Here’s the second instalment from Sweden’s excellent Raw Fusion stable. It’s jam packed with exclusives and tracks that feature on cd for the first time and compiled by label boss Mad Mats. All the big artists and producers from Scandinavian are featured with a range of styles from Hip Hop, House, Jazz, Latin and Nu-Soul, featuring Teddy Rok 7, Red Astaire, Jukka Eskola, Espen Horne, Fertile Ground, Povo and Todd Terje to name a few. Please don’t tell me I need to list any more tracks, what on earth are you waiting for?

Simon Harrison

Those in the know with Japanese artists will know that Kero One has toured with Jazzy Sport and headlined already released tracks on Jazzy Sport and shows for artists such as Dj Mitsu the beats. ‘Windmills Of The Soul’ was also released a few months ago in the Far East and now’s your chance to pick up this beauty for a normal price. This has been mostly produced by the man himself, with some help from his friend DJ King Most. The rhymes are simple and work a treat over the soulful and jazzy beats. Kero One also proves his excellence in production with some essential instrumentals, so make sure you check out tracks ‘It’s A New Day’ and ‘Ain’t That Somethin?’ Kero is also lined up to work with Quantic and DJ Mitsu in 2006 which should gain him some more deserved exposure.

Simon Harrison

Here we have the debut album from Tokyo’s saxophonist Kaz Katuta aka Jafrosax which is produced by Yukihiro Fukutomi and Jazztronik. First thing you should know was that Vikter Duplaix features on “In The Morning” which was released as a single in 2005, with excellent remixes from Orto aka Faze Action and Jazztronik. Also featured are quality Japanese rapper Gaggle and the wonderful Yukimi Nagano who sounds as good as ever on “Drawn 2 You” and “Wait and See”. Katuta has got the right balance between old and new here, and has even dared to re-work Underground Resistance’s classic 2Hi Tech Jazz”. Another fine selection from Pantone.

Simon Harrison

In June 2005 I:Cube played the Star Ball festival at the Planetarium de la Villette in Paris and here is your chance to hear a 55 minute snippet of the I:Cube Playmobil spaceship to enjoy in your own living room. This performance is a mix up of Electronica, Ambient, Dub, Deep House and beautifully structured in such a way that you need to listen to the whole album from start to finish for it to make perfect sense. If you dip and skip you will miss the point and ambiance of this album, so take time out and listen properly.

Simon Harrison

Fedreghini & Bianchi released ‘Several People’ to great acclaim in 2005 and they’ve now revisited the album to create ‘Several Additional Waves’ with new reworks rather than remixes. From the original recording only the vocals have been maintained and everything else has been re-programmed and played again, giving the tracks a more electronic feel. Some of the purists may prefer the original but for me it highlights their talent and proves they are in tune with modern clubs and classic compositions. Go on, buy both versions.

Simon Harrison

I’m certain all the house heads out there have been playing this since it was released in 2004, but it’s one I completely missed and thankfully R2 have given us a second chance to check out this excellent album. With predominantly house based tunes, these tracks are the best you can buy. Lead singer is of course Christian Urich from Cooly’s Hot Box, who sounds as good as ever. Even though most tracks are for clubland, they mix Disco, Jazz and Soul elements which will even appeal to the true Soul boys. This is without doubt the best way to be introduced to Tortured Soul.

Simon Harrison

Originating from Australia, The Bamboo’s have been rocking dancefloors ever since their self-funded 7". They were then signed to Kay-Dee Records, and Tru Thoughts recognised the talent and signed their debut. The sound is not a million miles away from Quantic Soul Orchestra, and on guest vocals is the wonderful Alice Russell on the single ‘Step It Up’ and also on the fantastic funk-fuelled version of Afronaught’s Broken Beat anthem ‘Transcend Me’. Also featured are updated versions of the Kay-Dee releases, so don’t think you’re being fiddled if you already have the singles. Even though Tru Thoughts are currently firing out albums, every single release is of the highest quality.

Simon Harrison

Next project from the Premier Cru stable has more of a commercial feel than previous projects. That is not a bad thing; I just get the idea that if given enough airplay this will easily make it into the charts and on every radio station. There’s the immediate radio anthem ‘Fast Life’ and ‘Snapshots’. Personally my favourites are the soulful ‘Superhero’, "Consequences and ‘Heroin’. For good measure they’ve brought in guests Amp Fiddler and old skool rapper and film star ‘Queen Latifa’. If you’re still not convinced, check out the beautifully packaged gatefold double vinyl.

Simon Harrison

People are finally starting to wake up to Altered Vibes after an excellent selection of releases in 2005. Kicking off 2006 with the debut from Gum Drop proves the perfect way to start the year. Gum Drop is produced by Rob Mac whose previous alias’s include Jumbonics, Speeka and course writer for Straight No Chaser and as you’d expected from a man of with such eclectic taste, there is a mixed bag of styles, beats and grooves. Vocalist Randolph Matthews is yet another name you need to watch out for in 2006, with a number of projects and his debut dropping later in the year. Here he features on three tracks "Coming Up For Air", "(Keeps On) Burning" and "Sinking Feeling". Other guests include Hiphop and P-Funk vocalist Jason Todd, the unknown-to-me-until-now Zena Edwards, and on strings Lucy Wilkins who of course worked with 4 Hero and Massive Attack. Another essential release.

Simon Harrison

Orgatronics is the debut album from producers Sam Bell and Rich Arthurs, who’ve made quite a name for themselves on the Latin Jazz scene with bands such as The New Mastersounds and Saudade. Here they mix electronica with Latin and Flamenco instrumentals to create some really classy and catchy numbers. There is definitely some Zero 7 and Air influences mixed in the pot, which is certainly no bad thing.

Simon Harrison