‘Something New’ is Double Beat’s follow up to ‘International Funk Music’ (Big Sur 2004). Stefano Ghittoni (manager of Big Sur Recordings) and Marco Rigamonti are both DJ/producers who together have produced a hybrid sound of funk and nu-jazz built around 4×4 house beats. For me the set lacks the vital ingredients to give it longevity but ‘Profondo’ and particularly ‘Beat It’ with its African vocal snippets would certainly work in a club environment.

Andy Allen

Watch TV (Ruben Garcia) and his band The Primetimes combine programmed beats and samples with live elements to create a set of mainly dance-floor orientated nu-funk grooves. Although this isn’t a bad album, as with the Double Beat set, it lacks those classic elements. For the younger crowd though like those who frequent The Hi-fi Club (Leeds) I’m sure it will win favour.

Andy Allen

Secret Stealth are Nottingham’s Bob Sadler and Jim Baron and the oddly titled ‘Mince & Onions’ is the follow up to the duo’s 2005 debut ‘Ssshhh’. With element of disco, boogie, electro and house all thrown into the mix this should appeal to fans of the Baron’s other project Crazy P. The soulful cuts ‘Drive Me Crazy’ and ‘Hooked On You’, both of which feature Holly Brackler on vocals are the standouts for me along with ‘Free’ a gorgeous string laced arrangement reminiscent of 4hero.

Andy Allen

The ‘Shapes’ compilation series continues into 2007 and as with past editions it showcases previously released material from the Tru Thoughts label, along with forthcoming cuts and exclusive bits. It kicks off with Boub’s reggae re-rub of Alice Russell’s ‘Hurry On Now’ before moving through to the killer nu-soul steppers, ‘Good Things’ by Spengler, one of the exclusives, and ‘Pushing On’ from Freddie Kruger featuring Linn. Nostalgia 77’s ‘Wildflower’ is also included along with Lanu’s ‘Dis-information’, Diesler’s ‘Into The Woods’ featuring Carla Alexandar, an infectious digital bossa groove from his forthcoming third album and Ze Zam’s tech-samba excursion ‘Me & You’. With tracks of this standard and for less than a fiver this album is an absolute must.

Andy Allen

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

The next Solid Steel mix cd goes back to the guys who started the series back in 2001 and by now you should know what to expect from DJ Food and DK. As with the infamous radio show, you never quite know what these guys are gonna throw in the mix and it’s just about all here, with some re-works exclusive to this mix. There’s the drum and bass remix of Roots Manuva, a dub mix of New Order’s “Blue Monday”, New Flesh’s 2-step grime and a northern soul version of “Purple Haze”, plus The Human League, Eric B and Rakim, Bomb The Bass, Aphex Twin through to the theme tune of “Are you Being Served”. With a total of thirty two tracks over the sixty five minute mix, you’re in for a rollercoaster ride.

Simon Harrison

One of the great joys of collecting records is getting time to sift through piles of records in places you’ve never been before. Far too often I’ve spent time planning what record shops are in a city, well before working out what sights and places to visit. Romania isn’t one place I would have thought of for hunting jazz but Stephan Steigleder and members of Jazzanova have beaten us to it and found some true gems. The ten tracks here are the kind of music people would pay hundreds of pounds for, even though I’ve heard of none of the artists featured. This is certainly the start of something really interesting and I hope we all get chance to find out more about these artists and maybe even see a re-release of the full albums over time.

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

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