The New Mastersounds

Probably the most succesful of the new British funk bands at the moment and certainly amongst the most exciting, from the moment they burst onto the scene with the panty wetting "One Note Brown" 45 they have dominated the scene. As a result of being heavily promoted by Keb Darge and eventually produced by him they have enjoyed a higher profile than many of their contemporaries. Their LP of 2001, while dismissed by a small but vocal handful of anally retentive obsessives as being "too produced", in my opinion remains one of the best examples of how to move the sound forward to a wider audience without losing the spirit of the deepfunk sound. to see them live as an 8 piece is to experience them at their most devastating.

Members:
quartet:
Eddie Roberts - guitar / bandleader / main writer
Simon Allen - drums
Pete Shand - bass
Bob Birch - Hammond
eight-piece:
Cleve Freckleton - vocals
Jason Rae - alto, baritone, flute
Jim Corry - tenor
Malcolm Strachan - trumpet

Headquarters:
Simon's house, Leeds, UK

How long have you been together?
since 1999 (Si and Eddie since 1997)

How did you form?
The Underground (Leeds jazz / groove club) was once the focus of a 'happening' live scene which sucked us in like a crazy vortex and swirled us around until we started playing music together. sort of.

Describe your sound:
The Meters bump into Hendrix who then starts a fight with Grant Green who flags down the JBs as they go past in a minibus driven by Jimmy McGriff.

Inspirations:
Depeche Mode, Erasure, OMD (please be a joke!)

Releases to date:
singles:
One-Note Brown
Ode to Bobbie Gentry
Hot Dog
It's All Right Now
Can't Hold Me Down
Better Off Dead

Album
Keb Darge Presents the New Mastersounds (2001)

Record Label(s):
Blow it Hard / Deep Funk / Cooker

Current News:
Eddie's just built a wall in his back garden.

What is in the pipeline?
thinking about doing another album, if anyone's interested

Where can people hear you play?
roughly once a month at the Wardrobe, Leeds. About once every three months at the Jazz Cafe, London. Twice a year at La Boite in Barcelona (that's if we go back again in September)

Is there a 'deep funk' scene?
hmmm.... We never get to see the other bands as we're always gigging when they come to town. Maybe it doesn't really exist.

Anything to add?
578 + 345

Website:
www.hammondbeat.com




images © Mary McDonald
The Boogaloo Investigators

What can I say about this band that somebody has not already articulated in a much more clear and evocative summary of the excitement they bring to record? A quick friendly email from Richard W. Rinn on average can take up to 20 minutes to read and a further 10 mins to decifer what's being said through the enthusiastic stream of consciousness he pours into his correspondence. Am I complaining? Fuck no, its this kind of energy that has made people from Keb Darge to Neil Sugarmen stop and listen to this fresh talent from the wonderful city of Glasgow. Their first 45, a cover of the New Orleans deepfunk killer "Let The Groove Move You" (originally recorded by Gus "The Groove" Lewis for Tou-Sea records) sold out almost immediately creating the need for a quick second pressing to supply demand. They are on the verge of releasing their second 45 featuring cover versions of Joe & Everyday People's "Sleepwalk" and Bobby Williams' "Let's Work A While" which if you are luckily enough to find a copy should be well worth the few pounds. I got in touch with singer and harmonica player Richard recently to find out who exactly are the Boogaloo Investigators...

Members:
Duncan Kennedy: guitar, Gary Woodside: drums, Iain McClean: keyboard, James Cox: bass. Richard W. Rinn: vocals, harmonica

Headquarters:
Augusta, GA. Err..sorry, Glasgow, Scotland.

How long have you been together:
Since mid-2001.

How did you form:
Duncan, Jim and Iain were already trying to get something together with a drummer (not Gary), with 'funky intentions' (for example, songs they were doing before I came on board were Joe Quarterman's So Much Trouble, William DeVaughn's Be Thankful and War's Low Rider). I met Dunc through sitting in on harmonica with another band he was in that I would go see regularly (I wasn't really in a band yet), called The Cobramatics, who covered a sort of fifties/early sixties melting pot of R&B styles. I think 'funk' came up when he was having a swatch at some CD's I'd just bought, including one of the Funk Spectrum comp's, and a Hank Ballard one. I put forth some purchasing tips, such as Dyke & The Blazers, Charles Wright, Spike's Choice
2, and the Sugarman 3's then-current second album. Not long after, I was invited over to a rehearsal to see what it would sound like covering some sax type areas with the harmonica (Soul Donkey and Turtle Walk were learnt). In the next couple of months we hooked up with Gary (the other drummer was in loads of other bands), who'd been on the same college course as Jim, and
hurriedly got about ten songs down for our first mini gig, by which time I'd started singing on a few numbers. We were pulling material mainly from tapes I'd been feeding the band, and had to then increase the repertoire substantially for a 'full gig'.

