New Mastersounds new album

" Légère Recordings presents "Therapy", the ninth studio album by The New Mastersounds, the now multi-national funk band originally from Leeds/England. With a new perspective in sound and vision, Eddie Roberts (Guitar), Simon Allen (Drums), Joe Tatton (Keyboards) and Pete Shand (Bass) recorded 12 fresh tracks in Denver/Colorado USA, aiming for a forward thinking sound mixing vintage funk with raw soul, smart jazz and original disco.

There’s quite the sonic spectrum on there: (spoiler alert!) Keb Dargey deep funk (Old Man Noises), Ramsey Lewis-esque souljazz (Morning Fly), old-school soul-pop (I Want You to Stay), classic Meters-y NMS (Monday Meters), some St Germaine-ish jazz house (When it Rains…), funky British silliness (Whistle Song, Slow Down), JB groove (Soul Sista), Doorsy mellow jazz (Detox), a protest tune (WWIII), and a contemporary pop song done in the style of a 1974 George Benson instrumental cover version (Bruno Mars’s Treasure). Produced, as all previous NMS titles, by our guitarist Eddie Roberts." Album out now, on CD/LP/Digital.

Nick Pride & The Pimptones: "Rejuiced Phat Shake“

Nick Pride & The Pimptones have a new album out on Feb 14, titled Rejuiced Phat Shake, out on German label Légére Recordings (LP/CD/Digital).

The press blurb says "Newcastle’s finest funk and soul outfit Nick Pride & The Pimptones return with their second full length album Rejuiced Phat Shake, a collection of 14 smart grooves and a fearless blend of soul, jazz & funk tinged with rhythm & blues, disco, Latin, New Orleans Brass and Northern Soul.

After the strong impact of their debut album Midnight Feast Of Jazz (released in 2011 on Record Kicks from Milan/Italy) guitarist, composer, arranger and producer Nick Pride was determined to take his vision a step further towards connecting the grit and power of original soul music with the immediacy and joy of a cool, modern pop song. "I was always a fan of amazing pop songwriters like Burt Bacharach and Holland-Dozier-Holland, but on the other hand, being a dedicated musician, I love the raw energy of being on stage with a funk band."

With the Pimptones’ regular rhythm combo, a tight horns section and the additional presence of a soaring string quartet, the new album  Rejuiced Phat Shake is a well-crafted studio work, while Nick Pride was able to focus on his skills as a songwriter: "I am happy to have a rock solid foundation with my guys, it means we can try all this funky and diverse stuff in the studio, while also being a tight unit on stage.” 

Rejuiced Phat Shake presents a host of guest vocalists, each one chosen to bring in a different flavour. Like a Stax or Motown compilation of 7inch singles, the Pimptones “house band” remains the solid backbone while passing the microphone around in the studio. "Take Care Of My Love“ with Susan Hamilton’s voice and its irresistible uptempo Northern meets Motown beat and a cool hook is the first single from the album. Listen below...