The label that calls itself Year Zero certainly had a bit of a year zero concept when they thought up the musical compilation concept of a history of New York’s musical melting pot so let’s investigate how high they got on the first edition.

So it doesn’t take a genius to work out that Horse Meat Disco III is the latest in the compilation series by James Hillard, Jim Stanton, Severino and Luke Howard; and it’s proof indeed that 3 is a magic number.

Stop Machine is an album of electronic jazz that’s so deep, it’ll get you coming up for air - Snorkel or not!

In the finest traditions of a dub stylee sound clash, in the red corner it’s Ninja Tunes’ The Bug and in the blue corner, its Soul Jazz Records very own Stuart Baker who fight it out for the 3D Dancehall Digital Dub Belt of the worldddddddddddddddddd!

Von D’s debut album is out this week and he’s a true genre merger of the highest order, a modern day new formula for bass heavy sounds that puts you in a daydreamin’ frame of mind.

Fans of Amon Tobin will be used to expecting the unexpected when it comes to new releases but even for the Brazilian born maverick, ISAM is a step into the unknown.

First a band that are on their 5th album and have toured every continent on the planet, First Light might seem an odd title for the new album but all becomes apparent very quickly.

Big Dada has a monoply on the coniseti of grime and as Wiley’s 100% Publishing made “Album Of The Week” today in the Metro, we’re going to give it bit more at 110%!

With the history of Bootsy, I tend to think that Tha Funk Capital Of The World should really make it clear what planet it’s on as this is mega funky.

Jessica 6 has been getting some attention of late with their debut album release but is there anything to back up the good looks of front woman Nomi Ruiz?

There are at least two reasons for getting this compilation as the majority of the proceeds will go directly to Amnesty International and all 23 tracks are by women from all over the world: proper FLYGlobalmusic you might say?

What with the “Produced By Manu Chao” sticker on the cover and the Metro’s ‘Album of the Week’, what more do you want from SMOD’s third album?

It may be 30 years since Bob Marley passed away but reggae’s pop flame is still going strong and he’s Hollie Cook is a hot name for the summer.

It’s good to have something to dance to on a Friday, and Kraak & Smaak’s latest album Electric Hustle is certainly a good album to dance to and so much more!

Charlie Haden gets some sophisticated ladies to join in with his Quartet West project where they excel in lush, romantic arrangements of music from Hollywood’s golden era; and they are in London Town this weekend!

One-Handed Music’s roster of stars already includes Paul White and Bullion has now expanded to include Mo Kolours making 3 a very magic number!

When I think of gravity, I would think of ‘heavy’ and ‘serious’ in the two most used senses of the word but from now on, we can add the new excellent album by Julian & Roman Wasserfuhr!

The spring revolution continues and as if by some sort of clairvoyance, Nguyên Lê’s latest album Songs Of Freedom is right on message

If you’re going to see Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Contonou at the Scala tonight, I’m well jealous but then, it’s time to review their latest album Contonou Club so I’m very happy.

If you know James Pants as a man who bangs drums, plays records at discos, record scratcher, picture drawer and all round ideas person you need to add his new album James Pants to his long list of abilities.

Subtitled 24 wedding songs from the golden age of Rhythm & Blues and Rock’n’Roll it is exactly what it say on the tin and is the proverbial two fingers to the current wedding day excess.

The cover of EST’s Magnus Öström looks like a study in Norwegian Black Metal but ACT label’s release is a vision in modern jazz (and there’s a European Tour to start very soon).

The opening track of this album ‘Pictures Of The Sea’ would have been a far better descriptive title for this Balearic beauty of an album so don’t let that put you off cuddling up to Alex And The Grizzly.

This was a celebrated release in Finland a couple of years ago but now it gets repackaged on ‘jazz label of the year’ ACT and you’ll find that the name Verneri Pohjola will be the on the lips as the horn of the year!

Now you might have thought from what you’ve heard from Leo Zero before that this would be another disco compilation but when this guy plays at his legendary sets you’ll soon discover that he’s one of the most interesting DJ’s around at the moment.

Fania Records will always be the original sound of Latin New York and Strut have put Fania Records will always be the original sound of Latin New York and Strut have put together “the first ever definitive 2CD retrospective of Fania Records” cover their golden period; and it’s hot.

Hot on the heals of the Love And Death, Strut have sensibly dug deep into the back catalogue for a fantastic double CD compilation which is a must have ‘Best Of’ his Highlife & Afrobeat Classics 1973-1980

When we’ve got the achievements of a legend like Dennis Coffey, you do wonder why a new album? Well the short answer, at least to these ears, he’s still got more to contribute to the back catalogue of fabulous music and there’s a list of current stars who are more than happy to join in.

Pants is back! Our favourite former resident of Spokane has fled the nest and finds Clouds Over The Pacific in superb 4-track EP form.

After Gilles Peterson’s Interview with Seun Kuti on his Worldwide Show this morning, you’d be right to be excited by the fact that his new album is coming out next week as it’s time to rise up!

The title of this set is taken from Lowrell’s super sexy ‘Mellow Mellow, Right On’ and here’s a proper collection of downtempo 70s and 80s soul that will put you right on in the mood.

This one is another reminder that Harmless Records is 15 years old and this time it’s a B-Boy breaks party jam that gets Dean Rudland compilation slip mats moist and funky.

Shawn Lee is a regular on FLY and his latest album opens the doors on his multi-national genre fusing World Of Funk - a “Music Master” indeed!

“An infusion of exploding beats, filled with tales of mysterious events, your music reminds of tiny pings of exciting fireworks..of surprises..that’s what I’m trying to say?” And it’s hip-hop on the Brownswood label, that’ll do nicely!

Not to sure what the title You Make Me Real is trying to get at but this is a great debut album where classical instruments to play techno!

Siggi Loch’s ACT label has a wealth of talented young piano players on their roster and here’s another who happens to be British!

After all the acclaim that has been loaded upon James Blakes’ debut album entitled James Blake, it’s only fair to write some more about the biggest sound of 2011 so far.

If there’s one good thing about January, for the past couple of years anyway, there’s been the release of 4 sets of Disco Discharge double CD albums; and they are back in 2011 better than ever!

If you’re looking forward to seeing Marc Rapson at Scope this Friday, don’t forget to take a few bob with you just in case there’s a few copies left of his fantastic debut EP for sale: Dark Vs. Light.

With most of the UK covering in snow, what better week to launch a book dedicated to the cover art of Bossa Nova albums released in Brazil in the 1960s?

With 10 years under his BBC DJing belt, what better time to have “A celebration of his syndicated Radio Show” on 2 CDs?

The long awaited return of the purveyors of beats and soul, Modest, Fabulous & deBore (aka Belleruche) and they’re got 270 Stories to tell on their latest album that’s out on the wonderful Tru-Thoughts label.

Early on this year Gilles Peterson was proclaiming Donso as one of the albums of the year, so why has it taken us so long to take it to our hearts and agree with the Brownswood supremeo?

Even for the “saviours of house music”, naming your debut album as Greatest Hits seems a bit arrogant? Can these 14 tracks live up to the billing?

Wow! Yes it really is veteran Jamaican dub expert at the controls of Tectonic’s dubstep compilation with cover by Tony McDermott and you can’t get much better than that.

As you might guess from the recent Bilal appearance on the Gilles Peterson show, he’s a bit of a wildchild and people can call him “anything” not that his lastest album is finally out; revenge is sweet?

The thing to note about the cover of this release is that the prominence it gives to the producer, “the man with the Golden Sound” - Lewis Parker as the music and lyrics of River Nelson come together on The Rise And Fall Of River Nelson.

Following on from the ‘Soundboy Shift’ 12”, SBTRKT makes even more sonic reductions with the new Step In Shadows EP.

Recorded earlier this year Ludovico Einaudi’s The Royal Albert Hall Concert is a 2CD and DVD set that lets you see and hear Ludocico Einaudi at his best and a reminder to book up now for the November UK tour!

The album of the week without a doubt is Ebo Taylor’s Love And Death which isn’t bad for the guitarist, composer, arranger and producer from born in 1936 - be prepared to see it in all good ‘Best of 2010’ lists very soon!

Experimental French hip-hop via Japan with a dash of Futuristica Music is the cocktail that is the debut album by As Valet, Primitive.

If you’re still in that Halloween mood after all the excitement last week, here’s something from the darkside with a surprising loving touch - ladies and gentlemen, be prepared for the Drums Of Death!

Obviously Zombie Zombie don’t literally ‘play’ John Carpenter but they certainly play some of the best of his film music and it’s pretty scary as you’d imagine.

As Gilles Peterson continues to celebrate 10 years at Radio 1, here’s a band that made it big at the same time the show was finding its feet; it’s the return of the Gotan Project with a remix EP

It’s been a while since we were dancing to Gecko Turner but whilst he’s been away, going down south has done him a world of good as Gone Down South blends his Spanish heritage with freewheelin’ funky blues.

Like the George Duke collection (another in the series Originals here’s another 5 album package from one of the biggest smooth sax players around, David Sanborn.

Quite an interesting statement of intention calling your debut album Same Girl with all but two tracks being covers of mostly well known songs; if she is the same, she’s always been uniquely fantastic on this evidence.

Dominic Miller is the Argentinean guitarist is best known for his work with Sting and even though he’s done loads of session work, it’s his own albums that showcase him the best but his latest is the exception - in a very good way.

A budget package of 5 original albums by one of the biggest names of the funky keyboard, Mr. George Duke - if this doesn’t get you excited, I’ll be surprised!

DJHistory.com’s Frank Broughton and Bill Brewster (co-authors of esteemed dance bible ‘Last Night A DJ Saved My Life’ and the soon to be released ‘The Record Players: DJ Revolutionaries’), the duo have gathered together some of their favourite DJs and asked/persuaded/threatened them to divulge their own secret DJ weapons - bomb away!

James Solomon McDonald was born 21st March, 1940 in Philadelphia, PA, USA and died October 10, 2010 in Schiphol Airport, The Netherlands - may the King of Rock ‘n’ Soul rest in peace.

It’s the hell raiser who had ‘Great Balls Of Fire’ at the birth rock’n’roll in the late 50’s that’s now Jerry Lee Lewis as a Mean Old Man but he’s still rockin, country and gospel with a bunch of big name mates on a fantastic brand new 19 track album.