Describe your sound:
A varied pallette, centred around rhythm and blues, taking in funk, soul, some jazz, blues, rock. Thanks to early efforts aiming to play Green Onions 'properly', we focussed on what made the groove tick and rediscovered the backbeat, which then opened the door to constantly playing with as much Groove as can be mustered (in the kitchen, with the spanner), in approach more connected with sixties and earlier forms and arrangements of rhythm and blues - basically what makes good funk tick, but it's evident right back to delta blues, and I'm sure goes back much further than the recorded medium, basically since people started dancing to rhythm. A nice melody doesn't go amiss either!

Inspirations:
To mention a few that have had a definite effect on the band, I'd say sixties James Brown, Jimmy McGriff, late-Desco, sixties New Orleans stuff, The Artwoods, The Exciting Wilson Pickett.

Releases to date:
Let the Groove Move You b/w I Got the Feelin' (inst.) 45 Record Label: Defunkt Records

Current News:
Our second single has recently come about, somewhat by surprise, speedily, and out of the blue. A bit of a marketing opportunity reared its head to tie in a 45 with our forthcoming gig at The Funk Room in Glasgow on April 18th, then a further tie-in with Puma made resistableness highly 'ir'. So, we laid down two out and out funk numbers from our live set, namely Sleep
Walk and Let's Work a While, both branded with the Boogaloo stamp. We're giving away 200 copies to the first folk in at the Funk Room, and as its a severely limited pressing, a small dribble may be available outwith this - we're still trying to figure out the best way to deal with these remaining copies, which are already highly sought after.

What is in the pipeline:
Well we've been writing and recording. What's in the pipeline will be more gigs and more records! The tricky part about the latter however is figuring out what format. We're not sure if the 45 format is only viable for the out and out funk side of things or not. We've talked about a 10" and perhaps also CD EP or we may well go the whole hog and attempt an LP/CD. We're also currently talking with Acid Jazz about getting one of our tracks (preferably one of our new originals) on their forthcoming Hammond Street 2 compilation.

Where can people hear you play:
We cut our teeth for the first year and a bit playing the Scottish pub circuit, in venues more used to rock and blues-rock. It's getting rare now to catch us in pubs, as we've moved into more club-based work, often guesting at nights run by DJ's. Our varied style means you might catch us playing a more funk-based set on the deepfunk/hip hop scene, or at more sixties or mod-based events, even jazz and blues venues - the easiest way to keep up with that is to visit www.boogalooinvestigators.co.uk. We've played The Wardrobe in Leeds, Po Na Na in Manchester, The Cluny in Newcastle, Cabaret Voltaire in Edinburgh, The Art School in Glasgow. Some upcoming gigs include The Go Go in Edinburgh (with The Wildebeests), The Funk Room in Glasgow and some mod/scooter related gigs in the summer with the Friday Street crew up here, and the New Untouchables down there. We've talked about getting something happening in London for a while, including talk of doing the 100 Club with the Gene Drayton Unit, or maybe something at The Jazz Cafe, and we're also trying to tie up some European gigs. It would be cool to make it over to the U.S. also. We really are centred around playing live, so..err...check your bucket an' that!

Is there a 'deepfunk' scene:
I'd give that a resounding YES in a definite no kinda way. We've aimed our first two singles at that bleedin' scene, and the demand has been phenomenal, so it had better exist or we'll be very confused (remember what happened to Dave Dee Dozy Beaky Mick & Tich!). I think there's definitely something about, something in the air with the late-sixties/early-seventies funk, mainly with people coming from a hip hop perspective - you can go places and hear it in loadsa cities across the U.K. (and beyond, I guess) at the moment, where it was very marginal several years ago - crumbs, you can even read about it in magazines now! However, it's not just as black and white as some people might like when trying to call it a thing, as it crosses over into other areas, as do we, and as it did thirty odd years ago. I think it would be a bit boring if it solidified. As much as I like funk, I just like music with feeling, and don't think it should all be segregated or the sake of people who want to market it and sell the uniform and so on. I mean, take the Northern Soul scene - I'm sure they play a lot of music that I'd like, but it's far too regimented for me. When I go, I don't hear them playing Northern Soul so much as ignoring R&B.

Anything to add:
I would like to add the word 'bawz', but I'm concerned about being misunderstood.

Website:
www.boogalooinvestigators.co.uk

Speedometer

Speedometer are one of those great live acts that have never truly received their deserved props, since forming in 97 they have recorded consistantly good sides for several labels including New York's Soul Fire, as well as backing legendary artists such as Marva Whitney, Eddie Bo and Sir Joe Quarterman on their visits to The Jazz Café. They move between the deeper hypnotic sounds of afrobeat and grittier heavier funk with ease, a feat that many others try but often lack the fluidity and style. Their latest 45 the Marva Whitney inspired funky soul music of "wait Up" could possibly be one of the greatest 'new' funk recordings to date and should by rights propel them to the forefront of the deepfunk / sixties RnB Soul scene.

