I had originally started this review with a cute anecdote. It’s kind of my thing, and everybody else’s. But I’m going to cut straight to it. This was fucking insane. Oh. Was my use of fuck in the fourth sentence a bit too much for you? Then why in a flying fuck would you be reading a review of Andy Frasco and The U.N.? I ask again, why in a flying fuck? Keeping you from feeling comfortable comes as easy to Andy and his band as it does to a leather couch on a humid day. So, don’t come to me looking for a run of the mill review of a run of the mill show. Andy Frasco and The U.N.

On Saturday July 25th, Color Red All-Stars ft. Eddie Roberts and DJ Logic took the stage at Knew Conscious in Denver, Colorado for a limited seating, socially distant show as part of the venue's weekly 'Alive from Knew Conscious' series. The 5+ hour set featured Eddie Roberts on guitar, Chris Spies on keyboards, Nate Edgar on bass, Jeff Franca on drums, and DJ Logic both spinning with the group and performing small sets intermittently. Eric "Benny" Bloom of Lettuce sat in throughout the set.

The Payback 501(c)(3) has partnered with The Sound Mind Collective and Color Red Music to establish a Musicians' Emergency Relief Fund in support of musicians facing economic hardships as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund provides an opportunity for live music supporters to contribute directly towards the financial stability of performing artists who may not be able to meet basic needs as cancellations increase. Eligible applicants will receive microgrants ranging from $100-$500 to cover housing, food, medical care, and other necessities.

This year marks 20 years for The New Mastersounds, and they've already dazzled crowds at Suwanee Rising and New Orleans Jazz Fest with their live set (currently featuring vocalist Lamar Williams Jr.), and they've released a 7" vinyl only single. But they're only just getting started.

There's something intangible about a first-time festival, and the community it brings together to celebrate the universal love language -- music. Suwannee Rising did just that last week, April 4-6, gifting roughly 3,500 visitors to the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park with a brand new experience under the trees of Live Oak, FL. 

High Sierra Music Festival saved a lengthy list of legendary artists and burgeoning up-and-comers for their second round of lineup announcements.

The temperature was perfect, and there was an early start to the night with the leader in British funk, The New Mastersounds. The Wales Ambassador, Eddie Roberts and his boys took the stage and wasted no time at all. Their flavor of funk is a unique, intricate, classy guitar-heavy instrumental sorcery. On this night, they even added a horn section to join them. As a side note, once at an ARISE Music Festival press conference that I was leading, I unexpectedly asked Roberts why he thinks that the tiny area of Great Britain produces so much brilliance in music, art, literature, etc. It was an idea that always baffled my mind how an area the size of Kansas can make so much beautiful art. His answer was brilliant. He responded after a pause with, “Misery.” Everyone in the room got a laugh, and one of my life long-burning questions was revealed. When their set came to an end after only 45 minutes, Roberts thanked the crowd and said that it seemed short, but that was because they are so used to often playing for 3 hours plus.

Today, Breckenridge Brewery announced the lineup for its 28th Anniversary Hootenanny featuring: Mike Gordon, Hard Working Americans, Billy Strings, Drew Emmitt/Andy Thorn & Friends (Eddie Roberts of The New Mastersounds, Daniel Rodriguez and Dango Rose of Elephant Revival, and Joe Lessard of Head for the Hills), The Sweet Lillies, The Teskey Brothers, Coral Creek, Woodshed Red, and Brothers of Brass.

In the course of their career spanning 19 years, 15 albums and countless tours around the globe, British four- piece, The New Mastersounds, have carved out a unique space for themselves as world-class purveyors of contemporary jazz-funk. Their particular blend of mostly instrumental, guitar-driven grooves has developed throughout the years to include a rich tapestry of textures, realized here in the latest full-length studio album Renewable Energy.

Matador! Soul Sounds is proud to announce their debut album Get Ready. The band consists of the dream team of Eddie Roberts (New Mastersounds) and Alan Evans (Soulive) alongside keyboardist Chris Spies and bassist Kevin Scott. Rounding out the already killer line-up are vocalists Kimberly Dawson (Pimps of Joytime) and Adryon de León (Orgone) bringing their soulful and powerful energy to the mix.