Search - New Mastersounds :: This Is What We Do

I hope they keep doing what they do!

The Delite Rancher | Phoenix, Arizona | 07/11/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

""This Is What We Do" is nothing less than a mind-blowing trip into the land of funky jazz. It swings and rocks. The ingredients include a heavy helping of soul and funk with a sprinkling of psychedelia and lounge. As with the art work, much of the music sounds like it was recorded sometime in the sixties and seventies, drawing on likes of the Meters and Howard Roberts. The production is partly responsible for the great vintage sound. The disc blends dazzling arrangements with jaw dropping solos. The melodies are catchy and toe tapping. At times, Eddie Roberts guitar work echoes Mike Bloomfield's playing with the Butterfield Blues Band. While the guitar is hot, it is keyboardist Bob Birch who seems to be in the driver's seat. Jimi Hendrix fans will have to seriously consider the possibility that this quartet recorded a better version of 'Ain't No Telling.' With Sam Bell's assistance, 'The Tin Drum' is a polyrhythmic feast. Karl Denson affirms the importance of these young turks by playing on 'You Got It All.' As if their jammin' live shows weren't enough, this album catapults the New Mastersounds into the forefront of the scene. If "This Is What We Do" is what the New Mastersounds do, I for one hope they keep doing it!"