StLJN Saturday Video Showcase: Meet The New Mastersounds

Today, let's get acquainted with the British funk/jazz group The New Mastersounds, who are coming to St. Louis to play on Friday, June 6 at the Old Rock House.

Drawing inspiration from the Meters, Booker T and the MGs, 1960s soul-jazz, and James Brown's various rhythm sections, The New Mastersounds were formed in 1999 in Leeds by guitarist/bandleader Eddie Roberts, drummer Simon Allen and bassist Pete Shand, with Joe Totten replacing the original keyboardist in 2007.

With more than a dozen albums out - their latest, Therapy, was released earlier this year - The New Mastersounds also keep up a busy touring schedule at home and abroad. Here in the USA, they've played clubs and small theaters, opened for bigger acts such as the Headhunters and the Greyboy All-Stars, and seem to have found steady work at various festivals associated with the jam band scene. (Given how long they've been around, it seems like they ought to have played St. Louis at some point before now, but confirmation of that has proved elusive so far.)

At any rate, today's collection of clips should provide an ample sampling of sounds for both current fans and the curious, starting with the first video "Monday Meters," a live-in-the-studio version of one of the songs from their new album.

Down below the jump, you'll find versions of "Freckles" and "Burnt Back" recorded in November 2012 at a gig in Denver. Below that, there's a five-song excerpt from their set in November 2013 at the Bear Creek Festival, featuring versions of "Run The Gauntlet," "On The Border," "Stop This Game," "Morning Fly" and "Soulshine."

And if after that you're in the mood to hear more, you can check out full sets from The New Mastersounds in the last two videos, recorded in June 2013 at the LOHI Music Festival in Denver and in June 2012 at the Barkley Ballroom in Frisco, CO.

For more about The New Mastersounds and Therapy, check out this feature published in March by the blog Roots and Beats.

You can see the rest of today's videos after the jump...