Steve Reid is the legendary drummer who has played with all the big names over his some 40 year career. I could be all day listing artists, so I’ll let you do the search through history. Over the last few years Soul Jazz Records have reissued Reid’s excellent albums ‘Nova’ and ‘Rhythmatism’. Kieran Hebden aka Fourtet hooked up with Reid for some heavyweight live shows and then embarked on two new projects with him. The first was the Steve Reid Ensemble’s ‘Spirit Walk’ which was released again on Soul Jazz in 2005 and has already been reviewed here by Andy Allen. The second is the Exchange Sessions, which mixes experimental electronics within Reid’s musical heritage. Volume One is only made up of three tracks: the first track is around seven minutes and the other two are around fifteen minutes each, and the latter two give them chance to spread their wings a little. As with all of Four Tet’s previous work, give it time and all will become clear. Volume 2 will be released later in 2006.

Simon Harrison

Since 1998 Moonstarr has been pushing all things broken out in Toronto, Canada. More and more djs spotted this talent and he’s been a favourite with all the big names ever since. Here are some of Moonstarr’s best re-works and a few you may not have heard before. Re-works to take note of are Povo’s ‘Uam Uam’, Recloose’s ‘Processional’, Jazzanova’s ‘Another New Day’ and Greed’s remix of Moonstarr, which is one I certainly missed. Moonstarr certainly has his own sound and style and it would be a shame for you to miss out on this fine selection.

Simon Harrison

This is the debut album from Latin percussionist Luisito Quintero, which brings a mix of Afrobeat, Bossa Nova and Latin Jazz to the table. Quintero was apart of Louie Vega’s Elements in Life project, which may explain why his name is mentioned in the title, apart from maybe to sell a few more units. Quintero was born in Venezuela and, with help from his father, gained recognition in his early teens. This may be his debut but he’s worked on countless projects including India’s two albums, and with artists like Tito Puente, Ray Barreto to Gloria Estefan. Guest artists include Hilton Ruiz, Brian Lynch, Nestor Torres, Milton Cardona, Jose Mangual and Blaze, which work great with the heavy percussion and Latin influences. "Gbagada, Gbagada, Gbogodo, Gbogodo", "M’ Bongi" and "Love Remains The Same" are worthy of your attention but these are only the tip of the iceberg for this excellent album. BBE have timed this release perfectly, just in time for summer.

Simon Harrison

Jazztronik is certainly making sure we spend lots of cash – especially those outside of Japan – with another two cd release. As I’m sure you guessed by the title, it’s time for the remixers to have their way with the tracks from albums Cannibal Rock and En:Code. Both cds are jampacked with all the big name producers/remixers with their new interpretations. On the first few listens I am leaning towards Part II with essential re-works from Domu, Two Banks of Four, Needs, Louie Vega, DJ Mitsu, 2000 Black and that’s only half of them. The first cd is certainly worth a listen even just for the wonderful Sleepwalker remix of "Pathways" and Osunlade’s remix seems to be causing quite a stir with select djs. OK it’s expensive but worth every penny.

Simon Harrison

Here we have the first collaboration between Roger Eno and Will Thomas aka Plumbline, both of whom have released projects on All Saints and Hydrogen Dukebox. This is a beautiful cinematic album with a whole host of influences, which literally include sounds from clocks, cars and church bells, the kind of thing you would expect from Matthew Herbert. In fact the first track “Transparency” could easily be the work of Herbert himself. The recording “Transparencies” began with joining the dots of various churches and buildings among the beautiful landscape of East Anglia. Things then moved to New York to be manipulated by Will, which gives the album the gritty rhythms, melodies and soft tones. Lovely stuff.

Simon Harrison

I’ve been holding back buying this album for a few months hoping that vinyl copies might appear but in the end I just couldn’t wait any longer. Nicole Willis has been on the scene for years but I still get the impression that she still hasn’t received the attention she fully deserves. Not many people can say they’ve worked with Brand New Heavies and Curtis Mayfield and that they were one of the original members of Dee-Lite or recorded for the legendary Mo’ Wax. As I’m sure you’ve guessed, this time Nicole teams up with Finland’s funk band The Soul Investigators, who have built their own reputation over the years. The final result is a wonderful 70’s funk mash-up that could easily fool any music purist into believing this was recorded back in the day.

Simon Harrison

It’s been around five years since Grupo X broke through with their debut album "X-Posure" and it’s great to have them back, even though they’ve never really been away, with an extensive live schedule. "Food For Your Latin Soul" continues where they left off, with a mix of Salsa, Bugalu, Latin, Brasilia and Jazz. All eleven songs have been written by bandleader Jonny Enright and Jimmy Le Messurier, and once again on lead vocals we have Lisa Millett, who’s caused quite a stir on the house scene, but the six tracks she features on here are much better suited to her vocals. Five years is a long time in the music industry but it’s been well worth the wait.

Simon Harrison

Most people will be interested in this compilation because it features Carl Craig’s excellent remix of Theo Parrish’s ‘Falling Up’, which featured on a limited 10", and has been seen going for silly money on Ebay and played by just about every DJ across the land. This isn’t just about one track because this is a damn fine compilation, with ten more quality remixes, six of which were unreleased until now. Twiddling the knobs are Amp Dog Knight, Marcellus ‘3 chairs’ Pittman, Gilbr and Beatdown Brothers, to name a few. In fact just about every Detroit producer is on here. A mix cd will also follow shortly compiled and mixed by Norm Talley. Third Ear looks after its punters.

Simon Harrison

Here’s the next instalment to ?uestlove’s compilation for BBE, and as the title suggests, it is no surprise this was released on 14th Feb. He again digs back with more classics from Al Green, Delfonics, Natalie Cole, Delfonics and Bobby Womack. If you’re after romantic lyrics for Valentine’s Day, then you’d better give this a miss today, but what it does is give you is a small insight in to the good old days of real soul music, and lyrics which a number of current bands could take some pointers from. BEE never fails to impress.

Simon Harrison

I believe this will be the last release on this excellent and constant label, and what a way to finish its reign of everything soulful. Here is a mix of unreleased and essential tracks from the back catalogue. Of course Break Reform appears, but here are the essential remixes by Domu, Unknown Quality and Yam Who? Nanar sounds so, so good on unreleased tracks with Low Budget Soul, Kamara and the classic, but rare, Aztec Productions. Other tracks worth mentioning are Low Budget Soul featuring Marcia Escoffery and the Break Reform remix of Alison Evelyn’s ‘Found A New Thing’. This may be the end of Abstract Blue, but Simon S and collective will be back with new label Futuristica very soon: roll on 2006.

Simon Harrison