Coals to Newcastle: The New Mastersounds From Leeds to New Orleans is a 2010 music documentary that follows the journey of the British funk and soul band, The New Mastersounds. Interweaving elements of music, travel, and culture, the film pays homage to the vibrant power of music to bridge geographical, cultural, and social divides. Marty McNamara’s directorial venture stars Eddie Roberts, Simon Allen, and Peter Shand – the core members of the celebrated band – and explores how their love for authentic soul music has left an undeniable impression on the global music scene, particularly within their home country, the United Kingdom, and in the deep musical heart of the USA, New Orleans.

The documentary, rich in musicality and cultural exploration, chronicles the band’s historic first trip to the music-laden city of New Orleans, Louisiana. The band members – Eddie Roberts on the guitar, Simon Allen on the drums, and Peter Shand on the bass – are shown navigating an entirely different musical landscape, their initial awe of the city’s rich music history gradually transforming into the excitement of being allowed to contribute to that lineage. Their journey to the birthplace of jazz and blues, in many ways, is depicted as a reverential pilgrimage, an acknowledgment of the roots that have nourished the sounds they have come to embrace and perfect.

Coals to Newcastle does not merely present the New Mastersounds' journey as a physical or musical journey. It is as much a journey into their influences, their inspirations, and their aspirations as musicians who have persistently strived to explore, embody, and adapt the culturally rich and diverse genres of funk and soul. The director’s choice to film in an immersive, fly-on-the-wall style allows the viewers an intimate look at the musicians' creative process and their encounters with local music legends, providing a nuanced, multi-dimensional perspective of their New Orleans experience.

Throughout the film, viewers are treated to a myriad of live performance footage of The New Mastersounds, showcasing the band's dynamism, rhythm, and seamless synchrony, as well as their ability to draw from and give back to the genres they are so influenced by. The raw, unfiltered, and energetic performances captivate and invigorate, the music’s pulsating heartbeat connecting directly with the audience's soul, regardless of where they are or where they come from.

By highlighting the band members' own interactions with the local musicians and their collective experiences with the roots of funk and soul in New Orleans, the documentary reflects the larger symbiotic relationship that exists across the global musical landscape. The narrative thread of The New Mastersounds, English musicians playing American genres, traveling to the epicenter of their musical influences, reinforces the idea that music transcends borders, uniting people, communities, and cultures in a universal language of rhythm and harmony.

The film’s title, Coals to Newcastle, echoes the idea that The New Mastersounds are undertaking a seemingly redundant act – bringing their British-infused funk and soul music back to the genres' birthplace, similar to carrying coals to Newcastle, a city historically known for its coal production. But the title's irony quickly dissipates with the realization that the band is not just replicating or reiterating previously established traditions of soul and funk music. Instead, they are adding their own distinct flavor, presenting their unique take on these celebrated genres to audiences both in New Orleans and globally, fostering growth and expansion within the musical genres they deeply respect and admire.

Coals to Newcastle: The New Mastersounds From Leeds to New Orleans, at its core, is an exploration and celebration of the power of music to connect, inspire, and influence, captured through the lens of a band’s personal and musical journey. It asserts that music, organic and transcendent, knows no borders, pays respect to its roots, and ceaselessly evolves, offering an inclusive platform for collective preservation, interpretation, and innovation. It’s a must-watch for music lovers, supporters of The New Mastersounds, and anyone who appreciates the entrancing amalgamation of different cultures through the medium of soulful sound and rhythm.