Strut re-kindle their involvement with one New York’s most revered DJs and re-edit pioneers, Danny Krivit, with a fresh album of essential new, rare and classic re-works, past and present (that reads as “must have” in case you didn’t guess).

ACT are determined to prove they are ‘Label Of The Year’ as they’ve gone and done it again with a live jazz trio album by Wollny, Kruse & Schaefer, aka [em].

The multi-award winning saxophonist from Birmingham proves once again that he’s the Courtney Pine of his generation with the new album, The New Emancipation.

So like the proverbial London Bus scenario, here comes No. 3 in the Bustin’ Out series of compilations dedicated to the post-punk, new wave and new beat scenes.

Based in Edinburgh, it’s about time that the Hidden Orchestra revelled themselves and their debut album is certainly a revelation that’s already caught the attention music insiders; another big album from the terrific Tru-Thoughts label.

The best night’s jazz in many a year at the Barbican

Not our usual territory but ‘Communion’ has its roots in the birthplace of heavy rock and has some magical moments and some superstar members, all hail Black Country!

A night of contrasts, propelled by the power of soukous

The new album by Robert Mitchell’s Panacea, The Cusp finds the band in expanded and exceptional form; on the cusp of a classic!

Just to say it again, Harmless Records is 15 years old and it’s party time with the meister of the jazz and funk compilation, Dean Rudland as he gets some classic on the latest Pulp Fusion

Kick starting a series of new mixes for !K7-affiliated label Cool in the Pool, they’ve invited 24 year old Londoner Brackles to step up to plate for Volume 1.

The original Jamaican Jolly Boys are back and who the dickens would have thought that the sound of mento would be big with the kids in 2010?

Still in love with Codec Shift’s release on VeryVeryWrongIndeed? We’ll here’s another on the same label with a bit of a revivival of The Electric Press as they steam around the cosmos.

Just when you thought we knew all the ‘odd balls’ in music there is to know, Stones Throw Records finds an eclectic soul that “deserves at least one proper retrospective” and Farad: The Electric Voice certainly is that.

One of the titles of the year but can veteran Marcos Valle produce one of the albums of the year - you bet as he’s estatic about this!

Kiwi dubsters pack ‘em in at Limehouse’s The Troxy

Fat Freddy’s Drop Live At The Roundhouse is possibly the easiest review of the year as FFD are at their best live and at The Roundhouse, they were at their best; plus they are still likely to be when on tour in the UK this week.

The art of ‘Re’ (as in remixed, reimagined, remastered, etc) hits a new high as Tom Moulton ReGrooves the classic sound of Philly with some mighty remixes that you can’t miss out on.

To say Jah Wobble is an interesting bloke would be an understatement so when he releases an album called Welcome To My World you’ll want to hear what the dub his world is like.

Not one of the five members of the band Special Benny are called Benny which is encouraging as post indie folktronic sound so much better than their impulse name choice.

If you know All Your Beats you’ll be ecstatic to know that we’re up to Vol. 3 and it’s out now.

If you’re of a certain age, Dean Rudland will be a familar name as a the man that knows how to compile a album of Jazzy Vibes and this new release on Backbeats is proof he’s not lost his touch.

Any guitarist will tell you the theory is OK but it’s all down to practice so celebrated jazz guitarist Ritenour (aka Captain Fingers) gets to pick 20 (twenty!) world class guitarist mates to join him as they get to grips with Lee Ritenour’s 6 String Theory.

Irreverance, wry wit and social rebellion are not characteristics usually associated with Fado, Portugal’s melancholy national song. Yet Deolinda, the quartet led by vocalist Ana Bacalhau has blossomed by combining lusty tunes rooted in the sound of Fado with frothy and even downright caustic contemporary lyrics.

When Andy Votel isn’t putting his talents to creating album covers for Far Out Recordings he spends all his time on his other passion, creating a mix of experimental, psychedelic, folk sci-fi popcorn and his latest album is vintage Votel.

One thing you can say about Ashley Beedle (actually, there lots of things but without contradiction), he is possibly the most polymath of musicians around today and he never lets us down; bring on the Darkstarr!

Andreya Triana has already worked with some big names in her short career to date so it’s great to hear that the debut album ‘Lost Where I Belong’ is out this week on Ninja Tunes and is getting all right reactions.

If you’re not familiar with the ACT label yet, time to get busy as they are so on form at the moment, it is little wonder that they’ve been voted label of the year already!

I’ve just discovered my new favourite experimental classical ambient house band, its Aufgang baby!

Solo is Vijay Iyer on Steinway piano playing five orginal pieces and six cover versions of tracks made famous by Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, Steve Coleman and Michael Jackson, this is going to be one of the Jazz album’s of the year!

With album launch at Big Chill House on 28th August with M3NSA (named as one of BBC’s Top 50 Ghanaians!), it’s about time Ye Fre Mi Richy Pitch.

In truth, I’m running a little behind (Oh! Err, Mrs) with the releases on VeryVeryWrongIndeed which is very poor form; especially when there’s a Codec Shift going on.

Sound boy Max Sedgley gets big props from Tor Cesay as they shift things up a gear with the release of new single ‘Sound Boy’.

Toddla T signing to Ninja Tune shows that even as they celebrate their 20th anniversary this year, they are still a force to be reckoned with and party with a bit of Sky Surfing.

Here’s a crowd pleaser from back in the day as Skye Edwards rejoins Paul and Ross Godfrey in the classic line up of downtempo beat favourites Morcheeba with a new album, Blood Like Lemonade.

Paul ‘Bluey’ Maunick’s Incognito marks the 30th Anniversary with a new album and 3 nights at the world famous Ronnie Scott’s from tonight until Friday.

Mr. Orbit was at his pop zenith about 10 years ago or so which coincided with the release of the first version of Pieces In A Modern Style where he updated classical works; so is Pieces In A Modern Style 2 an improvement?

After last week’s performance at the Big Chill, it was time to have another look at the Ashley Beedle & Darren Morris’ MAV!S project.

This band’s debut album last year left me a little lost for words so could they do the same with the “difficult second album” with its celestial body?

Any fan of No Wave - Post Punk 1976-1980 will know that James Chance was the leading man of the movement as with The Contortions, they made some of the most compelling tunes of the time that you’ll find on this new release Twist Your Soul: The Definitive Collection.

Roots Manuva is back! Not only is he live at Big Chill on Saturday, there’s a single out at the end of the month and a (sort of) new album, a brand new album next year plus a special on Gilles Peterson’s show - what more do you want?

If you’ve got a touch of “disco droop” here’s some 12” madness from the golden era as lovingly extended by master DJ Walter Gibbons.

So if you can imagine giving jazz legend a 70th birthday party and got a load of his favourite International music stars to join in on ten of his favourite songs, The Imagine Project would be such a star studded present!

Sub-titled “Psychedelia Folk, Rock, Electronica & Jazz from the Out There Edges of Brazil” this is so much more than a trip into the mid 60s to 70s as Far Out Recordings bring you a trip of a lifetime.

Still coming to grips with Michael Leonhart & The Avramina 7 debut album Seahorse And The Storyteller? Now the summer of love 2010 is here, time to give it another go - Peace.

Why The World Ends?…The latest title from Soundway Records features 32 electrifying and funk laden grooves from the sound of a generation attempting to pick up the pieces after the devastation of the Nigerian civil war.

If you’ve not got a sweet tooth for JazZstePpa just yet, watch out as the ‘Big Swing Sound’ takes on the credit criss with this new release, it’s a wise investment.

The Barbican’s Blaze festival is presenting an astounding range of contemporary music this summer, a line-up - from Staff Benda Bilili to Youssou N’Dour - that puts every other London presenter in the shade.

Get this, Will ‘Quantic’ Holland brings dub and reggae flavours to his Afro-Latin American Quantic Presenta Flowering Inferno project; who much better can it get?

When I first heard about this one, I admit that I was a little excited and the combination of Lloyd Miller and The Heliocentrics is just that, excitement.

When I were a lad, going to the Baths was the highlight of the week but this week Baths is the album of the week; and probably a lot longer than that!

In short, its a compilation album on Soundway called Palenque Palenque: Champeta, Criolla & Afro Roots in Colombia 1975-91 - I’d say that was enough information to rush out and buy it, but if you need more…

Mount Kimbie have been the ‘go to’ name for a remix for months now but with a debut album coming out and a long list of tour dates, 2010 is their year.

There’s no argument that Earth Wind & Fire were a great band with a great live act with a great catalogue of albums so you know that the latest The Greatest Hits compilation is great to say the least.

Can you think Arthur Russell, Chromeo, Amp Fiddler and George Clinton all at the same time? Me neither but Boohgaloo Zoo’s debut album comes fairly close to it; give it some P-Funk boys.

“Can you handle it?” as Sharon Redd might have said as we get to the eight double CD in the Disco Discharge series - bring on the Pink Pounders!

Here’s we go again with the less than obvious but totally dance floor crazy 12” disco madness with the European Connection.

“Jammer’s template is focused to the point of feeling limited at times but the tunes have a velocity that crackles..”

As the Shez Raja Collective prepare for their album launch gig in the heart of Soho jazzland this week, the CD got wondering where the Mahavishnu Orchestra would be in 2010 if they’d been led by Jaco Pastorius; Mystic Radikal wouldn’t have been too far away - yep, It’s that good!

Hey it’s Sunday Nite and Robbie Vincent and Greg Edwards have provided the soundtrack to the weekend and it’s time to Disco Discharge with some Disco Boogie!

In the long tradition of not judging CDs by the cover, Grammy nominee and esteemed jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon has re-interpreted the jazz vocal of the great American Songbook.

It’s Friday so this is the time of the week that we get up and party. This week we are guided by the Nervous Nitelife signing David Tort who is going to be spinning House this summer somewhere near you.

Hard to believe that their worldwide hit ‘La Bamba’ came out in 1987 but they are there still going strong and their new album Tin Can Trust sees them all set for their Hop Farm Festival set this weekend.

It’s probably stating the obvious but for all sorts of reasons, the music from the Balkans can be found all over the globe in various adaptations but this latest compilation on Green Queen Music is a healthy thermometer, London is the place for Balkan Fever London: mind the brass!

“The late, great Charlie Gillett had a passion for music”, Mark Coles, BBC World Service, June 2010.