Members:
core members - 8 (15 with guests)

Headquarters:
East Anglia

How long have you been together:
5 years

How did you form:
Formed from various musical backgrounds from blues and jazz funk bands. started as a hammond organ quartet playing meters covers. the band grew in popularity and size and now includes resident horn section and singers

Describe your sound:
heavy funk (but sometimes combined with soul and latin)

Inspirations:
early 70's rare funk, nuyorican latin funk and 70's afro beat

Releases to date:
Soul Safari / Two Beat Beast - (45 single) Soul Fire Records (Aug 00)
Grazing in the trash - (CD comp album) Soul Fire Records (Dec 00)
Ain't going to Thursford - (45 single) Kennel Klub Records (May 01)
Up the down / Its my thing - (45 single) Timmion Records (Jan 02)
Time for change/Accra Int Airport/Descarga d'escargot - (10" EP) kennel Klub (Sep 02)
Wait Up / Its our turn - (45 single) Kennel Klub Records (Dec 02)

Current News:
recording LP for "Blow it Hard" records - due late summer 03

Where can people hear you play:
Delaneys, Norwich May 25th Tour planned autumn 03 to promote LP- details on website www.speedometer-funk.co.uk

Is there a 'deepfunk' scene:
Yes I suppose there is a small scene. However, there are plenty of people who like funk but don't involve
themselves in the scene, or don't frankly care whether there is a scene or not. They go to gigs/clubs - have a good night and go home. thats it. (sometimes they buy a funk CD) There are many enthusiasts who are passionate about good funk/scene and do something about it. (DJ ing, starting up record labels, form a band!) We recognise and support that, but are not bothered by armchair critics who pick holes in we or others do.

Website:
www.speedometer-funk.co.uk




Stoned Soul Picnic

The first time I heard this band was through a 45 called "Boogaloo Baby" , I had seen flyers for the band around Nottingham in the Summer of 2001 and was curious as to who they were and what they sounded like. On playing the 45 for the first time all existing preconceptons of a typically retro mod outfit were immediately shattered by the dirtiest drumbreak opening and killer hammond stabs, this was pure hip hop all the way from top to bottom. The right influences were there, from the infectious groove of classic Blue Note to the instant fix of New Orleans funk fused with the ass shakin' rhythmic intensity of a hammond organ. I don't know if there is any way to find their 2 45's now as they were issued in very low numbers but not to fear 'cause they are about to cut some new fresh material very soon.

Members:
Justin Dodsworth------Hammond Organ, Wurlitzer Piano
Anthony Reed-----Electric Guitar
Harry Furnell-----Bass Guitar
Mark Evans----Drums

Headquarters:
Nottingham, England

How long have you been together?
5 years

How did you form?
Myself and a sax player used to jam together a few years back. We were both soul boys at the time and were into Junior Walker & the all stars, King Curtis, Billy Preston, that kind of thing. We hooked up with a guitarist and drummer that we knew in Nottingham, and later on a bass player, then we started gigging a set of covers, some sax led & some organ led. One of our first shows was opening up for the Sugarman 3 when they first came to England in 1998. After a while we parted company with the sax player and regrouped as a four piece and adopted a harder grittier sound and began to start writing our own material and developing our own style.

Describe your sound:
There are a lot of Soul and early funk influences but it is essentially a very British sound, there are far too many so called funk bands around that think that all you have to do is copy James Brown’s licks and try and sound like the J.B’s, I hope we are offering something a bit different.

Inspirations:
Musically: The Meters, The Mohawks, The Small Faces, Billy Preston, Allen Toussaint, Pretty Purdie.
Spiritually: John Lennon, Cassius Clay

Releases to date:
Boogaloo Baby/ Crosstown Traffic 7” SSP2 September 2001-----500 copies
Hip Joint/A Little Leveller 7” BIH14 November 2002----750 copies

Record Label(s):
Currently with Blow it hard Records, London who are probably best known for releasing the first New Mastersounds 7” ‘One note Brown’

Current News:
After recently decorating our studio we are settling down to record our LP over May and June, which will feature guest appearances from vocalists and horn players.

What is in the pipeline?
Recording the Album is the main priority, although we may put out a 7” in the meantime. Later on in the year we will be doing a short tour of Europe.

Where can people hear you play?
For full updates on all our gigs check out www.hammondbeat.com and select the band from the menu. For Hammond fans this site also contains info on some other great bands such as New Mastersounds and Boogaloo Investigators

Is there a 'deep funk' scene?
I don’t know, we don’t pigeon-hole ourselves into any particular scene, sometimes we will play where the music is mostly late 60’s early 70’s funk, and other times we will play at Mod festivals which is a totally different audience. I think there is quite a healthy scene for Funk D.J’s, there are always some good nights on in most cities, but it is more difficult for bands because it costs more money to put on. Most promoters are reluctant to take risks and try something different, so you have to build up your own following to get a bit of clout and get gigs without having to compromise or sell-out!

Website:
www.hammondbeat.com