A fantastic little set that looks at the huge wave of top-shelf AOR material recorded in recent years – part of a huge global re-awakening to the charms of the genre – often with results that are even groovier than the classic records of the 70s! One of the compelling things here is that the music isn't being made by big names on major labels – and instead is an almost-underground thing – but handled at a level that's completely faithful to the best Cali styles of the 70s – from sweet jazzy instrumentation right down to the perfect production styles to get the whole thing right. You'll recognize a few names here – and will hopefully discover a lot more too – as titles include "Tell Me" by William Sikstrom, "Quiet Storm" by Workshy, "Liberation Groove" by Incognito, "You Make My Life A Better Place" by Mamas Gun, "What You Deserve" by Chris Cauley, "See Me Slumber" by Young Gun Silver Fox, "Melt The Night" by Lucas Arruda, "All Smiles" by Jeremy Passion, "Walkin On Air" by Tomi Malm, "Good To Live" by Monkey House, "Thoughts" by Michael Carreon, "Dangerous" by Umii, "Hello Monday" by Briamarie, "The Greatest" by King, "Perish The Thought" by Ned Doheny, "Sweet Life" by Mike Champion, and "Don't Disturb This Groove" by Meshell Ndegeocello. (Funky Compilations, Neo Soul) CD

Miguel Migs has often skewed more towards the soulful side of the house and otherwise club groove sound, and he does so on an even deeper level with Outside The Skylike! This one features a diverse roster of guests – and an impressive one, too – Meshell Ndegeocello, Bebel Gilberto, Capleton, Lisa Shaw, Evelyn Champagne King, Aya, Lisa Shaw and more! Really impressive work from Miguel, with timeless club soul influences going into inventive club grooves of his own unique inspiration. Includes "Tonight" and "Close Your Eyes" feat Meshell Ndegeocello, "Breakdown" and "Lose Control" with Lisa Shaw, "The Distance and "Don't Stop" feat Aya, "Life" feat Half Pint, "Changin'"f eat Sonny J Jameson, "The System" feat Capleton, "Getaway" with Georg Levin, "Zuzu" with Bebel Gilberto and more. (New Grooves, Neo Soul) CD

A stunningly soulful Holiday set – one that goes way past the overplayed Christmas soul tunes of the 70s and 80s, and which has a lot fresher feel than a Christmas Slow Jams set as well! Most of the numbers here are contemporary, and are a mix of Neo Soul artists from the underground, and a few favorite voices from years past – all represented in a batch of tracks that are mighty darn great, and will help your December listening get way past "This Christmas" and Motown Holiday records! Titles include "Give Me A Star" by Bebe & Cece Winans, "Christmas At My House" by Rahsaan Patterson, "Thank You" by Ledisi, "Christmas Day" by Frank McComb, "It's Not Really Christmas" by Trina Broussard, "A Love Letter Christmas" by R Kelly, "Christmas Time Is Here" by Jeffrey Osborne, "Cold Winter In The Ghetto" by Lonnie Hill, "December 25th" by Rosie Gaines, "Christmas Love & You" by Will Downing, "A Kiss For Christmas" by Luther Vandross, and "Christmas Of Emotions" by Eddie Sea with Shauntia Toussaint. (Holiday Music, Neo Soul) CD