Rong Music have built a solid reputation for releasing quality deep house in its various guises. Be it slow motion disco, electro, ambient or Balearic it’s always interesting. This two disc compilation showcases a selection of their output so far. Disc one is mixed by DJ Spun and kicks off with the mid-tempo jazzy groove ‘Slow And Low’ by Bits Breaks And Beats moving perfectly into ‘Set It Up’ from Projections before ending on the gorgeous ‘Damn Flu’ by Mudd. The second disc is unmixed and features delights such as DJ Harry’s funky ‘Aquarium Man’, the boogie bomb ‘Outhere’ (Instrumental) by Projections and the almost modal ‘Kerry’s Caravan’ again by Mudd featuring the legendary jazz drummer Chico Hamilton. Rong Music it may be but it feels so right!

There’s a lot to be said for home grown talent, even if this Camberwell born dancer, spitter and diva of all trades, who’s also Nigerian (because she’s lived there for more than a decade it therefore entitles her to have dual nationality)has her foot in many territories – including the US. As confusing as it may seem, this girl’s no rolling stone. Wumni’s journey through music on her debut album entitled ‘A.L.A, meaning Africans Living Abroad, is very clear in what it encompasses. Defined as a combinative reflection of where she’s been and what her experiences have birthed, by spending time in all of these places, has proved very favourable and made her a hot commodity in the dance arena. Since leaving behind her Soul II Soul days as the infamous silhouetted dancer of that ‘Back To Life’ video and being the mainstay of their crew, she then headed to New York, hooked up with the MAW boys Kenny and Louie, as well as helping out the likes of King Britt, Roy Ayers, Osunlade but became most notably a lot more recognised for her work on the Fela Kuti tributes back in the mid-late nineties. It’s some of those same Afro house rhythms along with today’s broken beat sounds and her unique Nigerian twang and broken English quirkism which her album captures with eloquent expression. Getting you on your feet there’s broken beat aplenty to be found in the presence of the politics of "Greedy Body", "Crossover (Commercialism)", while they funky fusions of the Bugz In The Attic’s Seiji was responsible for the effervescent percussion and drum production of "Good Foot Charlie". The comical lyrics of "Talk, Talk, Talk" wonderfully marries jazz and hi life as she gets to expressing the nature of man . Deep house tasters "Fanaticals" and "Sweet Lullaby" and the smooth acoustic displays on "Illegal Alien" and a few other choice selections complete this discography of inviting and tasteful collection that’s surely been a long time coming.

In less than a decade Osunlade’s become something of a phenomena to those that resolutely support the underground house scene. To be frank before 1999 I didn’t really know anything about the deep house, Afro, broken beat, soul spirited producer, DJ and musician native of New York. Setting up Yoruba Records over seven years ago, opened up many doors for him, namely acquiring himself a record and distribution deal with UK independent Soul Jazz records, which definitely helped to put him on the map following his ‘Paradigm’ debut offering for the said label. Offloading many LP, DJ mix compilations and singles for any credible label worth its salt both in England, Japan and Europe, it’s a wonder how the Nigerian ordained priest of his Ifa faith, who lived for a while in Puerto Rico and now presently resides in Greece manages to find the time come up with any fresh material as he has done on his latest ‘Elements Beyond’ magnificent project. Its shortly due for release on the new repackaged, rebranded Strictly Rhythm label – thanks to Simon Dunmore of Defected. For fans of his work expect no real surprises in terms of genres; from the minimalist approaches of dreamy techno on “139th Street”, the rather hauntingly demure ripplings of “A Monk’s Tale”, the middle eastern subtleties of “Frequencies” to the appealing disco funk homage of the seventies on “Momma’s Groove” which sit alongside each other with the greatest of ease. Other highlights include the rap timing monologue of Lotus A on the “Cream” love ballad, whereas the beats per minute drive full throttle but not manically on the Afro house musing called “April”. The one and only disappointing feature “Queen’s Battle” has a horde of foul language that totally ruins the track’s production of what could have been adopted by today’s funk devotees. As far a comebacks go Strictly have made a good move showing that they have moved with the times in the sounds of house. Kicking off with a class name as Osunlade should prove a solid investment on all sides, be you a DJ or a collector, you’ll dig this for sure.

Compiled by Rainer Truby, Theo Thoennessen and Roland Appel, the hosts of Munich’s long standing club night Maiden Voyage, this set focuses on some of the classic soul and boogie cuts which have been favourites at the night. It kicks off with ‘Lihue’ a tropical 2 stepper from Hawaiian songstress Nohelani Cypriano, before moving through gems such as Raw Soul Express’ ‘The Way We Live’, Diana Ross’ ‘Tenderness, Cameo’s ‘Love You Anyway’, ‘She’s Gone’ from Norman Connors, ‘Very Special’ by Debra Laws and her brother, Hubert Laws’ ‘Land Of Passion’. As if that wasn’t enough there’s also James Mason’s ‘I Want Your Love’, Alicia Myers’ ‘I Want To Thank You’, the original and best version of ‘Georgy Porgy’ from Toto, and the irresistible ‘Love Is On The One’ by Xavier’. Many of these tracks are what got me into the scene initially and it’s an absolute pleasure to hear them put together on this excellent compilation.