We love both previous editions of Next Stop…Soweto as both are totally brilliant and so different whilst the third in the series is just as good, if not the best of the lot!

Brilliant! the new Watergate compilation has been selected by “the saviours of house”, Clement Zemstov, Damien Vandesande and Jonathan Illel (aka dOP) and this mix is one of the best!

With Francesco Tristano, Rami Khalifé and Aymeric Westrich (aka Aufgang) down at Sonar this weekend, it’s about time we celebrated their latest release.

It’s about now that artists tipped as The next big thing back in January start to get themselves sorted and it’s looking automatic from the Young Fathers.

The return of four brand new Disco Discharge double CD sets is further proof that, to paraphrase, Discos Not Dead and it kicks off diggin’ deeper into the vaults.

If you think this is jazz tribute to Studio 54, you’ve lost your marbles but this is a big album all the same and a more than unexpected pleasant surprise!

When you’ve got an outfit that’s so in tune with soul, jazz, funk and hip hop as The Herbaliser, can you imagine what a pick me up a Best Of compilation is; a real tonic to cue all ills.

Anyone would we’re at war as I keep hearing folks saying, “Turn That Light Out” but it’s all to do with Stac’s fantastic debut album that’s coming out on Monday.

The new compilation by the Horse Meat Disco crew of James Hillard, Jim Stanton, Severino and Luke Howard that is thoroughly disco-fantastic from start to finish!

Does Peterson ever stop? Clearly not as he’s recently returned from Cuba recording a new album with Danay plus this new release on his own Brownswood Recordings label with a launch party in London and Roberto Fonseca live with the New Cuba Sound at the Barbican on the 6th July - phew!

Radio 1’s Gilles Peterson played a track this week from the fifth Os Ipanemas album on Far Out Recordings and although it’s a busy week, these new recordings from “the original Afro-Brazilian Kings” have rarely sounded better.

If you don’t recognized the name of The Haggis Horns, it probably doesn’t mean you haven’t heard them as in the past they’ve recorded with Amy Winehouse, Robbie Williams, Estelle, Adele, KT Kunstall and Lily Allen to name just a few; no wonder it’s taken so long to record the ‘difficult’ second album - but you gotta keep movin’.

It’s here at long last! The World Cup coincides with the return of the much missed Mr Bongo label with a fantastic Brazilian football themed compilation - let the drums ring out.

A few years ago Max Sedgley was Mr. Happy with his worldwide super hit but it’s been a while since then; but is suddenly everything alright again?

Last year we showed Build An Ark some Love (Part 1) and leader Carlos Niño showed us some love back. Now it’s time to do it all over again as Love (Part 2) is now in the air!

You’ll have spotted that there’s loads of fantastic CDs coming out at the moment but it wouldn’t be right to miss out on the latest intricate beauty by King Britt; so we won’t!

London-based Japanese DJ/producer Kay Suzuki has found an opening for a new EP on his own label, Round In Motion and it’s good enough to get anyone moving!

With over 20 years of individual solo careers Timo Maas and Santos decided to get all their A&R together and launch their own label and Adam Port & Santé have the honour of the first release; time to ride your Rocket & Ponies!

You wait 30 years for the first Bustin’ Out compilation and then, like a London bus, before you know it, Vol.2 is upon us with 15 more killer New Wave To New Beat tunes solely from 1982.

After England’s friendly with Japan at the weekend and with the World Cup fast approaching, time to check out some Anglo-Japanese musical appreciation via the mighty bass of Jah Wobble!

Wow! At last a new album from Ty and even with a switch from Big Dada to BBE this special kind of Fool is still the star of British rap.

It’s nearly two decades since Sun Ra left this planet but he is still constantly in our thoughts and is a relevant today as ever, hence the latest re-issue by Kindred Spirit of this classic album The Antique Black.

After a couple of years of releasing super funky 7s, Skyline Recordings team up with the Delicious Digital production boys for their first and ever so timely compilation album called Football & Funk - get in there my son!

Dexter Gordon’s American Classic is as cool as the cover and now re-mastered, it’s better than ever.

Can you image one of the most celebrated soprano voices hanging out with Arcade Fire, The Mars Volta, Muse or Leonard Cohen? Neither can I nor even doing cover versions for that matter but she has (done cover versions that is) with this new album called A Dark Hope; how could you resist?

Long time fans of the label Veryverywrongindeed will know that they don’t release anything but the best in tech house and Richard Seeley hasn’t let them down with this one.

Next Stop… Soweto 2, sub-titled “Soul, Funk & Organ Grooves From The Townships 1969-1976” is the second of a three part series by Strut’s finest in the underground sound of South Africa in the 60s and 70s.

After an extended spell of political OD in the UK, it’s a welcome return for the truth via Great Britain’s favourites even if they are ‘Sick Tonight’.

Once again there’s a summer of disco ahead of us but Caravan Recordings’ glitter ball is shining on this new talent from the underground Bristol scene via Turin.

We’ve followed Soil & “Pimp” Sessions from the start so I might have said this before, their latest album is the best yet! 6 of the best so to speak.

“Incredibly this is the first time these guys have played live and this is the official launch of the new album Time, Ladies and Gentleman - Emanative!”

When any label celebrates their 10 year anniversary these days, it’s more than a good reason to celebrate with a 14 track compilation - and guess what? That’s what Trunkfunk have done and you’ll want to know why you’ve not heard of them before now!

UNITE (Urban Native Integrated Traditions of Europe) is an idea dreamed up by UK-based Transglobal Underground members Hamid Man Tu and Tim Whelan. The collection of tracks included on the project’s album A Gathering of Strangers will delight and surprise even the most intrepid musical travellers as it criss-crosses Europe in search of contemporary takes on traditional folk tracks

While the north -east of England may not be known as a hot-bed of funk, Groovenik’s self-proclaimed “Northern Funk” sound of debut album Choose Your Frame goes some way to establishing the region’s funk, jazz and soul credentials

With the end of the footie season, from the name of this lot sound, they sound like they should be some blue nosed anti-Martin O’Neill collective; but they don’t even come from Birmingham!

BBC Radio 1’s Gilles Peterson has already mentioned a couple of times that this album is one of his favourite three albums of the year and he’s not the only one going mad over this debut release.

So you missed the Juan Maclean DJ set at Phonica introducing Island Records’ exhibition/tribute to Grace Jones; don’t worry ‘cos his DJ compilation for !K7 packs a punch harder than Ms. Jones.

Dub has come a long way since Lee “Scratch” Perry, King Tubby, Scientist, Mikey Dread and such legendary knob controllers from the echo chambers pioneered the sound in Jamaica but over the years the UK has had its own stars and here’s one of the best kept secrets.

Once again Joe Davis at Far Out Recordings does it again, this time with a re-issue of a very highly sort after album that feature some of the best, if not greatest, Cuban musicians of all time! Irakere’s Cuba Libre is fantastic to say the least!

Fans of Adrian Gibson’s sets at ‘Messin’ Around’ and Perry Louis’ Jazz CoTech dancers are in seventh heaven with news of this 12” that features two massive tunes.

Not only have the jazzheads been after the new album by Empirical for some time, when it does arrive there’s the bonus of having it produced by Jason Yarde and featuring Special Guest Julian Siegel, what more can you want?

The first in a series of four Signature Edition releases where the artist selects their own ‘Best Of’ tracks for a double CD set; and Nguyên Lê is a very hard act to follow!

Now that the Volcanic dust is behaving itself, it’s time to start thinking about foreign climes and this one looks like one of the best going with Gilles Peterson, Norman Jay, Jamie Lidell, Phil Asher, Rainer Truby and lots more…

Fatima’s debut release has been eagerly anticipated after previous appearances with Shafiq Husayns, Floating Points TettoryBad and Funkineven’; the new EP shows how far she’s travelled already!

You can’t move your butt these days without getting hit with more big props for James Blake and his new EP, CMYK is the big reason why.

Half Seas Over are pianist Elan Mahler and acclaimed guitarist Adam McBride-Smith. Mahler was famously signed to Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood label, when the Radio One DJ heard one of Mahler’s CD played at a sauna in Switzerland. I am sure the folk/jazz of Half Seas Over would work as well in a similar environment

Saxophonist Nat Birchall’s excellent new album follows a similar path, both in style and execution, to Matthew Halsall’s Colours Yes . Not a surprise as Halsall both co-produces and plays on this album which is on his label Gondwana

So if you’re an acid head and your debut album has just been released, what better way to promote it than to get two of you’re heroes to do remixes for a 12”?

Welcome to the circus where none of the clowns cry!

Tal M. Klein and his mates get off their Magical Horses and get on some dirty funk with Brownout; oh yeah!

Bachelors Of Science are a duo based in San Francisco and after their successful Science Fiction debut, Warehouse Dayz is well up to speed.

Fans of Dr. Rubberfunk will know that his prescriptions are normally spot on but does ‘Northern Comfort’ get Jack Daniel’s vote?

Now spring has sprung, welcome to the new age of Aquarius from the Brazilian music stars Joyce Moreno and Joao Donato; “beautiful and understated” is an understatement.

Billy Jenkins’ new CD I Am A Man From Lewisham got a hot reception when Jenkins was recently introduced by Libby Purves as a “Blues man from Lewisham whose latest and most significant gigs have been humanist funerals”!!! Is it enough to wake the dead?

Salif live is always special but normally you have to wait for the second half before it kicks off — but not tonight. Salif had the Barbican on its feet by the second song and never let them sit down

Jazz FM dedicates a weekend of programming to raise awareness about malaria following its recent announcement of a five-year partnership with Malaria No More UK to help end the suffering and death caused by malaria in Africa

The John Butler Trio’s first album in 3 years that’s appropriate released in the same week as the Grand National, why is that you ask?

This will come as a bit of a surprise to most, but Ananésworld is possibly the most out there album of the year so far and it’s going to make her a bigger star than she already is!

Acclaimed French electronic-pop duo Mademoiselle Caro and Franck Garcia release their latest single and they are ready for battle with ‘Soldiers’.

With a short tour the month, time to get to grips with La Différence of the mighty Salif Keita who never disappoints his legion of fans.

