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

When is comes to compilations BBE are at the top of their game. Pete Adarkwah is of course back at the controls and digging out even more Soul, Funk and Jazz in a similar vain to the previous three volumes as compiled by Pete and Kenny Dope. Here are 15 wonderful sought after tracks, which have been sampled by a numerous Hip Hop and R&B artists. Highlights for me are Barbara Mason ‘Give Me Your Love’, Bill Conti ‘Reflections’, American Gypsy ‘Inside Out’, Jay Dee ‘Strange Funky Games and Things’ and that’s just for starters.

Simon Harrison

What strikes you first about “Better Luck Next Time” is the attention to detail in the press release and packaging; this is top quality. Doctor L has been a very busy man over the years working with the likes of Tony Allen, James Blood Ulmer and Nicolas Baby (Kaktus Hunters). This time he teams up with French vocalist Dom Farkas under his new Broken alias. Mixing up the deepest house grooves with soul, jazz and, yes, rock, is a bit of a shock at first but just like when you first heard Mos Def’s “Rock N Roll” it works a treat.

Keep your eyes peeled for the 12” with four more tasty tunes.

Simon Harrison

It’s been quite some time since we heard from Bukky Leo, so top marks to Mr Bongo for getting him back in the studio. Having worked with a number of the greats- Tony Allen and of course Fela- he has also been flying the flag for the British jazz scene for a number of years. Ben Mitchell has been brought in to produce and has given Afro Funk a more dancefloor feel but still keeping an old skool feel to all the tracks. Mixing Afro beat and electronic beats exactly how it should sound.

Simon Harrison

Those in the know may have checked out Corbett’s “Corbenova” album that was released in 2003 but I have to admit he was unknown to me until Woodland released the excellent three track EP at the end of 2004. All three tracks from the EP are featured here and still sound as good as ever. The rest of the album is a real mix of Nu-Jazz, where Corbett plays flugelhorn and trumpet, over some beautiful breaks and beats. Not only that but also featured are the lovely vocals of Lizzy Parks, a name you really need to watch out for in 2006.

Simon Harrison

One thing for sure, you can never go wrong when purchasing any of Joyce’s albums and believe me there’s a lot out there. This time Joyce has brought in guest Dori Caymmi who plays guitar and sings on most of the tracks, which works beautifully with Joyce’s vocals. The whole album is truly something special, with every single track worth its weight in gold. If you’re a vinyl junkie, keep an eye out for the very limited 7” featuring “Rio Bahia” and “The Colours of Joy”.

Simon Harrison

Austrian duo Heinz Tronigger and Michael ‘Pogo’ Kreiner, aka Madrid De Los Austrias recorded this their second album in Spain. Traditional flamenco is seamlessly blended with soul, jazz and contemporary dance rhythms to create a sun soaked fusion. ‘Un Mensaje’ and ‘Para Don Alonso’, which featured on the 12” are both present in their original form and whilst the former doesn’t quite have the same impact as the Yam Who? Rework it’s still a solid cut. In a similar 2 step vein is the title track ‘Mas Amor’ and for the dancers check ‘No A La Guerra’ and ‘Rua Do Trombeta’, two great modern jazz-funk excursions.

Andy Allen

Old time crooner Paul Anka is back with a unique take on a selection of well known rock and pop songs set to big band swing arrangements. He visits the likes of Van Halen’s ‘Jump’, ‘True’ by Spandau Ballet, The Cure’s ‘Love Cats’, Michael Jackson’s ‘The Way You Make Me Feel’ and the infamous ‘Eye Of The Tiger’ from Survivor. I know it sounds like an absolute disaster but it works in a cheeky kind of way. Trust me, touch down on his version of Oasis’s ‘Wonderwall’ or Nirvana’s ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ and you’ll be convinced, I kid you not!

Andy Allen