The New Mastersounds Keb Darge Presents The New Mastersounds (BBE) Rating: NNNN
As DJ Keb Darge’s interests deviate into smoothed-out contemporary R&B, his endorsement of the New Mastersounds release is no longer the “deep funk” seal of approval it was meant to be. But thankfully, this hard-swinging New Mastersounds album has none of that schmaltzy faux soul he’s started releasing on his own label, just raunchy Hammond-stoked groove action that updates the Mohawks-style bashing with sophisticated rhythmic shifts and heavy horn blasts. Old-school fans of the Meters on your Christmas list will find lots to dig. Incidentally, Keb Darge spins with the Movement crew at Roxy Blu Friday (November 30).