Southampton was buzzing’ on two fronts last night. In town, the footie fans were filling out the pubs on their return from Wembley after a 4-1 win in the Johnstone’s Paints Trophy. On the other side of town, the Turner Sims Theatre was filling up with fans for Dan Berglund’s’ Tonbruket for a celebration of Tonbruket music - guess where I’d be going then?

The Modern Deep Left Quartet is the future of modern deep left music; as performed by the Cobblestone Jazz, this is real FLY Global Music - fantastic is an understatement!

Simon Green (aka Bonobo) is another artist on his fourth album and everybody has said that it is his most accomplished album to date; the magnificent Black Sands is proof indeed that it is.

Taking their lead from such rock giants as Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, Aussie funk-soul-boogie experts drop their fourth album with the unimaginative title, 4; thankfully, the 12 tracks are anything but 4th rate - this is a big one!

The acclaimed father of Ethio-jazz who has fans as varied as Damian Alban, K’Naan, Nas and Damian Marley releases his first solo album in over 20 years and it’s a belter.

The only way is Up for the International Peoples Gang as this album has quite a few really choice tracks on it; up, up and away!

Having recently toured the US and Canada supporting Calvin Harris and Deadmau5 as well as playing SXSW and Miami WMC, you could say Burns’ So Many Nights EP is eagerly awaited; and you’d be right.

Every now and again there’s a track that makes you want to jump for joy with excitement and ‘Clap Your Hands’ is one of those; and you just can’t get enough remixes either.

Picked as Gilles Peterson’s representative for Nigeria in his recent World Cup Soundclash, watch Nneka walk now!

This is the second Swedish singer that’s come out on ACT Music within a month and another name to watch out for as Josefine Cronholm voice is as soft as a falling feather.

En anglais this translates as No One Knows About Persian Cats and the film by Bahman Ghobadi won a special jury prize at Cannes Film Festival last year and this is the equally good soundtrack with the film on release later this week.

Daedelus puts ‘em up in the Marquis of Queensbury way, travels the high seas and sorts out some history with a fabulous collage of sound; this is Daedelus at his best!

Like certain professional footballers of late, what they’ve been doing with their bodies is VeryVeryWrongIndeed, Mike Monday nails it with ‘Your Body’.

With a new video and a load of gigs lined up, try not to stop and stare at Fenech Soler.

As you’re still singing along to ‘Get Better’, what better time to release the new album by the most unlikely duo of them all as they explain The Logic Of Chance.

‘Better Than’ is the anti-dote to Dan Le Sac Vs. Scroobius Pip’s ‘Get Better’ but don’t write of Jammer just yet; this is just the start!

Best known as the bassist with the Esbjörn Svensson Trio, Dan Berglund’s new band Tonbruket is eagerly awaited and as you might guess from the cover, this album should be called Heart as that would be rather appropriate on a number of levels.

Thomas White is The Maximalist! In fact, everything about this album is taken to the maximum so don’t be put off by the cover.

Its back! The Modern Highlife, Afro Sounds and Nigerian Blues of 1970-6 that is Nigeria Special; if you really love me, take me to your house and do me how you like (as Fubura Sekibo might say).

Agoria (aka Sébastien Devaud) is a producer with his own unique twist that has had the call up for the latest edition of Balance on Australian based EQ Recordings and its all aller retour and rising sine!

As this CD was in the window of Universal Sounds this week, that was enough of a recommendation for me and they didn’t let me down.

“I was in the booth at the Ministry Of Sound watching ‘Little Louie’ Vega….the MoS Weekly Saturday nigh, it was Louie’s third appearance of the year and each time was better than the last…”

“You can’t take yourself too seriously dressed in a silver cape” says Jerry Dammers but make no mistake, the Spatial A.K.A is fantastic jazz, ska and fun all wrapped up in a Sun Ra tribute; who could want for more?

Ben Watt’s Buzzin’ Fly Records celebrates its 50th release with new single ‘Bright Star’ that’s out today and its blindin’!

Now the Winter Olympics are over and the Canada picks up the most gold medals ever, what are the chances of the return of Cobblestone Jazz with a new EP?

Brainfeeder in London! Red Bull Music Academy has done the unbelievable and have hauled all of the Brainfeeder crew over for a massive bash this week.

Be part of the Dub Pistols’ chart hijack and download their latest ‘Ganja’ NOW!!!!!!!!

Polar Bear is one of Seb Rochford’s many projects but their latest album out this week, Peepers is just as much of a band effort that will open your eyes.

There was a time that folks were thinking we’d heard the last of Bomb The Bass (aka Tim Simenon) but this is the second album in 18 months and he’s back to light with loads of guest pals on vocals.

Far Out release the Original Sound Track to the brilliant film Garrincha ‘Estrela Solitaria’ on CD and they couldn’t have timed it better.

“Hey!, that’s not a new album!” I hear you shout but this album has been effectively “out of print” since 2002 and it is certainly great to have it back.

Clint as in Eastwood of course, is Oddjob’s tribute to the best known of his film themes as written by the greats of Ennio Morricone, Lalo Schifrin and others.

The Boogiebytes are back with Seth Troxler and he wants to bite ya boogie nites groovin’ ass; one for the dancefloor then!

With a new album out soon and a very lengthy gig list over the next couple of months, can the duo of Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip get any better?

As you might guess from the cover, this album is inspired by the music of Ethiopia and when it’s done by Ben Lamdin, you know it’s going to be jazz of the highest quality - put it down as a must have.

We’ve had a bit of a just of jazz vocalists of late but here’s something a bit different that is taking some well known popular songs out of their comfort zone.

This is a bit of a surprise, it’s not often that you’re able to mention Mission Of Burma and João Gilberto in the same review, but then ‘The Last Blast’ is an unusual EP.

The sticker on the cover of this one doesn’t really cover the variety and intensity of the compilation of Michael Fakesch remixes; “Michael Fakesch?” I hear you say.

Coming outta Ottawa, Canada, this group is the modern embodiment of soul-jazz Afro funk and I’m a little guilty that we haven’t given them as much credit as they deserve in the past; lets put that to rights with their new album Rising Sun!

First off, don’t let the title of this 2CD compilation put you off as the 23 tracks are not in any way second rate - this is Zero dB after all!

If you’ve not got into the new album yet, try the first single taken from I’m New Here, it’s Gil Scott-Heron and the devil!

Next Stop… Soweto, sub-titled “Township sounds from the golden age of Mbaqangwa” is the first of a three part series by Strut’s finest in the underground sound of South Africa in the 60s and 70s.

Once there was Disco and on the other side of the ocean there was Prins Thomas - this is his debut album and it’s fantastic, what else do you need to know?

RQM steps out with his own label, Baby Sumo, so listen to the colour fade on the debut EP.

Asseteria! is the Sunday night bash for New York’s most house hungry crowd of hedonists where Chriss Vargas can DJ for hours, even as long as it takes to get to Uranus!

So you think you know an artist, especially one that made his name in the post bop/free jazz era? Well here’s Don Cherry with a world-funk fusion that’s as Here & Now as it was in the mid 70s!

A special release in the Atlantic Masters series of re-issues as this is Joe Zawinul’s debut solo album from the mid 1960s - Money In The Pocket you could say.

Bustin’ Out is set in a time went the punks limelight was dimming but in its place, the independent DIY label ethic took hold and a whole new generation of musicians started to experiment a little deeper than 3-chord wonders.

How do you get to grips with Tudor Acid’s Merri Portland? It’s a good question but the answer is simple (sort of), just enjoy it.

As all readers of FLY Global Music will tell you, it’s very rare that any of the major record labels know what is what; and he’s another case in point, the fantastic Eva Be.

Announced this week as the “Godfather of Rap” on Radio 4, at last there’s a brand new album from Gil Scott-Heron and it’s on XL of all labels; talk about I’m New Here!

When Gilles Peterson announced on his show “this is my favourite track from the new José James album”, it was time to wake up and pay attention as the voice of jazz is back!

Don’t be put off by the strange Cluedo-esque imagery of the cover, this CD by Spanish guitar virtuoso is as Española as you can get.

We have loved every single BBE compilation in the Kings Of series as their formula is simple, two ‘Kings of’ a genre select tracks for a double CD/LP set; nothing can go wrong and the Drum & Bass selection is no exception.

This is so much more than a one track album but you must be warned, there is an absolutely fantastic track that’s going to make you drop your funky rocks like hot stones.

Been a bit slow on this one since Carlos Niño recommended it in Rough Trade late last year but on the basis of the first track you could see why the Spaceways guru would be attracted to this one.

No love for Jellybass featuring Brother Culture? Yeah, we love this one big time like dubwise rockers! Should have a health warning as it could trash you speakers (in a good way of course).

There’s been a load of brilliant compilations lately but Strut have linked up with DJ History to keep ahead of the games on some mighty fine gems from a decade of experimentation.

The Moons will be supporting Ocean Colour Scene on their forthcoming tour in February so there’s no better time for the debut album to come out.

With a new single and a line up of gigs in February, are Chapel Club the next young things of the moment?

It’s a good job the music on the 12 tracks on this compilation more than outweigh this early candidate for ‘Most Unispired Title’ of the year; musically, 2010 looks like a very good year for Soma Recordings indeed.

The new album by Rory Simmons’ Fringe Magnetic is big band leftfield jazz at its best and no doubt the highlight of the forthcoming Loop Collective Festival at the Vortex.

If you’ve been waiting for the follow up to Tom Stephan’s Asseteria! Live From New York, the latest in the ‘Nervous Nitelife’ is testiment to how his DJ set is progressing.

Even if you’ve never heard of John Morales, the subtitle of this massive compilaton NYC Underground Disco Anthems + Previously Un-Released Exclusive Salsoul Mixes should give you a clue that this is a very tasty release.

Following the worldwide success of Deadmau5 (aka Joel Zimmerman) last year, with more big gigs coming up in the UK next month, here’s the second edition of the At Play album.

You won’t be surprised to hear the Ceephax Acid Crew is just one bloke and United Acid Emirates is nothing to do with UAE or Arsenal, it’s pure acid baby.

Don’t be put off by the cover as the debut solo album from the bassist in Gogol Bordello’ band is far-I more than anything that Bordello has done for a long time; a new world star!

If your in any doubt, the way to start 2010 is the Bibi Tanga & The Selenites’ Dunya way; what a brilliant start to the new year!

