Customer Reviews

Plug & Play

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

With "Plug & Play," the New Mastersounds again embark on a satisfying voyage to the land of funky jazz. The band is as tight as ever as the lads swing and rock with masterful precision. Six of the tunes are the sort of instrumental brilliance that we've come to expect from Eddie Roberts and company. Highlights include 'Thermal Bad' and 'Idris.' What sets this album apart from the rest of the band's discography is the inclusion of Dionne Charles. Singing on four of the ten tracks, Charles adds a soulful voice to the band. Much as the New Mastersounds hark back to music played in the sixties and seventies, Dionne Charles sings in a style the combines vintage soul with the proficiency of a trained jazz vocalist. Her vocals fit, but there's the sense that Charles blemished what would have otherwise been another perfect instrumental album. As on "Re:Mixed" and "Be Yourself," the New Mastersounds like to throw in a guest vocalist every now and then. If nothing else, Dionne Charles' participation works for variety sake. Aside from the Charles factor, the most unusual track on "Plug & Play" is 'Kuna Matata.' This Afrobeat number is sprinkled with Troy Howe's Afrocentric spoken words. With a hard groove, this fantastic tune trips hard. New listeners will want to begin with albums like "This Is What We Do" (2005), "Live at La Cova" (2006) and "102%" (2007). This is a strong effort, but the participation of Dionne Charles puts "Plug & Play" on a second tier.

The real deal. Their best album to date. These guys along with Quantic Soul Orchestra, Bulk, and The Budos Band are laying down the modern funk. If you like The Meters' early stuff or Grant Green's funk period, this is the music for you. The singer's awesome as well...Great production on all cuts.

Phew is all I can say! These guys can work up a serious funk, I swear my CD player had drops of sweat on it after I played this CD. If you haven't caught them live, do it. If you can't see them live then "Plug & Play" should pump up the volume in your life.