At first glance you could be mistaken for thinking this was a funky house compilation but don’t be put off by the ‘fashionable’ pretty couple on the cover because this CD includes some of the best broken-soul cuts of recent times. It kicks off in fine style with Mark De Clive-Lowe’s ‘Heaven’ featuring Bembe Segue before moving into the killer Math Union Remix of ‘Juice’ from Season featuring Ernesto, the Brooklyn Remix of ‘Brothers On The Slide’ by Patchworks Ginger X Press and Champion Soul’s ‘Holdin’ On’ (Spymusic Remix). Other worthy inclusions are ‘Disney’ from Channel Two featuring Kim Hill and DJ Spinna’s Vocal Mix of Roy Ayers’ ‘Holiday’ but my favourites are ‘Be The One’ by L’Aroye featuring Humphrey, the U-Key Disco Mix of Doob’s ‘Princess’ and ‘You Say’ by Moodorama, which are all new to me. So the moral of the story is never judge a book by its cover!

Andy Allen

Malena Perez comes with a strong album of deep Latin house, which will appeal to lovers of Osunlade, who incidentally handles some of the production along with Alix Alvarez and Carlos Nino (Build An Ark). It features the singles ‘Free To Fly’, ‘Chase The Butterflies’ with both the original and Kenny Dope remix present here and ‘Praise The Day’. The down-tempo groove of ‘Surrender’ and the breezy ‘Tomorrow’ are also deserving of your attention but the real standouts are ‘Confession’, an infectious flute and organ laced piece and the 4 Hero influenced ‘What Do I Do’.

Andy Allen

This debut release from People Tree Records, appropriately entitled ‘Welcome To The People Tree’ focuses on folk flavours from the past to the present. Over fifteen tracks we’re treated to tripped out delights such as Linda Perhacs’ ‘Paper Mountain Man’, John Martyn’s ‘Glory Box’, ‘Swallow’ from Circulus and a version of the evergreen ‘Corn Riggs’ by Marked & Joff. Joy Jones contributes ‘Troubles (Cure Me)’ but the real standouts are ‘Pure English Honey’ by former Mother Earth front man Matt Deighton, the poetic ‘Where The River Bends’ from Cry Earth and the outstanding jazz-folk sound of Grand Union’s ‘Morning Brings The Light’.

Andy Allen

Arision again dig deep to bring us a welcome re-issue of Gruppo Jazz Marca"s Italian rarity "Mitteleuropa". Here pianist Roberto Magris extends his usual trio to accommodate a horn section giving the compositions a much fuller sound than that found on their "Comunicazone Sonora" album (also re-issued on Arision), which is most effective on the immaculate "Dedalus".

Andy Allen

Already off to a flying start with the likes of Ben Westbeach and a UK issue of Soil & Pimp Sessions, Gilles Peterson and Simon Goffe’s new Brownswood label now unleashes the outstanding debut from The Heritage Orchestra. The forty plus collective in collaboration with Chris Bowden present a selection of beautifully crafted cinematic jazz-funk arrangements. From the set’s opener ‘Mothers And Daughters Now Mothers’, a nine minute epic, you know you’re in for a treat. The drama continues with breathtaking moments such as ‘Sky Breaks’ featuring vocalist Liz Swain and ‘Tell Me Stories’ with Natalie Williams on lead but this is an album that really needs to be savoured in its entirety.

Andy Allen

After much anticipation Amp Fiddler’s sophomore set is finally with us. ‘Right Where You Are’, ‘Faith’ and ‘Dope’ from the limited edition 10"s are all included on the vinyl but unfortunately the latter is omitted from the CD version. On first listen it’s these tracks that standout but by the second play it becomes apparent there are more gems contained within. ‘Ridin”, an uplifting Philly disco influenced track is certainly one of the highlights for me along with the old school stepper ‘Heaven’ featuring Stephanie McKay and ‘Hustle’ a stunning sensual Marvin-esque piece with strings provided by Larry Gold.

Andy Allen

Following a number of impressive 12s for Sonar Kollektiv and Still Music Enrico Crivellaro aka Isoul8 delivers a full album of deep house delights. The tracks from the 12s, ‘Give It Up’ featuring Valerie Etienne, ‘Speak Your Word’ with Rasiyah & Osunlade, ‘Free’ featuring Just One and the magnificent Paul Randolph fronted ‘On My Heart’ are all present and correct. Cuts such as ‘How I Feel’ and ‘No Longer Fear’ with Marcus Begg on vocals pay homage to the old school and come complete with drum machine hand-clap effects. ‘Clover’ and ‘So Simple’ again graced by Paul Randolph and Rasiyah respectively both have a real sunshine vibe and feature gentle acoustic guitar touches. Not to be overlooked though is the collaboration with Kaidi Tatham ‘A Silent Force’, an atmospheric track which echoes the sounds of the jungle.

Andy Allen

Ben Lamdin’s latest Nostalgia 77 project has got to be his finest to date. Available on limited edition vinyl only it includes 3 outstanding ethereal jazz works. The title track, a 22 minute epic is a disjointed yet essential listening experience. ‘Well Being 1’ features some serious drum work reminiscent of Art Blakey but the standout has got to be their rendition of Adele Sebastian’s ‘Desert Fairy Princess’, a beautiful example of modality.

Andy Allen

Roy Hargrove returns with a straight-ahead jazz set released at the same time as his more soul and funk orientated project ‘Distractions’ under his RH Factor moniker. Although ‘Distractions’ continues the vibe established on ‘Hard Groove’ it doesn’t quite match the standard of ‘Nothing Serious’. This set opens with the superb title track before moving into ‘A Day In Vienna’, both of which have a strong Latin vibe. ‘Camaraderie’ is a pure bop beauty but not to be overlooked is the heavy groove of ‘Salima’s Dance’ and the beautiful swing of ‘The Gift’. A truly timeless piece deserving of your full attention.

Andy Allen

From Winnipeg, Canada, El Salvador born Luis Francisco Cardona (Solidaze) comes with a down-tempo set of hypnotic electro-soul fused with elements of house and nu jazz. Although mainly instrumental it’s the tracks featuring vocalist Sarah Michaelson that appeal the most, ‘Anti Animosity’ and ‘In The Meantime’. Of the instrumentals try ‘I Too Call Myself I’, ‘Late Night Movement’ and ‘Curve Seven’ for some deep darkness.

Andy Allen