Fact: Jimpster needs more fingers. Why. You ask? Well, because if he had more fingers then he would be able to put them in more pies. Jimpster aka Jamie Odell, head honcho of freerange records, member of ‘The Bays’ and all round super nice guy has really hit the spot with this longplayer. This is Jimpsters first solo outing in album format on freerange and it doesn’t disappoint in the slightest. Starting off will chilled out beats linked in with some sublime vocals courtesy of Shaye, Capitol A and Elsa Hedburg this really is a summer soundtrack not be overlooked. The tempo doesn’t get much above the deep house mark, but the vibe is perfect. This, along with the superb production means once you hear this album you’ll be wanting more and more. Highly recommended!

Jax

I cannot believe it’s six years since the release of the excellent "To Come", which was a typical example of me purchasing a top dollar Japanese import to see it released a few months later released in Europe for a third of the price: hey, that’s the way it is nowadays. Japanese producer Michiharu Shimoda utilizes the talents of Shawn Lee, Alain Ho and Everton Nelson to create an ace downtempo – electronica – abstract hiphop piece of work. Recorded with a string orchestra conducted by Everton Nelson with haunting vocals from Shawn Lee, this is one album you should take note of. Just because it’s been released in France rather than Japan doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be investigated, so make the effort.

Simon Harrison

2006 has been quite a year for debut albums and here’s another from the home of the Rebirth. This is a fine selection of soul, but some people keep referring to it as R&B and Choklate is way past that (-sorry, the word R&B sends me running for miles). Some of you may have heard the single “Waitin” which features the awesome Chali 2na from Jurassic 5, who has one of those voices that I love, and here works a treat with Choklate’s vocals. There is also the lovely “Getting Is Good” and the rare groove influenced “Bigger Than You”, and my personal favourite “Heavy”. You’d be very silly not to check this out.

Simon Harrison

King Britt has covered most of the musical bases over the years with aliases Sylk 130, Scuba, Oba Funke and Firefly, and now he moves to the dark side- techno. With Carl Craig’s remixes causing a stir around the world at the moment, it’s the perfect time for “Interpretations” to be heard. You get the impression that Britt dug out and listened to all the classic techno tracks, digested the best ideas and then took them into the studio mixing pot to create some beautiful electronica that will keep the heads happy. It’ll be interesting to see what’s next: drum and bass maybe?

Simon Harrison

The first thing that stands out in the tracklistings for this album is that “Get Live” features Erykah Badu. It’s as good as you would expect and the perfect selling point for those who reside behind record counters. The Strange Fruit Project have been missed in the past and judging by both their previous albums there’s just no explanation. They’ve stuck to their guns and kept their effective sample-based beats and basslines. There is only one slight difference to their previous long players in that they have brought in a few guests: these include Little Brother, Bavu Blakes, Darien Brockington, DeLoach and of course the lady of soul mentioned above. I really hope this gets them the attention they thoroughly deserve, but only time will tell.

Simon Harrison

It was well over a year ago that Kirk Degiorgio came to DJ in Leeds and told me about a new project he was working on for Peacefrog which would be in the style of Steely Dan. I’ve been waiting in anticipation ever since and when I received a copy of the brilliant cover of Jan Hammer’s “Don’t You Know” I knew we were going to be in for something special. Kirk’s previous work covers most styles of electronic music and his DJ sets have become legendary. I’m not sure how to describe this style but it’s certainly heavily influenced by Kirk’s soul and jazz history, with beautiful harmonies and strings and stunning vocals by Jinadu, which will blow your mind. Comparisons will be made with Zero 7 but with a backing band of Ian O’Brien on guitar, Chris Witten’s drums and the involvement of The Heritage Orchestra, this has massive mainstream potential and the purists will love it too. So next time you’re watching TV and your mum changes the channel to watch Gardeners’ World, don’t be surprised if you end up singing along to The Beauty Room.

Simon Harrison

Finally, we have the debut album from the man behind Red Astaire who is responsible for many releases on Gamm, Jugglin, Swedish Brandy, and here is yet another alias for Freddie Cruger: 3 Foot People. For a producer who has covered most styles over the last few years, this is basically downbeat with a mix of hip hop, dub reggae, soul and jazz. It’s great to hear more from Linn whose vocals always work a treat with Freddie’s productions. Make sure you hunt down Freddie & Linn “Keep on Playing” which was one of the best tracks from 2004. Great album to compliment Freddie’s label.

Simon Harrison

Yes, The Baker Brothers are back with another fine selection of all things funky. Vocals again are supplied by Vanessa Freeman, who always sounds great with whatever productions are thrown at her. Ensure you give “Winding Rhythm” a listen for proof. On the first few listens, I’m not quite convinced that “Bakers Dozen” is in the same league as their debut “Ten Paces” but there is more than enough quality here to ensure that you give it a listen and add it to your wants list.

Simon Harrison

I bought this album on the strength of hearing one track which we know can be a little risky nowadays but “Way In Jazz” is as good as I was hoping. Things kick off with the well known “Favourite Things” which is, yes, a little obvious but it has to be said it’s a great version. The rest of the tracks are a damn fine selection of Jazz that is not a million miles away from Nicola Conte and Five Corners Quintet, with an amazing array of guest vocalists and the exceptional Nathan Haines on sax and flute plus a top notch horn section featuring Ingrid Laubrock. Here is another ace soundtrack for the summer.

Simon Harrison

A match made in heaven: the superb ‘DJ Kicks’ mix series from K7 teaming up with one of eclecticism’s true masters – Four Tet’s Kieran Hebden. This, believe it or not, is number 26 in the DJ Kicks series and once again fulfil’s the high standards of the previous selections. This 20 track mix album really is full of talent, ‘If I Were Only A Child Again’ by Curtis Mayfield features early on, there is a belter from Madvillain plus the excellent ‘Psychosomatic’ from personal faves Model 500. The mood rounds off with some Cabaret Voltaire and Gong in the mix with hip hop from Group Home and Showbiz & A.G. The final slice comes in the form of ‘Flutter’ from the truly brilliant Autechre and that’s that. Another spot-on selection from a DJ Kicks compiler. From now on when people ask me the dreaded question, "What sort of music are you into?". I’m just gonna tell em’ to listen to this album because it just about covers the lot. Well, well worth a listen.

Jax