The debut album from Flying Lotus – kind of a funkier, tighter, and more focused sound then the outer realm swelling vibes of the subsequent Los Angeles LP and the addendum EPs – very compelling, and strong little set. The beats splinter off and the rhythms are jittery and unpredictable, but he never takes away from a compelling, head nodding vibe over all. Very nice stuff from a beatmaker who gets better and better. Titles include the title track, "Sao Paolo", "Bad Actors", "Orbit Brazil", "Shifty", "Babble", "Pet Monster Shotglass", "Unexpected Delight" with future Long Lost chanteuse Laura Darlington, and more. CD

The debut album from Flying Lotus – kind of a funkier, tighter, and more focused sound then the outer realm swelling vibes of the subsequent Los Angeles LP and the addendum EPs – very compelling, and strong little set. The beats splinter off and the rhythms are jittery and unpredictable, but he never takes away from a compelling, head nodding vibe over all. Very nice stuff from a beatmaker who gets better and better. Titles include the title track, "Sao Paolo", "Bad Actors", "Orbit Brazil", "Shifty", "Babble", "Pet Monster Shotglass", "Unexpected Delight" with future Long Lost chanteuse Laura Darlington, and more. LP, Vinyl record album

Cosmic hip hop, moody keyboard funk, tripped out bits of strings, brass, rubbery bass grooves and gritty beats from Sa-Ra's uber creative partner Shafiq – and a record that rivals the best work of Sa-Ra proper! We long suspected that En'A Freek Ka would be a gem, and it does not dissappoint – going much deeper than we thought! The synth funk, cosmic keys, and splintering beats are here, but there's lots of fleshed out instrumentation in the mix that kicks it all a step deeper – lots of keys, soul jazz horns, and more, overall an a little grittier than the usual Sa-Ra vibe. Shafiq's voice floats in and out in kind of a cosmic narrator mode, and guests include Bilal, Jimetta Rose, Count Bass D, Om'Mas Keith & Stephen "Thundercat" Bruner and others. Titles include "Nirvana", The UN Plan", "Cheeba" feat Bilal, "Lil Girl", "Lost & Found" feat Jimetta Rose & Bilal", "No Moor", "All Dead", "Major Heavy" feat Sonny Coates & Count Bass D, "Evil Man", "Changes" feat Om'Mas Keith Stephen "Thundercat" Bruner, ":ove Still Hurts", "Egypt", "Rebel Soldier" and more. CD

A classic from the Bay Area scene – damn soulful hip hop from Kero One, an artist who's equally great in the studio as a producer! There's nothing forced or overdone here – and although the record's hip hop, there's plenty to appeal to the neo soul crowd as well – well-delivered rhymes from Kero, almost with the cadence of sung vocals – presented with live instrumentation that really enforces the warm soul of the set – especially when guitarist Vince Czekus lays down some great 70s-styled lines! Kero's definitely in the lead, but there's some nicely collaborative moments on the set too – thanks to appearances from Ohmega Watts, Tuomo, and Ben Westbeech. Titles include "Welcome To The Bay", "When The Sunshine Comes", "Goodbye Forever", "Keep Pushin", "Let's Just Be Friends", "Love & Happiness", "Bossa Soundcheck", "A Song For Sabrina", "I Never Thought That We", and "On & On". LP, Vinyl record album

A gem of a record from the mid oughties – but one that's got all the charm of some of the Native Tongues classics from farther back – thanks to a superb mix of jazz and hip hop from MC/producer Kero One! The album's maybe Kero's greatest calling card – a set that really does more with less – as the instrumentation draws just the right bits from some of the energy going on in the neo soul underground, including live keyboard and trumpet solos – blended with wonderful lyrics that push a positive agenda, but without hitting you over the head too much. The whole thing's got an instant classic vibe, and maybe sounds even better as the years go on than many of its contemporaries – with tracks that include "Give Thanks", "Musical Journey", "My Story", "In A Dream", "Ain't That Somethin", "Tempted", "In All The Wrong Places", "Keep It Alive!", "The Cycle Repeats", "Fly Fly Away", "It's A New Day", and "Check The Blueprints". Japanese pressing features a bonus track – "My Story (DJ Mitsu rmx)". LP, Vinyl record album