Eddie Roberts, the guitarist for the New Mastersounds and the mastermind behind the innovative label Color Red presents Boots in Place, the second in a series of albums recorded in Iceland. This release puts Roberts in the studio with bassist George Porter, Jr., drummer Nikki Glaspie of the Nth Power and Mike Dillon’s Punkadelick and keyboardist Robert Walter of the Greyboy Allstars along with a number of special guests.

The opener and title cut features vocalist Erica Falls and is a statement of purpose for this supergroup. Roberts’ trademark syncopated chords set the tone as Falls calls out the legendary bassist. “His name is George Porter, Jr., this is what he came to do, boots in place.”

Alto saxophonist Donald Harrison joins the fun on “Mardi Gras Day,” a cut that is bound to become a new Carnival anthem. Falls and Harrison sing as trumpeter Eric “Benny” Bloom, saxophonist Nate Miller and Roberts add crisp ensemble work and solos to the tune.

Several other vocalists also contribute to the album including Lamar Williams, Jr. who has recorded with the New Mastersounds. However, it’s the instrumental tracks that stand out to my ears.

“Mudflap,” the second song on side B—this album is configured for vinyl—showcases Porter, Jr.’s ability to cook with Glaspie and Walter on what is essentially an organ jazz cut. Glaspie’s tom tom work, a standout throughout, is emphatically in your face. Walter is a wizard.

“Black Apple,” another instrumental, shows off the individual strengths of the players while highlighting the power of the group as a whole. With Bloom and Miller as a background horn section, the song pops and then grooves. It’s a sum of everything this aggregation can do, yet for some reason it just ends as if they ran out of tape. I’d love to see them play live so they can stretch out on these wonderful tunes.