UK funk four-piece The New Mastersounds first got together in Leeds in 1999, with visionary guitarist and producer Eddie Roberts at the helm. Though it was raw, and more of a boogaloo sound at first, it was powerful from the start. Their first rehearsal, recorded in a friend’s basement, was hot enough for Blow it Hard Records to release on two limited-edition 7" singles in 2000.   Four studio albums, one live album, 21 singles, and countless compilations later, they now enjoy a reputation in the USA as one of the most eye-poppingly funky live acts on the scene, to the point where the likes of Ivan Neville, Stanton Moore and Skerik are lining up to sit in whenever they find themselves on the same bill. As a band, and as individuals, they have clocked up collaborations with an impressive array of musicians DJs and producers, including: Lou Donaldson (Blue Note), Corinne Bailey Rae (EMI), Quantic (Tru Thoughts), Carleen Anderson (Young Disciples / Brand New Heavies), Keb Darge & Kenny Dope (Kay Dee Records), John Arnold (Ubiquity), Mr Scruff (Ninja Tune), Snowboy (Ubiquity), Fred Everything (2020vision), Andy Smith (Portishead), James Taylor (JTQ), LSK (Faithless), and Karl Denson (Lenny Kravitz / Greyboy AllStars)   2007 started auspiciously - on the first night of their very first Jamcruise, the NMS were playing Meters tunes with George Porter Jr sitting in - just one of the highlights of a legendary 3-hour set. On their return to the UK the band were greeted by a capacity crowd at London's prestigious Jazz Cafe venue for the album launch of 102%. They also performed tunes from the new album for Mark Lamarr on BBC Radio Two. Perhaps their real initiation into the American funk scene took place in April 07 with the band's first trip to New Orleans.  This was where they played their own late night shows at the House of Blues and the Blue Nile and where Eddie stuck around for the following week to sit in with the likes of Idris Muhammed, Lonnie Smith, Galactic, Papa Mali and The Greyboy Allstars. Having thrilled audiences at Wakarusa, Harmony, Gratefulfest and High Sierra music festivals, the NMS returned to the US at the end of July - to Chicago, to play Wicker Park and to open for The Headhunters.   On the record front, German label Legere Recordings released their compilation ‘An Introduction to The New Mastersounds’ on CD and LP in May 07, while Milan-based label Record Kicks was putting together an album of NMS tunes remixed by a host of talented underground funk and beats producers. "The New Mastersounds - Re::Mixed" was released on CD, LP and itunes on October 15th.  The band is working on a fifth studio album over the winter.   As an example of the respect this band commands, Peter Wermelinger - DJ, collector, and author of the crate-diggers' bible The Funky & Groovy Music Lexicon - places the 2001 NMS track 'Turn This Thing Around' in his all-time top-ten tunes, along with the likes of Eddie Harris, Funkadelic, and Herbie Hancock. The New Mastersounds are at the very top of an elite selection of acts that bring the true soul out of funk.