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

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

This is one I’ve been really looking forward to after hearing the snips on the Twisted Funk label website, and boy does it deliver. Marc Mac compiles the finest selection of the best broken beats you’ll hear in 2007, produced by some of the biggest players in the bruk scene. Yes they’re just about all here: Somatik, Cyberworks, Mark Force, Jonny Miller, Seiji, Hopper, Nu Era, Dr Stepper, Sonar Circle aka Domu and of course two tracks from Marc Mac. If you need any more convincing, I give up.

Simon Harrison

I’m not sure if it was the sad loss of J Dilla aka Jay Dee (R.I.P) in 2006 that sparked a new interest in beats but over the last few months we’ve seen quality albums from the likes Flying Lotus, Dr. Who Dat aka Jnerio Jarel, Hudson Mohawke and many more, with of course re-issues and new releases of Dilla material. Super Smoky Soul take the gauntlet and produce twenty heavy weight beats, that have had many beat junkies drooling. I don’t know much about these guys but once you get your ears around the likes of “After Smoke”, “Every”, “Simply”, “Smile” or “Classius Clay”, just to name a few, you’ll be hooked. The vinyl sampler will be in limited quantites, so be warned.

Simon Harrison

When I read in the press release that Lanu is a member of The Bamboos I was expecting an album with killer funk anthems but I couldn’t have been further from reality. What we have here is some of the best house, broken beats and soul, that could be easliy be mistaken for some of the top producers in those genres. It just goes to prove it makes no difference what your background is: if you’re good you can do anything and Lanu does it with brilliance. You must check out the amazing Simon Grey featuring on keys on “Rise” and Cherie Mathieson on vocals “Runaway”. This album is certain to cause a frenzy in many scenes over 2007: don’t miss out.

Simon Harrison

Bryn Griffiths is the producer behind Unity Gain Theory with partner in crime Wayne Lotek, who you may remember for his work with Roots Manuva. Of course the production is exactly what you would expect from these guys: top quality and a great selection of styles around hip-hop and down-tempo beats. My favourite tracks feature Sophie Faricy on vocals, whether it’s the lovely spoken word “Careless Talk”, “Careless” or the duo with Juice Aleem on “Grown Up”. Other vocalists include Allonymous, HKB Finn and Lyric L. whose tracks grow on you with every play. The instrumental tracks and snips make this the complete package.

Simon Harrison

We’re only one month into 2007 and Nostalgia 77 aka Benedic Lamdin is out of the blocks with another excellent album under his belt. While some of us are still enjoying his albums from 2006, Benedic is going full steam ahead with his next idea and constantly pushing himself with new challenges. So much so “Everything Under The Sun” features wonderful vocals from Lizzy Parks and Beth Rowley, who both bring a charm and sophistication to what can be only described simply as Jazz. I can’t highlight any of of the nine tracks because they are all beautiful and you must listen to every track in its own right. This is the perfect way to start 2007!

Simon Harrison

Most of us should have seen this coming: Sonar Kollektiv have released three volumes of the ace Secret Love compilations, so it makes sense that Sascha Gottschalk and Axel Reinemer aka Extended Spirit and two members of the Jazzanova collective produce a folk style album. Even though I say folk, the productions are not a million miles away from last year’s brilliant Beauty Room album, which was also influenced by Steely Dan, rather than the fashionable folk doing the rounds at the moment. As with all Jazzanova productions, they are polished, with beautiful arrangements and lyrics. It’s not all about Gottschalk and Reinemer because Thief’s voice is something to savour and sit back and enjoy over and over again. Beautiful.

Simon Harrison

Ninja Tune have been very busy of late but it’s one label over the years that constantly stick to what they are good at and that’s releasing quality music. OK not everything maybe your thing but if you give your attention, everything is nothing short of excellent. Amon Tobin is one such artist who may not sell albums by the truckload but he does make good quality and well produced music. Not many labels would have the balls to release this album but that’s one of the things Ninja does well. I’ve been struggling to put pen to paper and describe “The Foley Room” but it’s somewhere between Dimlite, Matthew Herbert and The Cinematic Orchestra. If the thought of that has you slavering at the mouth, you will thoroughly enjoy this ace soundtrack. There may be sections where you scratch your head but keep going because it’ll all make sense once you reach the final track.

Simon Harrison

BBE have been digging through the vaults of un-released tracks and remixes to come up with volume two of the Twelve Inches of Pleasure series. Well over a year ago I was given a copy of the excellent Shur-I-Kan Remix of D’Nell’s “1st Magic” and I’m pleased inform everyone who has asked me about it, yes it’s on here. The majority of the tracks featured are remixes of Roy Ayers and if you missed out on Osunlade’s Remix of Searching, that is a must. Phil Asher’s remix of “Liquid Love” is nothing short of brilliant but he’s never put a foot wrong in the years I’ve been buying his music. Make sure you also take note of Aaron Jerome’s mix of “I Am Your Mind”, Yam Who’s remix of Ski Oakenfull’s “Heavenly” plus a new track from Ski Oakenfull “New Orleans Under Attack”. I think you’ll agree, an essential compilation.

Simon Harrison