Gigwise, May 2003 --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Product Description

When the UK's heaviest contemporary funk band The New Mastersounds, dropped their debut album in 2001, "Keb Darge Presents The New Mastersounds" (Deep Funk Records/BBE), no one could have foreseen the impact it would have, both in the UK and worldwide. The quality musicianship and supertight band unity, married to an authentic but gritty sound and production, elicited respect from funk-lovers, 7" single addicts and loop-diggers across the globe. The band resisted pressure to rush out a second album, even though DJs and fans constantly urged them for more music. Instead, they released a brace of 7" singles to keep demand satisfied, whilst slowly putting together new original material. Two years after their debut, the second album finally arrived. "Be Yourself" is not just another album - it's a statement of intent, a declaration of independence - 100% New Mastersounds music, written, played, bankrolled, produced and released by the band themselves. "No trends, no gimmicks, no hype - just us," as guitarist and principal writer Eddie Roberts said on completion. It's a departure from the full band debut album as it features the original core quartet, NMS4 (New Mastersounds Four) guitarist Eddie Roberts, drummer Simon Allen, bassist Pete Shand and organist/pianist Bob Birch. The decision was made to revert to the original four piece line-up and give the second long player a totally different sound: more space, more solos, a different dynamic. And it's worked! Gone is the full-throttle, all-guns-blazing heavy funk attack of previous recordings, replaced by a more mature and subtle sound, introducing influences as varied as deep soul, soundtrack jazz, flamenco, latin beats, Indian vibes, rock and Northern soul - the full scope of music the NMS4 grew up listening to and still love today. Funksters, don't worry, there are still fat and greasy grooves here in classic NMS style, particularly "This Ain't Work", "Can't Hold Me Down" and "You've Had it All" - turning up the heat in pure Meters/Gaturs style. For me, the uptempo "Do What You ! Gotta do" is the killer dancefloor track, a nod to classic Ramsey Lewis with its acoustic piano flavour. All these should keep the breaks, beats and funkological crowd happy. The Northern Soul-inspired title track "Be Yourself" and the mojo-beat of "Coming up roses" will bring a smile to the faces of their large mod following. There's the psyched-out funk/rock attack of "RTA" – the band's reaction to a tragic incident witnessed during the making of this record - and the flamenco fusion of "Barça", a tribute to time spent in their favourite city and a classic jazzdance flyer. Finally, two vocal tracks that show just how far the NMS have matured in the last few years. First up, "Your love is mine", a deep soul ballad delivered by Corinne Bailey Rae. It's a love song that conjures up those lazy, hazy summer days, lounging with your lover as all around, time stands still. Secondly, special guest vocalist LSK, Sony recording artist and blue-eyed soul sensation. Returning a favour (Eddie played guitar on his Outlaw album), Leigh's street poetry paean "Idle Time" is drenched in the blues, an original with all the flavour of a Mose Allison classic, but updated for the hiphop generation. Yes, The New Mastersounds are definitely back! It's been a long time coming, but I'm sure you'll agree on listening to this second album, well worth the wait. A giant leap forward for a band already at the top of their game - today's "kings of funk" have broadened their horizons and delivered an album that embraces the full spectrum of soulful black music. But forget the categories, this is simply 'good music, full stop!' Wherever you hear the record - at home or in a club - just listen and enjoy it." Lubi Jovanovic (Straight No Chaser Magazine) --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars hot stuff!, July 10, 2005

By 

The Delite Rancher (Phoenix, Arizona) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Be Yourself (Audio CD)

The New Mastersounds explode with energy on "Be Yourself." On one hand, the band's sound is like organic acid jazz, but on the other hand it has an aged and vintage feel. The end result is music that sounds both fresh and time-tested. Their funky and danceable sound seems to draw on the likes of the Meters, Howard Roberts and Jimmy McGriff. The disc sparkles in terms of the arrangements and the solos by individual musicians. While Eddie Roberts' guitar work is hot, Bob Birch's keyboards are the real engine behind the group. The only dark cloud over "Be Yourself" is the vocals by Corinne Bailey Rae and LSK. While these two tracks distinguish the disc from the other funky jazz that's out there, it's not for the better. All in all, this quartet proves that the UK has some serious jazz musicians who are well schooled in improvisation. Although not as good as 2005's "This Is What We Do," "Be Yourself" establishes that the New Mastersounds not only know how to put on a good live show but shine in the studio.

4.0 out of 5 stars hot stuff!, February 16, 2008

By 

The Delite Rancher (Phoenix, Arizona) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Be Yourself (Audio CD)

The New Mastersounds explode with energy on "Be Yourself." On one hand, the band's sound is like organic acid jazz, but on the other hand it has an aged and vintage feel. The end result is music that sounds both fresh and time-tested. Their funky and danceable sound seems to draw on the likes of the Meters, Howard Roberts and Jimmy McGriff. The disc sparkles in terms of the arrangements and the solos by individual musicians. While Eddie Roberts' guitar work is hot, Bob Birch's keyboards are the real engine behind the group. The only dark cloud over "Be Yourself" is the vocals by Corinne Bailey Rae and LSK. While these two tracks distinguish the disc from the other funky jazz that's out there, it's not for the better. All in all, this quartet proves that the UK has some serious jazz musicians who are well schooled in improvisation. Although not as good as 2005's "This Is What We Do," "Be Yourself" establishes that the New Mastersounds not only know how to put on a good live show but shine in the studio.