The noble attempt to fix the shifting sands of music from around the world has been likened to the book equivalent of Apocalypse Now. A project whose twists and turns continually threaten to overwhelm its resources makes it all the more welcome and cherished as it arrives

Once again, the house of Nervous Records brings us the finest in New York’s nitelife with this stunning collection by DJ/Producers Peter Bailey & Richie Santana.

Fans of Isaac Hayes’ Shaft soundtrack will recognise the title, but would they recognose this version from Brighton’s Richie Phoe?

In the post-New Year rush, more than happy to agree with Gilles Peterson’s choice last week of Album Of The Week but this week, it must be Sun Circle’s debut Reborn?

The Imagined Village’s debut won many accolades including the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards but their latest, Empire And Love is definitely their best yet!

It’s been a long time since we’ve heard from the every excellent Dr. Rubberfunk but the start of 2010 finds him with a Trouble Woman!

To celebrate the UK arrival of Memory Tapes for a couple of live dates in the UK, here’s a ‘pocket sized’ single release that’s out on soon.

It’s that time of year when the printed and online press get obsessed with “the band you need to hear ” lists so we’re going to join in with throbbing beat dance popsters Neon Circus.

The second Agnes Milewski album Learn To Swim takes the listener on a journey across the limitless wonderland that is her mind

You know what they say about hot as toast? Well, Bullion is that hot and has made it onto ‘Ones to Watch 2010’ - trust me, he’s the gold standard.

Matthew Halsall sets the tone for jazz in 2009. This is music to chill with a loved one to, an early morning ipod journey to work soundtrack, or the score to a jazz dance in a little basement dive

The world of leftfield hip-hop neofolk is the realm of this 2econd Class Citizen and a world without his debut album A World Without would be a very second rate planet to be on indeed.

Hard to believe that these guys’ last release was with Malawian singer Easu Mwanwaya but don’t worry, Secousse All Stars is full of Afro-centric rhythms for the dancin’ season.

OMG! What is going on? This is absolutely incredible; The CB’s ‘Misdemeanour’ is Motown meets funk, soul and hip hop that’s just the bet jam for your festival buns.

Bush Doctors have got their PhD certificates from the Royal School of gynaecologists of breaks with this bit of dancefloor goodness.

Canada’s Queen of Sleaze turns up to the party with the most appropriately entitled anthem ever; she is white, trashy and (not naturally) blonde!

Stanley Brinks (aka Andre Herman Dune) teams up with The Wave Pictures for his new single ‘End Of The World’ released on Ciao Ketchup.

“Would you go and see a band called The Boombombs?” I don’t think so either but I would like to see The So So Glos - especially as their new mini-album has the promising title of Tourism / Terrorism.

This track has been picked up by 6Music and Kiss but mention of an Aaron Jerome remix and “21st Century beats fused effortlessly with exotic gypsy flavours, tango rhythms and timeless Sufi Soul” and FLY Global Music won’t be far behind.

If you’ve ever been moved by a J-Rocc mix, if you’ve ever been amazed by a sample expert like Madlib, The Clonious or Kira Neris, if you just like lots of different types of music, The Music Scene is the album of the year.

Perhaps the title of his album Pending actually best describes an eary, downtempo, electronic ambiance that is ‘Pending’; but can Hectic do better than that?

It’s been a while since I’ve been seduced by anything on the Laboratory Instinct label, but this double CD set of selected works by Nikakoi is something that’s quite different and not to be ignored.

When Gilles Peterson played a new Osunlade track on his show last night, you could almost hear the folks say, “is that Osunlade?”

Not content with pulling off album of the year, can Emanative really have got the double with EP of the year?

Frankie Knuckles and Eric Kupper are back on form with a ‘Come Back’ by Sophia May that’s big enough to make anyone nervous.

For some folks Christmas can’t come soon enough but here’s something that will even make bar humbugs happy as Strut get some real groovin’ tunes on this brand new compilation.

The term ‘anthem’ is much overused but if you’ve got Yolanda on vocals, you’re a step ahead of the game and if you add the dubstep perfection of Pinch - ‘Get Up’ fits the anthemic bill.

Now this is the best compilation of the year, just fantastic in every respect.

Wow! Those boys at Soundway are really too good for us folks as here’s the third release in the Panama! series and there’s a hell of a fire down below.

The latest signing to Cake Records march out with a debut EP, The Troop, are they ready to do battle?

With the 30th Anniversary tribute album reminding us how good ZE Records was, this Re-edit package show us how good the label (and the music) still is - Strut do it again.

We’ve had so many great dance floor centred mix CDs of late, could Watergate04 be as good as Watergate03? And who is Sebo K?

The Brazilian jazz equivalent of “dolphins, seals, birds, fish, sharks, cliffs, moonlight, glassy water” is The Wave; that means it’s another Far Out Recordings slab of excellence.

“Conceived and executed in Nottingham” is the proud boast of this debut CD on the Oeuvre label and it proves there’s more going on in the city’s bedrooms than you might think.

South African vocalist Miriam Mekeba was known as “Mama Afrika” and this beautiful double CD of her best work is a fitting celebration of life in music.

It’s time to be nervous as Frankie Knuckles is in the mood to get some Motivation and you will too when you here this!

Crimea X brings us the second instalment of their nu-Balearic Italo-cosmic disco as funded by the “NASA of Sound”, Hell Yeah Recordings.

If this Ghana Special was a train, you would not want to get off as this is the highlife of Ghana in the 70s (plus a little bit either side) that is proper Afro-Sounds and Ghanaian Blues!

I’ve been having the “What is Jazz?” conversion quite a bit lately and then this week, we get CD/DVD set of Poly Styrene and the X-Ray Spex live concert from last year - Is this Jazz?

This week my specs got damaged but I really thought I was seeing things when this one turned up, could that really be Kleeer on Eglo Records?

Fancy some autumnal sunshine and great free music then you should be here at Womad’s Gran Canaria festival!

In these days of global warming apocalypse warnings, what we need is a Solar Life Raft for emergencies, luckily DJ /rupture and Matt Shadetek are here to rescue us.

With a live show at Cargo on the 19th November, it’s time we had some love from the magnificent Build An Ark; yes - yes!

For fans of the Tal M. Klein, this is going to be a bit of a surprise in some ways as nearly everything he’s done to date is so FLY; but Magical Horses sees him take off.

Caravan Recordings is a forward looking label and have released some of the best electronic music over the past couple of years, could their new signing Emptyset be an exception; I don’t think so.

The one thing that Unbalanced isn’t, that’s unbalanced but it’s so powerful, it moves tectonic plates with bass.

Back in the day, a t-shirt with the Nervous Record label logo on it was the hipest street wear in town; thankfully the records were rather good too but is there anyone better to have a session with than Danny Krivit?

With the press full of Michael Caine this weekend, there’s no better single to look at than Jah Wobble’s latest, the cover version of ‘Get Carter’.

You may know Filewile from their recent EP Number One Kid but Mouthwatering Records have a winner with the album Blueskywell.

The last in the trilogy of tribute albums called Dillanthology is even more proof that James Yancey’s untimely passing was such a great loss to the world in so many respects.

Spreading the word about Hudson Mohawke has been as easy as a hot knife cutting through butter over the last couple of years but has his debut album come to a sticky end (or should that be loop)?

French-Algerian four-piece Speed Caravan is the brainchild of oud virtuoso Mehdi Haddab, whose other groups - DuOud and Ekova - have also fused the Arabic lute (electrified) with cutting edge contemporary sounds. However compared to DuOud’s experimental 2009 release, Ping Kong, Kalashnik Love is a blast of anger that reveals Haddab’s radical side.

To take liberties with a well known tune, you could say “New York, Addis, London, Munich everyone’s talkin’ about Ethio-jazz music”.

So granted, Gabriel Prokofiev is a visionary, experimentalist and all round clever bloke but if you are about to attempt a ‘Concerto For Turntables & Orchestra’, you couldn’t have picked a more suitable double act of DJ Yoda & The Heritage Orchestra to do it.

The latest edition in the Inspiration Information series finds the original beat of Afro-beat Tony Allen paired with the cosmic saxophonist from Finland, Jimi Tenor.

Next year will be dominated by all things South African but I can’t wait and as “Best Female Vocalist” Thandiswa Mazwai is releasing her latest album, let’s kick off now.

For students of all things theology, you’ll know that on the fourth day it all got a bit elemental and here’s some space inspired beats from a man who is out there, Mr. Beatnick!

Koby Israelite’s fifth album is no back handed tribute to the hot dog Papaya King’s of New York; no, King Papaya is in a world of its own.

We’ve got Leo Gandleman to thank for this as it was his foresight to make the call to his musician chums in 1999 to record some Brazilian inspired boogie as the Brazilian Groove Band as they got down to explore the Anatomy Of Groove.

Ursula Bogner isn’t exactly a household name compared to, say, the BBC Radiophonic Workshop but the rare discovery of her DIY set up makes this album even more remarkable?

Omar Puente is a regular on the pages of FLY, but From There To Here is actually his debut album and it couldn’t come soon enough; produced by a certain Fitzgerald Courtney Pine OBE no less.

Noel McKoy is best known as the vocalist with Acid Jazz legends The James Taylor Quartet but if you want soul, you’ll want Brighter Day.

This year our man on the ground is James Barrie, aka the Global Souljah. Join him as he checks out the best of this global scene and then drinks all the free wine

“Without our stories or our songs, how will we know where we come from?” The lines from Show of Hands favourite ‘Roots’ sum up a central tenet of the Show of Hands creed.

Students of Norwegian nu-disco will know that Ytre Rymden Dansskola translates as ‘Outer Space Dance School’ and their self-titled debut album, is an education!

So we finally come to the last in this Disco Discharge set and perhaps Gay Disco & Hi NRG is the epitomy of the three previous versions rather than a genre inself; but if it is, it’s time of come out of the disco closet.

When worlds collide sometimes you get something unusually magical. And guess what? Saiyuki is such magic.

There debut album was Mercury-nominated so for a jazz band’s follow-up, Isla has been getting much attention for your more popular press; and even better than that, it’s fantastic!

They say, “Part techno, part jazz, part house - boundary blurring bomb from German dons” and I can’t argue with that; just watch it go off.

We know Mixmag loves Future Disco and the like, but you can at least double that when it comes to Claude VonStroke. So can you imagine what they think of his latest album, Bird Brain?

