This is another fine contribution by Mr. Moo.
A classic bit of uptempo funk for the dancefloor and one of the tightest records from the time on Prelude! The group have a sound that’s partly in the Earth Wind & Fire ensemble mode and partly in the early disco style of other east coast groups augmented by just the right touch of strings to give them a nice full sound. The instrumentation’s all pretty nice, with lots of strong sax solos and other nice breakaway bits and titles include “I Am Music”, “Hustle Bus Stop”, “Mother Nature”, and “Runnin’ Away from Love”.
This is a @256 vinyl rip of the original Prelude Records including covers.
Tracks
A1. I Am Music (3:53)
A2. Hustle Bus Stop (4:41)
A3. Free And Wild (5:24)
A4. Disco Party In The Street (4:12)
B1. Mother Nature (5:24)
B2. Runnin’ Away (4:09)
B3. Mastermind (6:04)
Produced by Danny Weiss
Executive Producer: Coolidge Abel-Bey
Mastermind are: Anselm Scrubb (trumpet, vocals), Mario Ford (baritone, tenor sax), Guy Fuertes (tenor sax, flute), Juan Clouden (percussion), Wendell Derrick (vocals, percussion), Lenny White (alto sax, flute), Joe Frye (guitar, vocals), Geoffrey Williams (keyboards, vocals), Brian Wilson (drums, vocals), Carl Bain (bass, vocals)
When R&B went high-tech in the ’80s, genuine bands became harder and harder to find. There were still plenty of groups in the ’80s and ’90s, although honest-to-God bands that had nine or ten members and boasted full horn sections became the exception instead of the rule. When Cameo and the Ohio Players downsized in the ’80s, you knew that large funk bands were becoming an endangered species. But back in 1977, when Mastermind’s first and only album came out on Prelude, R&B was still full of large, horn-driven bands. Listening to this enjoyable, if uneven, LP, you won’t be blown away by the singing — Mastermind didn’t have a great lead vocalist like Earth, Wind & Fire’s Philip Bailey, L.T.D.’s Jeffrey Osborne, or the Commodores’ Lionel Richie to win you over. What you will appreciate is the overall sound of the band and the horn-driven, jazz-influenced, very danceable funk grooves — cuts like “Mother Nature,” “I Am Music,” and “Hustle Bus Stop” could easily appeal to fans of Brass Construction, Mass Production, the Crown Heights Affair, or BT Express. Several jazz musicians are employed as guests, including saxman David Sanborn, trumpeter Jon Faddis, and guitarist Steve Khan. But none of them do a great deal of improvising — they’re only on board to support Mastermind, whose LP wasn’t a big seller and has long been out of print but is worth acquiring if, by some chance, you come across a copy somewhere. (Alex Henderson, All Music Guide)
thanx
Funky and groovy! excellent choice Mr.Moo.
Much Thanks Mr. Moo!!
thanks for posting
This kicks ass, love it. Thanks Mr Moo and Nikos!
Don’t you just love those horns and strings – everything is way too polished these days !! ‘Mother Nature’ ripped up those dancefloors, but my favourite butt shaker was ‘Hustle bus stop’.
The essence of 70s funk and its uninhibited raw energy is all right here – fabulous choice Mr Moo – parrrrty !!
Looks like fire right here. Bravo Mr.Moo and Nikos.
Nice! This looks like it’s gonna be rally good….thanks brothers. Peace
Good LP. Great label.
Many thanks Mr Moo & Nikos.
THANK YOU SO MUCH…………..GREAT RECORD
Not familiar but can’t wait to listen to it.
Thanks Moo & Nikos!
/Laf
Thank you
I’ve always appreciated your smazing shares. Mr.Moo, thank you also for letting me be part of your blog, and thank you Nikos for all of this.
much love from Malaysia!
thanks 4 the groove…..
Thank U
Thank you nikos & Mr.Moo. Love this joint. Really brightened my day!!!
Many thanks Mr Moo & Nikos!
Another great share. Love this site.
Thanks Nikos!!
Hi guys, pleased to see this share… And thanx for all the things you put on your blog. They are always welcome !
Thanx a lot.
Outerpsych
Never seen it! i will definitely check it. thanx.
This is damn good!
Lovely share. Much Appreciated!
Another gem! Can’t wait to give it a spin!
Hi Nikos,
Great find! I thought I knew the entire Prelude label, but I must have skipped over this. Thank you Mr. Moo & Nikos as always.
Peace & much love, Jerome
Thanks for introducing Mastermind, Mr.Moo.
Thanks Mr. Moo and Nikos
nikos many thanx for the mastermind album cant wait to hear it
Thank you Nikos and (of course) Mr. Moo for this great funky gem!!! Love it!!!
Oh yeah! It is party time. Thanks again
Thanks Mr Moo and Nikos, Mastermind is new for me but excellent
Exellence album. Big thanks.
Good read. Thanks. The original Bass player of this group is in my band now, and he’s still a bad man!!