Trek
© Copyright-Andy Masters
(634479011221)
Record Label: 440 Productions
No items available in your wishlist
Career Highlights
Andy Masters career started at age 13 in Kansas City playing casuals. He stayed in the area and was known as a session player; jingle writer and performer until moving to L.A. in 1993 after signing an endorsement deal with Valley Arts Guitar. He played at the 1994 NAMM show with Bunny Brunel for Valley Arts as well as performing in Europe on their behalf. In 1995 he headlined with Bunny Brunel at the University of Colorado/Boulder as well as performing as a soloist in L.A. In 1996 Andy joined Herald Jackson's Ink Spots as guitarist and musical director. He finished out the 90's collaborating with Guitarist Cal Green, working clinics for Seymour Duncan with Al McKay and Blues Saraseno, writing the theme to the independent film "Cassie" and working on projects for producers Ron Wilson and Smokey Bates. In 2000 Andy hosted a TV pilot and appeared on two episodes of Ally McBeal while continuing to perform in Southern California. 2001 was highlighted by a performance at the Exhibitors Show at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas. He moved back to the Midwest in 2002 doing session work in Branson and Kansas City Missouri including writing and performing the music for the children's Video "March of the Teddy Bears" a fund raising project for Children's Mercy Hospital of Kansas City. Most recently Andy Masters has been a frequent musical guest on the syndicated "Jim Bakker" TV show as well as finishing his first CD "Trek"
Andy Masters is a proud endorser of Valley Arts Guitar, Soldano Custom Amplification and Levy's Leathers.
Liner Notes:
Song List;
1. Trek - A. Masters, K. Hudson, P. Cole
Andy Masters - guitars; Kenny Hudson - bass; Pete Cole - drums; Wayne Hawkins - keyboards
2. Cantaloupe Island - H. Hancock
Andy Masters - guitar; Cal Green Jr. - rhythm guitars; Kenny Hudson - bass; Pete Cole - drums; Wayne Hawkins - keyboards; Todd Wilkinson - Sax
3. K.C. Funk - A. Masters, C. Green
Andy Masters - guitar; Cal Green Jr. - rhythm guitar; Kenny Hudson - bass; Pete Cole - drums; Wayne Hawkins - keyboards; Todd Wilkinson - Sax
4. Footprints - W. Shorter
Andy Masters - guitar; Kenny Hudson - bass; Pete Cole - drums; Wayne Hawkins - keyboards
5. Brand X - A. Masters
Andy Masters - guitar; Cal Green Jr. - rhythm guitar; Kenny Hudson - bass; Pete Cole - drums; Wayne Hawkins - keyboards; Wayne Hawkins - keyboards; Todd Wilkinson - Sax
6. Memphis Underground - H. Mann
Andy Masters - guitars; Kenny Hudson - bass; Pete Cole - drums;
7. All Blues - M. Davis
Andy Masters - guitars; Kenny Hudson - bass; Pete Cole - drums; Wayne Hawkins - keyboards
8. Autumn Leaves - J. Mercer
Andy Masters - guitar; Debra Moreno-Lowther - Vocals
9. Stella By Starlight - V. Young
Andy Masters - guitar
Liner Notes;
So why did I name the album Trek? It has nothing to do with aliens with pointy ears or spaceships (although I do like that stuff). This is a different kind of journey. The recording of this album got started in 1993. Getting it to this point has been a great adventure. Six of the tracks where recorded in Kansas City in 1993. Then at urging of friends I moved to L.A. to further my career. While in the city of Angels I had the opportunity to work with many gifted musicians. Long-time personal relationships ended and new friendships blossomed. My dear friend Cal. Green Jr. who played on several cuts passed away in June 1995. (I still miss him). I hired a new agent and she has become the love of my life, we married not long ago. Some solo guitar cuts were recorded at local 47, in Los Angeles. I recorded two cuts with some L.A. cats at Sound Asylum (those will go on the next album). Then it came time to move back to Kansas City. The album still unfinished, here's where it gets more interesting. A studio in Kansas City (Audio Post) needed to test some equipment so Kenny, Pete and I went in to jam a little bit. The result was a cool version of Memphis Underground. A couple months later I was at Caravell Studio's in Branson showing Rodney Dillard my Blade guitars, we where waiting for a meeting, when Debra Moreno walked in and said let's try something real quick. The result is a very sweet duet of Autumn Leaves. One take! So, throw in a solo guitar cut recorded at local 47's studio in L.A. and then all I needed was a good mix. That was done at Caravell and I hope you like the result.
There are several people that deserve mention for helping make my trek a more pleasant road with there kind acts, wisdom, friendship and love. Many thanks to my wife Joy and family, Gordon Close, Gary Finkle and family, Gary Roudenko , Seymour Duncan, Al Carness, Mike McGuire, David Schubach, Michael Margulies, Gordon Scholes, Cal Green Sr. Ron and Rose Wilson, Cordell Ray (Practice, Practice, Practice...), Dennis Noda, Diane O'byrne, Bob Garrett, Jim Chumley, Rodney Dillard and everyone at Caravell Studio's and to all that recorded this album with me.
This album is dedicated to the memory of Cal Green Jr.
Andy Masters is a proud endorser Valley Arts Guitar, Soldano Custom Amplification and Levy's Leathers.
Cover photos: Joy Minkoff
Layout: Rene Ray
Producer: Andy Masters
Executive Producers: Joy Minkoff and Rodney Dillard
Mixed and mastered 2003 @ Caravell Studios, Branson, Mo.
Engineered by Greg Roller
Released by 440 Productions of Kansas City bebopguitar@kc.rr.com
Read more...
Please
log in to review the album.
"This is a well-rounded collection "
author: Roger Atkinson
This agreeable CD was recorded with similar personnel over a 10-year period, the bulk recorded in Kansas City in 1993. Andy Masters' electric guitar timbre has an edge to it, and it is well showcased in the selections contained herein.
“Trek” has a groove not unlike some of the funk on a Freddie Hubbard – Stanley Turrentine collaboration from the late 1970's; in other words, a nice toe-tapping groove. It's all Andy, from start to finish, with backbeats supplied by Pete Cole. Herbie Hancock's “ Cantaloupe Island ” keeps the groove going, albeit more relaxed than the opener. Todd Wilkinson follows the leader's solo with a wailer of his own. Wayne Hawkins' piano is also highlighted on this Blue Note classic.
Masters and Green collaborated on “K.C. Funk,” and it certainly is. Wilkinson and Masters get the simple theme across, and the tune returns to the home base halfway into Masters' outing, and does again before Wilkinson's statement. Masters has a second outing before “K.C. Funk” fades out.
On “Footprints,” Masters turns down the edge a tad, the result being a fairly straight-ahead reading. Not that it doesn't heat up; the tempo is quicker than this tune is typically played. Wayne Hawkins also has a nice acoustic piano solo here, and adds the right colors behind Masters.
“Brand X” is more Masters funk, and more Masters electric edge wailing over the rock-solid rhythm. Wilkinson follows this with another solo, somewhat smoother than Masters'. This provides a nice contrast. Once again, the Masters funk line is followed by a soulful classic by another Herbie, which is Mann, and “Memphis Underground.” Cal Green's rhythm guitar fits this groove like a glove.
“All Blues” is also taken with the Pete Cole backbeat. “Autumn Leaves” features Debra Moreno-Lowther's expressive vocals over Masters' chords for two choruses. Masters follows with a half chorus before Moreno-Lowther returns for the bridge and close.
The finale “Stella” is solo Masters at medium tempo.
This is a well-rounded collection that has Andy Masters in a variety of enjoyable settings. The contributions of Wayne Hawkins and Todd Wilkinson will only add to the interest of this CD.
-- Roger Atkinson
© Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2004. All rights reserved.
Read more...
author: ekconline
Kansas City native and musician Andy Masters left KC (some surprise, uh) in the early ‘90s for LA. His first CD, Trek, had its beginning there. Some ten years later the project was finally put to plastic.
Trek is a very good listen, a creation Masters described in an email as one from “a bebop player who has been injected with large doses of R&B and funk.” True, as the first track “Trek” lays out the sounds with Kenny Hudson’s slap bass lines and Pete Cole’s drumming. But Masters left out the rock guitarist part, which pops up frequently on the disc.
The next track, “Cantaloupe Island,” (credited to Herbie Hancock) is a real delight. Though it smacks of being a total studio creation, with adroit mixing and experienced production talents, the piece moves across a big musical landscape. Cal Green Jr. accents quite nicely on rhythm guitar, especially when Wayne Hawkins takes the lead on the keyboard. And Todd Wilkinson on sax manages to move outside the funk rhythms without getting away from the beat. This cut alone makes it worth picking up Trek.
“Footprints” showcases Masters’ jazz chops. It’s a stripped down, straight-ahead sound that frees up Hawkins on piano to have some fun. Another reason to get this CD. For a genuine funk sound, it’s “Memphis Underground,” with some tasty exchanges between Masters on guitar and Hudson on bass. Masters’ rock guitar playing comes across on “All Blues,” balanced nicely with Hudson’s bass. Hawkins gives the piece its blues tinge on keyboards.
The last two cuts on the disc, “Autumn Leaves” and “Stella By Starlight” should have been left to another CD, something Masters says he’s working on.
It’s good to have this talented guy back in KC. —Bruce Rodgers (Posted 7/23/04)
Read more...
andy masters --- " Trek".
author: dave kirkpatrick
Being from the UK, I had never heard of Andy Masters before, but my attention to him was alerted via a Blade guitars website, which I use as well as him. This is one hot album! The main facet is the variety of material, which he has nailed right across the range. I have had it on constantly. And his bass player has a tone to die for!
Read more...