Future Disco brings together the best of the new exponents of disco from Hercules & Love Affair to original DJ innovators like Greg Wilson as the The Extended Future Disco Mix is a new experience of quality disco dance.

The Ninja Tune label have a bit of an obsession with dark, moody, cinematic, bass heavy albums and yes, thankfully Let The Night Roar is another great one!

As the title and cover suggests, Suicide Beauty Spot reflects both the dark and lighter sides of Point B’s take on beats, 2-step and dubstep that’s a very individual outlook with lots to recommend it.

I can’t believe the original New Morning was released back early last year as it still sounds fresh as a ‘new moring’ so what’s with the Deluxe Edition re-issue? We’ll it’s lots more than a new sleeve, DON’T over look this one!

Fenech Soler announced themselves on the world six months ago and on Friday they are supporting Groove Armada on tour; and I’m not lying!

OK, so even if the cover is a bit scary and the title includes the dreaded ‘e’ word, there’s absolutely no connection to the extremes of Vision or Trash that have followed Euro in the past, this is proper Euro Disco!

One of the year’s undisputed highlights so far. A joy from beginning to end. Diverse, funky, challenging and fresh

Perhaps the one musical genre that got the ladies the overdue foothold into the music business post the nominal 60s diva appearances, it was the Disco Ladies. And here’s a proper double CD celebration on Harmless.

As this is on the Sound Way label with a sub-title of “Biguine, Afro & Latin sounds from the French Caribbean, 1964-74” can you imagine that this CD is totally excellent from start to finish? Well, I think I can say that it’s even better than that!

Thavius Black ensures that the hip-hop beat goes on with a debut album on Big Dada that’s his Dialogue.

The well informed will know that the literal translation of ‘forro’ is ‘party’ where like minded folks get together to have a good time and dance; so can Forro In The Dark light a candle to past masters?

Anti-Pop Consortium are back with a new label and a new album to light up hip-hop with some Fluorescent Black.

For those with good memories and sharp eyes (and ears) will recall that in-between the Rockers Hi-Fi, Lightning Head and BiggaBush tracks on Lion Head Compilation Volume One, there was a certain nugget by the Magic Drum Orchestra and now there’s the full In The Studio album out on Lion Head Recordings; time to bang the drum.

Happy Birthday to Tru-Thoughts, 10 years young, a major achievement for any independent record label especially in these turbulent time of falling record sales, thoughtless free loaders/uploaders and distributors going bust (which happened to the label last year).

Jazz and Milk is now officially THE reliable home of great soul, funk, jazz and Afrolatin breaks and I’m glad to report they are they are back with another welcome compilation full of dancefloor winners for those more groove-enlightened dance floors

Mary Anne Hobbs is now officially the queen of the electronic new school with her weekly radio show offering a portal to the freshest electronic experiments and cutting edge urban sounds from across the globe. Wild Angels is her third compilation for the cutting edge Planet Mu label and is another great album showcasing where new electronic music is at in 2009 and a good pointer to where it’s going.

Peter Kruder is a bit of a compilation king racking up six and seven figure sales with some of his previous outings and once you’ve listened to this album you’ll know why they sold so well. The concept with this private collection is that Peter Kruder invites us into his living room to listen to some of his favourite records. Great! Milk, two sugars, thanks Pete

Correct me if I’m wrong but I’m guessing that late 60s Estonian jazz pop folk doesn’t play a big part in your record collection? Well it’s time to change all that with this inspired re-issue from Wool Recordings of the genre fusing group of students known as Collage

Kelpe is back with a new album and it’s another studied exercise in lovingly stitched together beats with more references than Wikipedia

Architeq is a young Scotsman called Sam Ammand now based in London where, after a minimum amount of fuss and not a lot of previous form, he has just unleashed one of the most accomplished beat driven debut albums that I’ve heard in a while

You will know that Breakestra is the L.A. funk band “orchestra” that have been blowing up for over 10 years and their latest release is their debut album for the fantastic label Strut; and these guys will funk up from Dusk Till Dawn.

A double CD compilation mixed by James Hillard, Jim Stanton, Severino and Luke Howard speaks quality in itself and if you know how to party; this is Horse Meat Disco!

Since Impossible Ark Records started, not only have they shown a flair for modern jazz, they’ve also been very adventurous but no more so that with the strange faith and practice of Jeb Loy Nichols.

If you even wondered what a minimalist Talking Heads/David Byrne would sound like? Let The Kindness smother you with their debut single, ‘Swingin Party’.

After Gilles Peterson interviewed Bonobo (aka Simon Green) a couple of weeks ago on his Radio 1 show, on the basis of the first hearing of the forthcoming single, ‘The Keeper’; the album could be the best he’s ever done!

If the question is in the title, UMEK? The answer is in the name of the label, Hell Yeah! Once again, the pride of Italy introduces us to another expert in dance floor excellence via the mixing and selection abilities of techno icon UMEK.

Here’s one of the premier jazz pianists is an unusually setting of a trio on an album with a load of cover versions (and a daft title) but this is not old news.

I’ve been promising loads of disco for a couple of week and to paraphrase the house scene moto, it’s “Disco, Disco and more fantastic Disco”; all dance to the disco discharge as this is Classic with a capital C.

Calexico’s guitarist records solo album with his mates in Arizona and it sounds as good as you’d expect, a fantastic debut for DePedro!

This cat has got the cream with this slow groover called ‘Winterslow’ that’s out on Playtime that’s as much fun as a big ball of string and a scratin’ post.

The truth is, we’re liking The Heavy more every time we hear them and this new single does fail us on that score.

It’s claimed by the record label that they persuaded Italian electronic musician Phonat to swop living in Florence for the delights of a bed-sit in London’s East End with just his guitar and PC for company; two years on, Phonat the album is proof it was all worthwhile.

Twisted Tongue have the spirit of 70’s funk and psych soul in their veins so there’s no surprise that the debut album is coming out on the Acid Jazz label.

Even by Eskimo Recordings’ high standards, Cosmic Balearic Beats Vol. 1 was a bit special so they’ve surpassed themselves with Cosmic Balearic Beats Vol. 2; its time to dance.

Kaloomé follow up the 2004 debut album Sin Fronteras with 13 tracks drenched in Catalan heritage that’s De Otro Color.

Now anyone who thought they heard Deborah’s vocals on the Gilles Peterson show the other week would be spot on, but now you’ve got the chance to hear as well as see, The Light.

Now when Gilles Peterson drops the latest track by Jazztronrik, like he did the other week, it’s going to get this office a little excited so it proved to be the track of the night; Disco : Boogie at its best; we love you Ryota!

Ol’ big ears is back with his partner in crime as Deadmau5 and Melleefresh crave you attention.

Now, how cool is a name like diskJokke? It’s got all the mysticism of Scandinavia and the pun on Disc Jockey; Tony Blackburn/Chris Molyes need not apply as this guy is hot with his new Moshi Moshi single, Rosenrød.

Admittedly the cover is a little scary and for an album that starts with a track called ‘Army Of Misfits’, can previous outings with R&B royalty like The Roots, J*Davey, Erkyah Badu and Common (to name just a few), find love rather than war on this new album from The Rebel Yell?

Referencing Star Wars and Star Trek in an opening song is surely not a wise move?

I’m just dropping off to sleep a minute into the first track of Led Bib’s latest album - all dirgy and ponderous bass and piano and a touch of whispery sax - and wondering why I’m bothering, when all hell breaks loose and I realise I’ve been drawn into the false sense of security of a first time log flume rider.

With “the saviour of world music” on keyboards, that’s Damon Albarn, the new single from Amadou et Mariam keeps the duo at the top of thier superstar status.

Madrid based imprint, Vampisoul return to their roots with the second collection of Spanish soul, r’n’b and funk from the mid 60s to the early 70s.

Bosnian singer Ljiljana Buttler is hailed in many quarters as one of the great re-emerged voices of gypsy and Balkan soul, and her startlingly low and darkly evocative voice again astonishes on this collection of sevdalinka and Balkan folk songs.

Recorded in Lyall Bay, Wellington and recently showcased live at WOMAD, the best reggae, dub, soul, jazz band in the world present their latest album… and its a grower.

Oh! how we love a track with ‘horn’ in the title? And then combined with ‘rash’, it makes it unbeatable for us; but then Nick Verwey’s debut is out on the Playtime label.

Alarm Will Sound are a 20-member group described by the New York Times “one of the most vital and original ensembles on the American music scene,” so with a debut release on the Nonesuch label, a/rhythmia was an essential listen this month.

We find Wave Machines somewhere between Arctic Monkeys and the Big Chill as Liverpool’s likeliest look for their punk spirit in a catchy sing-a-long.

We love culture from marginalised communities around the world, but what of our own? 100 metres from where I write this, Roma live in a crook of a flyover, their children had never known asthma until they were moved there. Some of their fellow children have been involved in writing a book for other children to enjoy

With the Mercury Prize nomination, there’s no more apt single title than ‘Better Days’ for the latest star of hip-hop, Speech Debelle!

Any track with the lyrics “much too hectic” is going to get my ears a throbbing and here’s the ‘First Lesson’ on the remix with Juice Aleem, MCcccccccccccccAhhhhhhh Superstar!

James Yorkston, master of deadpan delivery folk, puts aside his own lyrical musings for reinterpretations of traditional folk tunes in the inventively titled, umm, Folk Songs

Brecon Jazz Festival is now all about the music and it shows. We went off to Wales to see for ourselves

Zombies and Woodstock were at the centre of the first day of this years’ Big Chill Festival that this year is celebrating its 15th Birthday and was hoped to be the best yet!

The festival experience isn’t what it used to be. Spending a lost weekend in a god-forsaken muddy field, dining on overpriced chips from a cardboard carton and watching an ageing rocker on a big screen is no longer the only way to do festivals

Tired of lugging those 12s around in your box? Need a handy CD with all your favourite R.E.-Edits on plus an exclusive new track? R.E.-Edits Volumes One To Five is just what you need!

Elecktralux have nothing to do with a certain “major appliances and home care products” corporation but will they miss out on vacuuming up with their debut single?

Even if the idea that ZE have been hot for 30 years is a bit of a non-sense, when they were hot, they were scorching as this new compilation proves.