The second installment of ‘Underground Hits & Exclusive Bits’ includes recent highlights from the Wah Wah 45s label like the bright and breezy soul/jazz swinger ‘Love Untold’ by Sesong, Speeka’s ‘Bend’ featuring Ben Parker, PTH Projects’ ‘What The Sun Brings’ and ‘It’s Only Perfect by Man/Boy (Talc) featuring Girl. Of the exclusive bits there’s another offering from Talc who serve up the Steely Dan inspired ‘Wonder Bar’. ‘Melancholic (Your Love Blinds Me)’ by Luna & Bazis, is a solid bass heavy jazzy groove, as is Jamie Finlay’s ‘Any Given Sunday’ featuring a powerful spoken word message from Dwayne Morgan. The highlights for me though are the tech-soul of Landslide’s ‘Solitary’ featuring the delightful vocals of Ernesto, ‘Blow The Man Down’, an acoustic folk outing from London based singer/songwriter Rosie Brown and Scrimshire’s ‘Warm Sound’ featuring Inga Lill Aker, a stunning orchestrated soul/jazz piece reminiscent of 4hero.

The latest release from Japanese jazzers Sleep Walker is essentially a compilation featuring tracks which haven’t made it on their albums plus their remixes of other artists’ material. It kicks off with two tracks from the new 12" released on Especial, ‘Quiet Dawn’ and the amazing ‘Wind’ featuring Yukimi Nagano. The Bembe Segue fronted ‘River Of Love’ is also included along with their rework of Kyoto Jazz Massive’s ‘Eclipse’ and a new take on ‘Waltz For Moe’, the original of which appeared on ‘The Room – 10th Anniversary’, a four track EP released in 2003. Their re-work of Jazzinho’s ‘Sim Ou Nao’ is a worthy inclusion but check their blissful remix of Victor Davies ‘Don’t Believe A Word’ from his recent ‘Hear The Sound – Remixed’ set.

It’s been a long time coming but Dalindeo’s debut album is now finally with us. The Brazilian influenced Finnish jazz sextet impressed with their first 12" ‘Poseidon/Solifer-Lento’ and their follow up ‘Go Ahead, Float/Voodoo’. Sadly though ‘Go Ahead, Float’ hasn’t made it on to the album at all and ‘Poseidon’ and ‘Voodoo’ only appear on the CD version. There is however plenty here to keep your attention such as the beautifully orchestrated ‘Samba Da-Li’ and ‘Non-Stop Flight’, a gorgeous bossa cut featuring Japanese vocalist Michiko. Michiko also graces ‘Tsunami’ and the immaculate waltz ‘Empty Fruits’, which for me is the album’s finest moment.

Originally issued in 1972 on Cotillion Records, ‘Prelude To’ was Barbara Massey and Ernie Calabria’s one and only album together. Due to the growing interest in the folk-funk sound this has become much sought after piece in recent years so top marks to Fallout for this timely reissue. Orchestrated by Eumir Deodato and featuring players such as Grady Tate, Ralph MacDonald, Joe Beck, Keith Jarrett and Richard Tee, it effortlessly fuses elements of psychedelic pop, folk, funk and jazz to create an outstanding collection. It includes the in demand ‘Play With Fire’ and ‘Somebody To Love’ but equally as good are ‘Searching The Circle’, and ‘My Love & I.

Musicians from 17 countries including Italy (Amycanbe) Brazil (New Samba Jazz) and Malta (Tribali!) uniting to support the ongoing struggle for independence for the people of West Papua. There’s a good old mix of styles going on here with tracks from Romania’s superb Shukar Collective through to tribal recordings from the Illaga Village People. Very good Check out www.freewestpapua.org.

The Rough Guide series takes us straight into the feel of a Middle Eastern street café, you just want to there savouring the sounds, smells and atmosphere. Compiler Nili Belkind has picked 18 tracks which takes us from Morocco (Mayodi) across Lebanon, Syria, Israel, Greece and includes seven tracks from Egypt. My pick is Mokhtar Al Said & El Ferka El Masaya’s ‘Souhair’s Tabla’  – simple but evocative.

13 tracks that feature some of West Africa’s greats in the acoustic intimacy of their music. The wonderful Babba Maal & Mansour Seck ease us in with ‘Maacina Tooro’ with Senegal being further represented by Nuru Kane and Daby Balde. Mory Kante with ‘Djou’ represents Guinea along with Djeli Moussa Diawara (joined by Bob Brozman), Grand Papa Diabate & Sona Diabate & Kante Manfila. Mali has tracks from Issa Bagayogo, Mah Dama, Coubacar Traore, Toumani Diabatre & Ballake Sissoko and Dieneba Seck while Niger’s Etran Finatwa complete this excellent line up.