Kara Jackson has a really amazing voice – a range that goes nicely deep at all the right times, and which sounds especially strong here amidst the often lean but really effective instrumentation on the record – put together at a level that's very fresh and unexpected, especially in the way that acoustic guitar might be used upfront next to some more processed elements! That guitar seems to emphasize the honest quality in the very personal tunes put together by Jackson – a hell of a songwriter who almost makes you feel as if you've stumbled upon her working her craft on her own, overhearing things she might not be ready to share with the world. Yet by that, we don't mean that the album's unpolished – it's really well put-together, thanks to production help from Sen Morimoto, Nnamdi, and Kaina – on titles that include "Free", "Rat", "Therapy", "Dickhead Blues", "No Fun/Party", "Brain", "Pawnshop", "Liquor", and "Recognized". CD

Edbl's got some great friends here – a hip lineup that includes Myles Sanko, Sophie Faith, and others – all of whom bring in some great flavors to his wonderful production at the core! Edbl's nicely understated – clearly a lover of classic soul, funk, and jazz – but one who's also fused the whole thing together, then come up with this crispy, crackling vibe that's all his own! There's plenty of contemporary producers trying for the same thing, but Edbl really gets it right, and finds a way to really fly his own flag without ever tying himself too much to the past – as you'll hear on titles that include "Tell Me", "Too Much", "Temperature High", "Bossa", "Cold", and "Heist". CD features the bonus Japanese exclusive cut "Cafe 9". CD

Edbl's got some great friends here – a hip lineup that includes Myles Sanko, Sophie Faith, and others – all of whom bring in some great flavors to his wonderful production at the core! Edbl's nicely understated – clearly a lover of classic soul, funk, and jazz – but one who's also fused the whole thing together, then come up with this crispy, crackling vibe that's all his own! There's plenty of contemporary producers trying for the same thing, but Edbl really gets it right, and finds a way to really fly his own flag without ever tying himself too much to the past – as you'll hear on titles that include "Tell Me", "Too Much", "Temperature High", "Bossa", "Cold", and "Heist". LP also features the whole JPRK album – plus the Japanese bonus tracks "Postcard" and "Cafe 9". LP, Vinyl record album

Maybe the most fantastic record to date from the hands of Adrian Younge – a project done in collaboration with Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and one that features guest appearances from some of the musical giants who first inspired Dusty Groove many years Back! The core energy of the set comes from Younge and Muhammad – who are in a similar funky soul groove as their previous Midnight Hour recording serving up a blend of jazz and soul in a mode that clearly draws a lot of 70s inspiration, but which also has this very fresh, contemporary energy too. Yet there's also a strong difference here once each of the guests step into the mix – a stellar lineup that features alto from Gary Bartz, Fender Rhodes from Marcos Valle and Joao Donato, flute from Brian Jackson, drums from Ivan Mamao Conti, and Hammond B3 from the great Doug Carn – all players who really up the jazz ante for the record, and make the whole thing sound even deeper than most of Younge's other recordings. Titles include "Distant Mode", "Nancy Wilson, "Down Deep", "Apocaliptico", "Jazz Is Dead", "Hey Lover", "Nao Saia Da Praca", and "Conexao". (Deep Funk, Neo Soul) CD