So we’ve got a follow up to Session 1 as The Herbaliser (in their ‘Band’ incarnation) take forward thinking hip-hop further into jazz, funk, soul soundtrack; huge album!

This you’ve never heard ..now here this..the sounds you’re about to hear, can be devastating to your ear…We Here You is the pride of Planet Mu.

Wow! This is an incredible debut solo album by Juice Aleem who won’t be unknown for much longer, this is Mercury Prize winning material!

I like multi genre producers the best. There has to be sense in keeping your ears and mind open whilst knowing your roots. Not only does genre hopping and moving with the times keep you fresh and young, listening only to drones or house kick drums your whole life music must send you a bit mad eventually and I for one need to look after my few remaining brain cells.

This is an album of two halves

If you’ve had any interest in modern bass line music the last couple of years then there has been no escaping the justifiable rise and rise of the floppy haired Sheffield youngster, Toddla T

Gondwana is my jazz label discovery of this year. A brand new independent label hailing from Manchester they have just released their second album, a spiritual jazz opus from little known sax stalwart Nat Birchall

Karizma remembers the days when DJs had to be versatile and play a range of styles from soul and hip hop to funk and reggae and despite his early house obsession and rising popularity in the still green world of UK funky this album is a reflection of a beat loving eclectic soul.

Obba Supa make tunes for the hip hop community who know who The Last Poets and Mike Ladd are rather than those concerned with putting big rims on their cars. I’m also guessing this album was conceived mainly when the world was sleeping in a smoky studio using old Elvin Jones records as skinning up trays.

Yep, it’s that time of the year when summery summer sonics often have a Tour de France reference. And this is the best of this years’ bunch from the Memory Tapes is ‘Bicycle’.

Once more our favourite rickshaw captain steers us around the world on a globetronica trip of his own favourite beats.

This is such an all-winner! It’s been a “go to” track since this time last year with plays on Gilles Peterson’s Radio 1 so it’s definitely about time we had some nightlife!

Given that this was only its fourth outing, Latitude Festival is much more firmly established than it has right to be, but it is not hard to see why. Few summer festivals can offer a setting as bucolically beautiful as Suffolk’s finest.

Fulgeance is the French wiz of the MPC and his releases on Musique Large found him fans from far and wide; included the guys at One Handed who went that one step further and here’s the debut Smartbanging EP for the label.

The debut release from this multi-faceted cross-cultural collective from Newcastle-upon-Tyne is one of the most surprising and consistently engaging treats of the year.

With Gilles Peterson celebrating 10 years at the BBC and Far Out Recordings having a 15th birthday celebration, what better party animal partnership is there to bring you this compilation of the finest Brazilika there is?

Yet another superb double CD from the master chefs at the Supperclub, this time mixed By DJ Marcello.

The geek fact about this album was that it was recorded from start to finish on 2” analog tape but is that enough for Rob da Bank’s latest signings on Sunday Best as they release their debut album?

This is a debut vinyl EP of “rock edges and quick edits, Japanese progressive epicness and a heavy dose of Fela Kuti inspired eternal groove. East African guitar practise hotwired to Zappa-like subversions” - YEAH!

Electro popsters from Paris, Koko Von Napoo follow up last years’ debut single ‘Polly’ with with a 4-track EP called ‘June’.

The top tracks on this CD are ‘1985’ and ‘Arp’ so you’ve got a fairly good idea where Ryan Lee West is coming from?

A swamp-ape from panhandle Florida, Michael Johnson arrived in Philadelphia to teach music technology at a downtown arts university; thankfully he had enough spare time to work on a number of projects including Ape School.

The Ninja Tune label have never been afraid to go out on a limb when it comes to genre mixing from a turntable culture and sample happy hip-hoppy trip so there could be no better home for DJ Food’s latest experiment, One Man’s Weird Is Another Man’s World!

With a gig lined for Dingwalls on Wednesday, it’s time to return to Addis with the astonishing sound of Dub Colossus.

The nu-Balearic future begins right here with the sound of Italo duo Crimea X who take us on a round trip of electro cosmos courtesy of the crew at Hell Yeah Recordings.

If you’ve not come across Brackles, now’s the time for some forward thinking as this is his debut 12” release comes on the ever cutting edge Planet Mu.

Young Swedish singer Sofia Jannok has a voice as clear as the Nordic air she sings about with such wistful warmth on this evocative album.

Born in South Africa, a doctor by profession, and former lead singer of a rock band, Katia Guerreiro has perhaps taken a slightly different route to Fadista stardom.

‘Mercy’? Yep, it’s a cover of the summer pop hit by Duffy from last year but this version is so much better.

What would it be like to be sixteen again? What would Screaming Jay Hawkins give to be sixteen again? The Heavy give us some sort of clue on a huge summer hit.

Ninja Tunes’ off-shoot label, Counter Records are raising the bar of late and they are at it again with a new EP from Ape School.

Even if you had no idea that this double a sided single was on Sunday Best, you could guess that this would satisfy the finely tuned ear of Rob da Bank; he being the head of Sunday Best.

Yet more bangin’ electro house funk so you’re either going to love it, hate it, kiss it or kill it; and if you don’t, you can just Fukkk Offf!

Cromagnon on ESP! That’s what I thought but it’s not Cro-magnon so the question now is, has extremes of NY psych-no-wave of 1969 lasted the test of time?

naRa means ‘a fire’ in Arabic but will Serenity get Hectic as hot as a July?

Craig and Von Oswald might not have invented reworking classical music but I guessed their album would inspire loads of other musicians to re-assess the old masters, and here’s one by Private Domain.

Here’s a winning combination, the Strut label is one of the UK’s leading record labels dedicated to unearthing the lost gems of dance music and DJ Cliffy, is one hell of a DJ that’s dedicated to finding dusty samba grooves for today’s dancefloor; say no more, it’s Black Rio 2 (Original Samba Soul 1971-1980).

Heavy, industrial, darkstep, dupstep - what! Legion Of Two is a new project of Alan O’Boyle and David Lacey in an electronics vs. live drums collaboration that is all about Riffs.

Pepe Bradock is a French musical maverick who doesn’t follow trends and has uncompromisingly ploughed his own house music furrow since the early 90s to emerge as one of the true originals of the genre

Another hot single from our favourite husband and wife pairing from Mali, the unbeatable Amadou & Mariam with a couple of killer remixes.

The review of this in NME this week by legend of New York no wave, jazz poetry and spoken word, wasn’t too glowing; Hectic redresses the balance a little.

The latest Roots Manuva single is one of the album’s big tracks, ‘Do Nah Bodda Mi’ along with Roots Manuva meets Wrongtom, Xrabit and Redlight versions.

It’s been some time since we’ve had some proper old skool space-beat hip hop so it was brilliant to find that ESL’s latest signings, Ancient Astronauts have finally got their spaceship shape for the debut album with a collection of legendary old and new friends as they are to answer.

Charlie GIllett scoops up yet again the tracks you loved but never got round to owning and those that would otherwise have entirely slipped past you unnoticed like so many logs floating down the Niger in the middle of the night

When your Dad is as well known and in the public eye as much as Kyle Eastwood’s, what can you do to when those are such huge footsteps to follow? What about being a professional jazz bassist?

You’ve got to hand it to TIRK, they could never be accused of sticking to any formula as The Time And Space Machine are well off their usual radar.

“This album of wigged-out psychedelic next-level hip hop beats will appeal to fans of beatsmiths like Jay Dee and Madlib!”

We know about Cookin’ on 3 Burners but who’s this girl called Kylie Auldist?

The Mars Volta are on tour in Europe promoting the new album at the moment and what do you think, the same as the last one?

If you’ve read the latest edition of Jungle Drums you’ll have spotted we’ve review all the album they have apart from this one which they didn’t like too much; will the Cubanistas fare any better on the FLY sound system with Hectic?

We love Lizzy Parks and whilst This And That is a collection of this and that, in some ways it’s all the better for it; how’s that you say?

This album explores the combination of the traditions of flamenco, comtemporay jazz and orchestral arrangements; could that possibily work?

Back on Planet Mu, after some detours of late into the lands of acid rave, dupstep and the bass scene, the New Folder gets us back into techno and IDM with an unusual flip.

Veteran German pianist Joachim Kühn is not the first free-jazz artist to look to North Africa for inspiration — sax legend Archie Shepp recorded with Algerian and Tuareg musicians at the Pan African Festival — but to find such an electric collaboration between two such distinct musical worlds is exciting

This is the single of the week, rather EP as the previously unknown Parallel Dance Ensemble re-incarnate a ESG, Liquid Liquid, Tom Tom Club crossbreed.

Its official, Prog Rock is back and it’s hip; of course nobody wants to be labelled ‘prog’ ever lone the next Rush, Genesis, Yes or Supertramp. So I won’t, but I think you’ll find others will.

If you look at the vast array of contributors to Ojos de Brujo’s fourth album, you might be forgiven for expecting another over-ambitious and slightly over-egged release in the mould of its predecessor Techari. Such fears prove unjustified. Aocaná finds the Catalan band back in fine form

The mighty Dub Pistols are back with a new album that’ll satisfy you thirst as it’s been a couple of years since Speakers & Tweeters; and you can make mine a double!

Modeselektor’s buddy Siriusmo personally invited himself to be the very first artist on Monkeytown Records and what a smart move that was for all concerned.

Here’s something from the edge of the pool off, John and Peter Sampson, Andrew Wright, Jonathon Spittlehouse and Blake Pearson (aka Swimming) were personally invited by Emily Eavis to play at Glastonbury last year after a digital release on Brighton’s Izumi Records, it time to preview the debut album.

Yet another monster release from Hell Yeah Recordings as “East Berlin’s perennial bad boy” gets his hands on some classic house that you won’t be able to resist.

They both possess impressive CVs when it comes to collaborations, and this charming, eloquent mix of Indian and US roots music will surely take its place amongst the most satisfyingly creative results for both artists

Nippon Nik ‘Mukatsuku’ Weston swops continents as he’s sigined up some sons of Afrobeat so we we are plesed to report, The Spirit Of Fela Is Alive & Well!

Don’t let the cover fool you, this is a heavy CD for those jazz dancers; this is sambalanço!

Some stories never get to be told properly. At last ours has been.

Milanese (aka Steve Milanese) is a big name in “Bass Music” and the producer from London knows one or two of our favourite baseline homeboys!

