Press Release
Source: Press Junkie PR
Andy Bassford with Mikey Chung – Photo courtesy of Press Junkie, LLC
Atlanta based producer, Matt Mansfield, aka Piper Street Sound has created a collaborative EP of instrumental Reggae music with legendary Reggae guitarist, Andy Bassford, (Toots and the Maytals, Dennis Brown, Horace Andy, Culture, Roots Radics).
Black Eyed Peace follows 2020’s Small Plate/Rid Them EP, but puts a focus on guitar melodies masterfully executed by maestro Bassford.
The songs still bear Piper Street’s customary horn heavy and dub infused style, but move into some new territory; elements of Rocksteady abound, major keys now bounce alongside their minor key brethren, Yaya Brown’s akete drumming prods and propels the rhythms carved by the ultra-tight drumming of Brian Daggett and the bass of Mansfield, Chris Case’s keyboard mastery blazes alongside the horns of Will Scruggs, Jonathan Lloyd and Dashill Smith.
Black Eyed Peace is a collaborative affair pieced together gradually over the course of the pandemic, the horn sessions miraculously took place the week before everything shut down, and all other elements were recorded in home studios and electronically gathered by Matt, who acted as track-herd and trail guide, scouting ahead, blazing a path while shooting fearful glances behind at the specter of disease and death that shadowed the procession through the forest of fear.
Piper Street Sound found a sacred glade, a clearing in the forest with room for hope, and got to work building a fire with his fellows, over which to craft this musical brew, heavily dosed with dub-wise analog effects, shimmering and splashing spring reverbs, rich and hearty tape delays, the guitar mastery of a musical hero floats atop as frothy foam, and love for humanity is the base malt. Here it is. Won’t you take a sip?
Andy Bassford Fact Sheet
Connecticut-born guitarist Andy Bassford has recorded and performed with nearly every important artist in reggae since his debut in 1977 on Horace Andy’s “In The Light.” He has played on thousands of recordings, including three Grammy winning albums in the reggae category out of nine nominated. The most recent of these was 2018’s Sting & Shaggy album, 44/876. Other notable achievements in 2019 have been his performances on the #1 Jazz Radio Chart album by Monty Alexander, “Warieka Hill/RastaMonk Vibrations,” and a U.K. #1 dance single by Jennifer Holliday, “Baby Tonight.”
Moving to Jamaica in 1980, Andy began doing sessions at Channel One with Roots Radics. He then joined Jamaica’s top backing band, Lloyd Parks and We The People. During this period, Andy recorded and played with just about everybody, including eight years with the Crown Prince of Reggae, Dennis Brown.
Returning to the U.S., Andy then joined the legendary Toots and the Maytals in 1988, staying for over two decades. He also played on Toots’ 2005 Grammy winning True Love album, along with Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, and Trey Anastasio.
In 2003 Andy received an award from the Jamaica Federation of Musicians for his contributions to the Jamaican music industry.
Outside of reggae, Andy has recorded with Rihanna, Natalie Merchant, Jennifer Holliday, Rolling Stones saxist Bobby Keys, and jazz trumpeter Graham Haynes.
As a sideman, Andy currently tours the world as a member of Jamaican jazz master Monty Alexander’s Harlem-Kingston Express. He also plays Jamaican venues around New York City with bass legend Derrick Barnett’s Statement Band and maintains a busy freelance gig and session schedule with a variety of other artists and bands.
