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Dark 80s electronics from X Ray Pop – a record that has all the freaky, fuzzy touches of some of the best work coming out of the North of England in the late 70s – but was recorded a few years later, and originally only issued as a limited edition cassette tape! That format is the only reason the record never got wider acclaim at the time – as it's a corker, and would easily have become one of the best-remembered electro-trash sets of the time – punky in attitude, but electro in presentation – and topped with some surprisingly sweet French language vocals from the lovely Zouka Dzaza. Doc Pilot handles all the keyboards and beats – and titles include "Chapeau Volant", "Bobby Bonbek", "Nana Electronique", "Nous Sommes", "Gogol Le Mongol", "Funky Cat", and "Cobaye".

Dark 80s electronics from X Ray Pop – a record that has all the freaky, fuzzy touches of some of the best work coming out of the North of England in the late 70s – but was recorded a few years later, and originally only issued as a limited edition cassette tape! That format is the only reason the record never got wider acclaim at the time – as it's a corker, and would easily have become one of the best-remembered electro-trash sets of the time – punky in attitude, but electro in presentation – and topped with some surprisingly sweet French language vocals from the lovely Zouka Dzaza. Doc Pilot handles all the keyboards and beats – and titles include "Chapeau Volant", "Bobby Bonbek", "Nana Electronique", "Nous Sommes", "Gogol Le Mongol", "Funky Cat", and "Cobaye".

Matthew Herbert never fails to amaze our ears, but he does so even more than ever on this stunning Big Band set! The album's more dynamic, more creative, and more experimental than any of Herbert's other work – hardly the slower, cinematic modes of some recordings – or the jazz-meets-groove styles of others – and instead a rich new palette of musical colors, one that pushes Matthew far far from the mainstream! The work's more orchestral than big band – complicated in tone and rhythm at times, but always finding a space for soul – either in solo instrumental passages, or in the great vocals on the record – sung by Eska Mtungwazi in a really beautiful style, echoing out brilliantly over the larger orchestrations – which themselves were recorded in the House Of Commons and London City Hall. Titles include "Pontificate", "The Yesness", "Battery", "Regina", "One Life", "Just Swing", "The Rich Man's Prayer", and "The Story".

Tosca have grown up a bit since we last heard them – getting a bit more subtle, and maybe even more soulful with their sound – maturing into a mellow groove that's a bit more textured than downtempo – peppered with vocals from a shifting array of singers who help further the sound. There's still plenty of the darkness you'd love from the group's previous records, and certainly none of the cheesiness you'd guess from the hat image on the cover – and titles include "Zur Gueten Ambiance", "Stuttgart", "In My Brain Prinz Eugen", "Cavallo", "Bonjour", and "Soda".

Tosca have grown up a bit since we last heard them – getting a bit more subtle, and maybe even more soulful with their sound – maturing into a mellow groove that's a bit more textured than downtempo – peppered with vocals from a shifting array of singers who help further the sound. There's still plenty of the darkness you'd love from the group's previous records, and certainly none of the cheesiness you'd guess from the hat image on the cover – and titles include "Zur Gueten Ambiance", "Stuttgart", "In My Brain Prinz Eugen", "Cavallo", "Bonjour", and "Soda".

Massive Attack member and selector supreme Daddy G comes correct with a mix set that shows the roots and the state of the art in the Bristol sound! Like other vinyl installments in the DJ Kicks series, this set isn't mixed, and it features a great lineup of cuts, including "Armagideon Time" by Willie Williams, "Non Non Non" by Melaaz, "Signs (dub plate mix)" by Badmarsh & Shri, "Aftermath (version 1)" by Tricky, "Mustt Mustt (Massive Attack rmx)" by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, "Here I Come (dubplate version)" by Barrington Levy, "Inspection (Check One)" by Leftfield, "I Against I" by Massive Attack & Mos Def and "Face A La Mer (Massive Attack rmx)" by Les Negresses Vertes.

Another nice set of wholly unique avant grooves from Dani Sicilano – with sweet vocals and a completely engrossing leftfield vibe from Dani – and production by Matthew Herbert and arrangements by Max De Wardener. The bubbling, thumping off kilter touches are wonderful – and done a really tuneful way! Many of the tracks were done with fairly standard instrumentation, but processed in a way to bring in a wonderful otherworldly vibe. Nice! Tracks include "Slappers", "Didn't Anybody Tell You", "They Can Wait", "Why Can't I Make You High", "Frozen", "Too Young", "Think Twice", "Big Time", "Repeats", "Wifey" and "Be My Producer".