When Little Boots burst onto the scene at the start of the year, it looked like we had a new electro popster who could walk the golden mile; a less than glowing review in the metro got me interested enough to check it out the debut album for myself.

This summer the ground breaking dance duo Orbital will be appearing at some big festivals and are undertaking their own UK headline tour. And along with that comes a double CD of their most well known tracks plus some new mixes to celebrate 20 years; Orbital 20.

Their first album Eletrificação was released in 2004 and as good things come to those who wait, this is a 12” three track “teaser” for the new A Bossa Elétrica album.

This album was the talk at Phonica Records this week, well whilst I was there at any rate, so what’s Konrad Black up to in Berlin?

Fans of Tru-Thoughts with instantly recgonise Shapes 09:01 as a Robert Luis labour of love with the massive 29 track double CD showcasing all what’s best about the label and its wide range of artists.

Once more The Voodoo Trombone Quartet produce an album of upbeat joyous funky reggae pop sounds to get you in a happy frame of mind; all bow to the VTQ…and again!

We’ve loved everything on One-Handed Music that they’ve released so far and now they’ve release their first album by their prime dreamer, Paul White.

General Midi plugs in the leads for the new album as he starts Operation Overdrive with the latest gear crashing single, ‘Four Million Ways’.

“Consious rap failed us” he proclaims at the start of the latest album by Busdriver but as one of our favourite rappers, Jhelli Beam is just what we need to re-affirm our faith.

“Big tunes include the skanking 8bit cod reggae pop perversion of ‘Check Out My Keychain” so you’d I’d Have To Be High not to want a remix 12”?

Pop goes Iggy on the retro-Detroit punk thrash, I say damn, police sign as Levi releases the first results from the recording the forthcoming album on a two track 7” single.

After the success of Light In The Attic’s first official reissue of Cold Fact, an album co-produced by Motown’s Dennis Coffey and Mike Theodore and featuring members of legendary Motown players The Funk Brothers, they’ve dipped back into the Rodriquez back catalogue for another ‘lost’ gem, Coming From Reality.

Matching up a compilation of tracks from the first 20 releases of Finders Keepers Records with ace producer, DJ and all-round Dublab expert The Gaslamp Killer is not only a good idea, its now a fantastic CD!

To imitate Charlie Gillett last week, to be honest, I’ve been sitting on this one for a while with the expectation that the remix version wouldn’t be too good as I didn’t particularly enjoy the original version that was a bit sub-Blur vs. Madness (first time around and not there respective current Lords of the Festival greatness); but what was I thinking?

If you were getting concerned that after the singles that there wouldn’t be much left for the debut album by Speech Debelle, don’t be as the Speech Therapy continues.

Yet another essential compilation album that concentrates on the 60s-70s but this time it’s hot out of Panama on the always excellent Soundway label.

Viagem 2 is the next in a series of DJ compiled albums celebrating 50 years of Bossa Nova (circa 1962-1970) selected by Blue Note & Schema recording artist and all round man of cool, Nicola Conte.

It’s about time the Drumattic Twins realeased a follow up to their Drumattical album and Hammer & Tongs is it; unsurprisingly, they go at it Hammer & Tongs from the start!

It’s the bloke with the ears and they are so tuned into what moves the big room, he’s back with the vocal talents of Billy Newton-Davis to give you 12 inches of all you ever wanted in your dreams!

Hip-hop funks and breaks is what these guys are into and when they say more, they mean more guests on the album than is reasonable to expect.

Banks, Institutions, Relgion, Industry, Army; nobody escapes the Blatta & Inesha ‘Revolution’ (as aided by Congorock) as they prepare to blow it all up!

Following on from the ‘One By One’ EP but before the release of 2econd Class Citizen’s new album Madrugada, here’s a 5-track remix 12” of ‘Step Inside’.

A special 7” taster from Deborah Jordan on Futuristica Music before a new 12” of remixes and the debut album, it’s all happening for the girl from the sunny south coast.

Already requested by WAWA for a future Universal Music compilation, Tom Belton latest single ‘Irresistible’ is just that, irresistible!

The release of the King Roc debut album Chapters was a big winner in the FLY offices but this set of remixes if definitely for where King Roc made his name, in the clubs and on the dancefloor.

This is been a big one we’ve been waiting for as Toddla T gets a full album release on 1965 Records; but be warned, there’s nothing mid 60s about this at all!

Speech Debelle has been getting some great reactions to her new single, ‘Go Then, Bye’ but she’s not going to get rid of her new fans that easily.

Whilst the dubstep forums have had this one on their radar for a while, there’s much more to this album than you’d usually find in a Croydon basement.

With news of a Jazz dance festival coming soon, there’s been no better time for the European launch of Ray Harris & The Fusion Experience album that’s exactly that, the full fusion experience!

We’ve been keeping an eye on the Bear Funk label for a while and this new 12” from Soirée is definitely one of their best.

The King is still on his thrown but there’s a new crew in the Spanish court and all without a revolution; what is Hectic on about?

Being prolific by name and prolific by nature, MJ Cole exploded into the UK garage scene as the ‘garage man’ so it’s about time that the label was re-launched and what a better way that a new single that you’ve just gotta have it.

With a full UK/Euro/World tour to coming up, Fink will be performing songs from his new album Sort Of Revolution and it’d be a good idea to catch him before he gets even bigger than he already is.

K-Scope (aka Geoff Woolley) has been a longstanding project releasing quality tunes on various labels like Earth Records, Cookin’ Records, Further Out Records and now, the latest EP now 4Lux out of Holland.

A debut single from the new project by Annabel (lee) featuring Richard E is out on Monday and it’s well up to their high standards

Bassline warriors unite. Senseless Records have just dropped two CDs of bass bin battering dubstep, dancehall, grime, bassline and garage vocals and versions to make your granny’s teeth rattle and they weren’t even born anywhere near Croydon

Gilles Peterson was only last week moaning about the lack of soundtrack releases these days and whilst there’s a football element to this, based on the book Run With The Pack by Kevin Sampson, you wouldn’t have thought the post-punk soundtrack would be his thing?

An absorbing evening of Chinese music with central Asian folk origins in London’s delightful Union Chapel to close The Barbican’s intriguing Beyond The Wall programme of new Chinese music.

WhoMadeWho are determined to put me in my place with this catchy grower that’s coming out soon - but what’s ‘Keep Me In My Plane’ about?

Hard to keep the lid on the box of this EP as our favourite Chilean’s of the moment give us another 4 great tracks.

Not really known for big vocal deep house, Freerange Records have found a big one hear with ‘Will Be Mine’ that truly deserves that 12” extension as it’s BIG!

89 is the sum of many musical parts welded together in idiosyncratic style by New York musical maverick, producer and drummer Chad Curlow. Comparisons to Pharrell and Beck, although partly justified, also do him a disservice as his sound occupies its own unique corner of the sonic spectrum defying easy categorisation and I for one like it loads

27 Devils actually consists of 14 tracks so I’m thinking the title might relate to Flevans exercising his love of samples and moving to a full live instrumental; whatever it is, he’s back at his Tru-Thoughts ‘home’ with a stunning album of funk, soul and jazz.

Lo Recordings are back with another collection of cosmic disco rays entitled, in true Hollywood style, Milky Disco II and it’s a fine collection of interstellar musical collisions reflecting the diversity and energy of the cosmic disco scene in recent times

Fans of DJ Vadim will be more than the master has lost none of his imaginashun after his recent illness, even if his spelling is bad, U Can’t Lurn Imaginashun is well up to his musical standard with loads of special guests.

When you’d mention “Boomshadow” in the circle of Nino Moschella and his friends it was an in-joke for a fictional super hero to come and save anybody from whatever the problem was; and if you’re problem is a lack of proper funk and soul, his sophmore album Boom Shadow is here to save you.

If you told me a few weeks ago that we would be reviewing an album that “draws on a cultural heritage that took in My Bloody Valentine alongside hip hop and which is heavily influenced by various forms of electronic music, psychedelic soul and rock” I’d have said, I don’t think so; but Yppah’s second album is not one to dismiss so lightly.

Dub Pistols was founded by Barry Ashworth in 1996 and spent much of the past 10 years releasing breaks, big beat, dub, reggae, house on Distinct’ive Records but this latest single is the preview for the sophomore album coming out on Sunday Best and it’s brilliant.

The mellow side-project of Guillermo Scott Herren (better known as Prefuse 73) and this is his first Savath y Savalas release on Stones Throw Records and this llama is up in the Spanish mountains having a bit of a chill-out.

Homecut won’t be news to the good folk of the Leeds hip-hop community, but freedom only comes with the sacrifice of hard work and with this album, he shows that he’s put in the graft to gain get the freedom to preach his words.

Psychedelic indie rock from Nottingham? This is one of the surprises of the year so far!

With the 30th anniversary of 2-tone, The Specials reforming and Madness announcing Madstock, it seems like a good time to check out the young upstarts that are The Voodoo Trombone Quartet that are powered by the prevailing winds of ska.

General Midi leads from the from the front with his latest statement of intent, Four Million Ways that’s going to blow up.

The second album from Berlin’s Russian émigrés takes us further into a dark and atmospheric world where post-Communist languor meets arch bohemian East German cabaret.

With a little help from their friends, the Easy Star All-Stars’ latest album takes on The Beatles much respected Sgt. Pepper´s Lonely Hearts Club Band for their own brand of retro reggae re-make.

Now, when I bumped into Gilles Peterson last week (prepare yourselves for his new haircut), I suggested the winner of album of the year. Like the old sage he is he replied, “We’ll see”. Now, was he thinking of Raphael Saadiq’s album that he was raving about last week? Well, I’m now thinking it’s another one of his favourite artists, Emanative’s debut Space!

Last year Mr. Westbeech was everywhere but so far this year, there’s only been a couple of singles but they’ve both been brilliant and what with Kraak & Smaak on production, quality is guaranteed.

Will the album coming soon, here’s yet another great single put together with Toddla’s pals Herve and Serocee.

Ken Hayakawa was born in Salzburg but clearly has heritage from Japan, perhaps that’s why he feels ‘Outside The Walls’?

Sean Worthington “Worthy” Williams and John McIver (aka Worthy & Yankee Zulu) get on the Bad Side with a extended play in playtime.