Mastermind -

Mastermind was an American 10-piece soul-funk band from N.Y.C. that released a 1977 self-titled album on Prelude, followed by a pair of 1981 singles on Half Moon.

Members: Anselm Scrubb (vocals, trumpet), Mario Ford (saxophone), Guy Fuertes (saxophone), Lenny White (saxophone), Joe Frye (vocals, guitar), Geoffrey Williams (vocals, keyboard), Carl Bain (bass), Brian Wilson (drums), Wendell Derrick (vocals, percussion), Juan Clouden (percussion)

Profile

Mastermind surfaced in New York City as a 10-piece soul-funk band with trumpeter Anselm Scrubb, a calypso/soca player with credits in Hugh Hendriks and The Buccaneers and the Caribbean recording circuit around Alston “Beckett” Cyrus.

Mastermind

Mastermind released their self-titled debut album in 1977 on Prelude Records.

The ten-piece band features trumpeter Anselm Scrubb, guitarist Joe Frye, keyboardist Geoffrey Williams, bassist Carl Bain, drummer Brian Wilson, percussionists Wendell Derrick and Juan Clouden, and saxophonists Mario Ford, Guy Fuertes, and Lenny White. The first five share vocals. Guest players include saxophonist David Sanborn, trumpeter Jon Faddis, reedist Seldon Powell, guitarist Steve Khan, and keyboardist Mike Mandel.

“I Am Music” snaps around a central break and short title refrain. “Hustle Bus Stop” barrels through tight brass punctuation and title-call replies. “Free and Wild” charges through bright ensemble accents pressed close to the lead vocal. “Mother Nature” kicks against thicker brass-and-strings figures and a forceful backbeat. “Runnin’ Away From Love” de-pressurizes with a softer lead and a gentler refrain.

A1. “I Am Music” (3:53) – Bain, Williams, Tyrene Croft
A2. “Hustle Bus Stop” (4:41) – Williams, Frye
A3. “Free and Wild” (5:24) – Williams, Frye, Croft, Anthony Spencer
A4. “Disco Party in the Street” (4:12) – Chris Hills, Laurell Dann

B1. “Mother Nature” (5:24) – Wilson, Frye
B2. “Runnin’ Away From Love” (4:09) – Wilson, Williams
B3. “Mastermind” (6:04) – Hills

Sessions occurred at Vanguard Studios with Players Association participant Danny Weiss, and earlier soundman for Novak and Larry Coryell and subsequent producer for Karl Ratzer and Bob Mover.

Prelude lifted “Hustle Bus Stop” as a 1977 single (b/w “Runnin’ Away From Love”).

Postlude

Mastermind surfaced in 1981 with three vocal/dub singles: “Uncle Slam Wants You,” “Happy Music,” and “You Decorated My Life,” issued respectively on Rondelet, Half Moon, and Mastermind Records.

Discography: