Sheila Landis is a name I’ve heard of before but for some unknown reason, I’ve looked through my record collection and found nothing by her. I remember asking people about the tracks played and writing them down but never followed up. Thankfully Counterpoint have jogged my memory and compiled twelve excellent tracks which will blow you away. Compiled from her album back catalogue (1981-2002), which was released on her self financed Shelan Records. Sheila’s voice is a true joy to listen to and will certainly put a smile on your face. Essential tracks are “Leigh Anns Dance”, “Nightwalking”, “Gershwins Summertime” and “Summertime”. If Lanis’ name is new to you or if you have some of these tracks missing from your collection, this is a must.

Simon Harrison

In the current climate in the music industry there is a lot of uncertainty with independants. So it’s always great to see people start new labels and continue to push quality music. Basement Soul is a club night based in Brighton and this is their debut but it’s as though they’ve been at it for years. Exclusives from Jneiro Jarel, Soulphiction, Yellowtail and Max Cole aka Moxo Tengu. It’s also fantastic to see Vaceo’s “Cos You’re Here” and Masoul’s “Knowledge” with Ursula Rucker finally get a release. This is one Friday night session I need to visit.

Simon Harrison

I always try to be open minded with all the music I receive but it’s only human nature to always try to guess what to expect. In my mind I had the Raw Artistic Soul album sorted in my head but I was so wrong. I was expecting an album of house and garage but the quality just blew my socks off and can easliy be compared with some of the best house producers around at the moment. Phil Kullmann aka Raw Artistic Soul doesn’t just go down the 4/4 route, there’s soul, jazz, afrobeat and disco in there to keep everyone happy. “The Light” with Ursula Rucker grabbed my attention on first play and it’s the best track I’ve heard Rucker feature for quite sometime. “Pa La Loma” and “Abanico” which add beautiful latin influences and will be of interest to fans of Nu Yorican soul fans. This is what house music is all about.

Simon Harrison

Anthony Joseph was a new name to me but he’s been on the scene for a number of years. Joseph is an author of two poetry collection cds and also has just released the novel “The African Origins of UFOs”. Lyrically this is an intense album which requires your full attention. Daydream for a second and you’ll be lost, then you’re back to the rewind button, to start again. Driving in whilst listening to this became rather fun and games because I must have listened to this four times over. The jazz soundtrack by The Spasm Band is just perfect, with a real feel of the 70s and Strata-East or Impulse classics, to ensure this is essential for your collection.

Simon Harrison

As we wait in anticipation for Tenor’s next album “Joystone” and it was a pleasure to finally hear the live experience. Recorded back in 2004 at Berlin’s Club Maria this is truly something special but I’m a little unsure why it’s taken so long for this to be released but it’s here now and that’s the main thing. You may well have heard about his onstage antics involving riding the white horse on stage or giving all the members of his band vintage champane, which adds to his persona and cult status in modern music. The press notes say that Tenor is a perfectionist and judging by these nine tracks all his hard work has definitely paid off. After listening to this live set only a few times, I really need to see Jimi Tenor live soon!

Simon Harrison

Things have certainly changed with the internet and swapping music is affecting the music industry in many way, but on this occasion it worked for me. A friend sent me a few of the early releases on Flogsta Danshall, a name which meant nothing to me at the time but once I’d heard them, I was straight on the web hunting down copies of all their 7″ releases: five in total. The quality continues with this compilation with some of the funkiest, dirtiest beats you’ll here with year, with plenty of nostalgic Commodore 64 samples to keep the beat diggers and retro fanatics happy. I’d be very impressed if you’ve heard of any of the artists featured and it seems like most of the artists are based in Scandinavia, but I’m struggling to get more information. Of course it makes no difference where these tracks are made because they all just need to be played.

Simon Harrison

The third installment is here and boy you should be getting excited. I’ve been thinking for a few weeks about what to say on “Ma Fleur” and I cannot come up with a better description than that when I met up with Simon S from Futuristica Music and was chatting to him about this album:The first time you hear “To Build A Home” it makes you wonder if you’ve just turned on Cold Play but in reality this is just simply beautiful music with wonderful vocals from Patrick Watson. We have more of those stunning arrangements and the added extra of another pairing with Fontella Bass. It was sad to read in the press notes that Fontella is ill but if you need your spirits lifting, just play the amazing “Breathe” and “Familiar Ground”. There is a chance that a specially commissioned screenplay for a film might be made to accompany this release and I so hope Swincoe gets the chance to fully complete this project. Like both previous albums, just buy!

Simon Harrison

Volume One was full of real quality but the problem for me was that I had bought most of the tracks on there. Volume Two is somewhat different: yes there are a few tracks that I have, but if you don’t they are essential, like tracks by Marcina Arnold, Nicola Kramer and Grand Union. The other thirteen artists were mostly unknown to me until recently and myspace has been great getting more information. It’s so good to see the excellent “Tea Leaf Dancers” by Flying Lotus with beautiful vocals by Andreya Triana finally see the light of day because it’s been on most peoples’ wants list for months. You also need to hear tracks by Boomclap Bachelors, Matsi, Middlewood Sessions, Sarah Ann Webb and Daisuke Tanabe’s remix of Elan Mehler. Truly essential.

Simon Harrison

In 2003 Dilla’s “Ruff Draft” was released and I remember a lot of the hiphop heads, beat makes and shop assistants getting rather excited over the delivery of this EP. As it was only released on vinyl, it didn’t seem to get the mass attention that everyone expected and of course deserved. I’m certain all the people who picked it up at the release will be informing all their friends that they bought the first pressing but of course that’s common with all record collectors. Thankfully Stones Throw have given us a second chance, rather than bid for the high prices of the original on Ebay. There are a few added extras included in the “Deluxe” version and one cover version you may not expect: Slade “Come Feel The Noise” but of course in Dilla’s inevitable style. His legacy continues to inspire, educate and entertain.

Simon Harrison

Rob Mac and Matt Smooth are back and showing no end to their talents, after their excellent Gum Drop and Speeka projects. The track you’ve probably heard of here is their funk re-working of The Strokes “Last Nite”: I was rather surprised that I knew the track and when playing out, it’s certainly a crowd pleaser. What made this album really special for me was vocalist Norman Anderson, who just blew me away. It seems whatever style Rob and Matt throw at him, Norman’s wonderful voice excels on every tune. To top it off, just like the Gum Drop album, they’ve brought in violinist Lucy Wilkins to add to the beautiful arrangements. A must!!

Simon Harrison