A fantastic second set from keyboardist Joe Armon-Jones – a musician we first came to love in the UK-based Ezra Collective, and one who's now effortlessly bridging a space between jazz and soul! The record's got a vibe that's as cosmic as its cover – but one that comes not just through creative keyboard work, but from a great overall conception of the songs – so that Joe's music flows out with a warm style that embraces our ears, then takes us on a journey to the heavens! This isn't the usual keyboard jazz, with references heavy on the past – as Armon-Jones is as forward-thinking as his best contemporaries on the London scene. The set features great guest vocals from Georgia Anne Muldrow on the tune "Yellow Dandelion" – and other guest appearances by Nubya Garcia, Jehst, and Obongjayar – on titles that include "Try Walk With Me", "Gnawa Sweet", "Icy Roads", "To Know Where You're Coming From", "The Leo & The Aquarius", and "Self Love". (Jazz, Neo Soul) LP, Vinyl record album

A record that continues that journey past jazz that reedman David Boykin has given us on a few recent releases – an EP that features two surprisingly soulful cuts, yet which still have some great tenor solos as well! Manu Wise delivers some lyrics on "Calculations" – a cut that has this really wonderful slow-stepping, soulful glow –summed up wonderfully by David's tenor solo at the end! "Love In The Afternoon" is even cooler – a stepping funky number with vocals from a trio of singers and a bit of turntable work – really wonderful, and with a quality that's as if Strata East released a soul single back in the day! (Jazz, Neo Soul) CD

A stunning NuSoul debut from Chicago! Kevin Chandler's one of our best homegrown talents – a fantastic soul musician with equal talents in many quarters. He's a hell of a writer, a great singer, plays incredible keyboards and guitar, and seems poised to become one of the giants of 21st Century Soul! This debut CD is issued on Kevin's own label – and it sparkles like the best underground soul we've been stocking over the past few years. There's killer keyboards on nearly every track, a warmly snug fit with Kevin's deeply soulful vocals, creating a style that's got a bit of D'Angelo, but a lot more jazzy finish with touches of 70s funk and 80s groove! Kevin's lyrics are great – spiritual and positive, but without the cliches that you might find in other work of the same type. Great all the way through – and with tracks that include "Nommo", "Fearless Child", "So Far, So Good", "Friday", "The Journey", "Higher", "My Father's Son", "The Art Of Dreaming", "Breathing You In", and "When Ya Lovin Me". CD

That's a spooky cover on this single from Hiatus Kaiyote – and they definitely bring some of that energy to the title tune "Canopic Jar" – a track that begins with a bit of a horror introduction, and moves into some of the eeriest funky soul we've heard from the group! The tune's got a great heavy drum breakdown in the middle, peppered by vocal shrieks – and preceded by the cool intro track "Journey To The Crystal Tomb" – the followed by an instrumental and acapella track too. (New Grooves, Neo Soul) 12-inch, Vinyl record

A strongly soul-based set from Jose James – and a record that really pushes forward the amazing journey in music he's given us over his killer albums of the past decade or two! Jose already has a voice that's tremendous – but here he opens up his production skills as well, and has this way of blending together elements from soul, Brazilian music, and other global sources – but all with a majestic focus that's maybe even more powerful given how easy and organic his vocals sound! In a world of TV-trained younger singers who always try way too hard to show you how they can sound soulful, Jose James is still such a wonderful relief – demonstrated here on titles that include "Black Orpheus", "Dark Side Of The Sun", "Isis & Osiris", "Let's Get It", "Saturday Night", "38th & Chicago", and "Place Of Worship" – which features a great guest appearance from Brazilian singer Xenia Franca. CD

Khruangbin get a great new sound here – thanks to the vocals and acoustic guitar of Leon Bridges, who bring a whole new dimension to their music! The title and cover of the record are very well-put – as there's this open space to the record that's a bit different than previous outings by Khruangbin – still that aesthetic that lingers somewhere south, down near the border – but maybe more relaxed and letting itself flow down the road to some territory that's all its own – the marvelous vocals of Leon Bridges at the wheel, with the rest of the group well-tuned to make the journey with a warm dose of mellow soul. Titles include "Midnight", "C-Side", "Conversation", and "Texas Sun". (Deep Funk, Neo Soul) LP, Vinyl record album

Khruangbin get a great new sound here – thanks to the vocals and acoustic guitar of Leon Bridges, who bring a whole new dimension to their music! The title and cover of the record are very well-put – as there's this open space to the record that's a bit different than previous outings by Khruangbin – still that aesthetic that lingers somewhere south, down near the border – but maybe more relaxed and letting itself flow down the road to some territory that's all its own – the marvelous vocals of Leon Bridges at the wheel, with the rest of the group well-tuned to make the journey with a warm dose of mellow soul. Titles include "Midnight", "C-Side", "Conversation", and "Texas Sun". (Deep Funk, Neo Soul) LP, Vinyl record album

Maybe the greatest record so far from the lovely Esperanza Spalding – a set that has her moving farther from jazz, into a wonderfully warm style of soul music overall! The mix of modes is exquisite – a blend of Spalding's jazz-trained vocals with some beautiful arrangements that sparkle and glisten with this righteous vibe we'd put right up there with the best 70s recordings by Minnie Riperton or Linda Lewis – a really rare breed that goes way beyond the wonderful promise Esperanza's always had right from the start! The album is an instant treasure – the sort that's sure to please everyone who's already followed Spalding on her journey, yet also win her a huge new audience as well. Q-Tip helped a bit on production, but most of the work is by Spalding herself – and titles include "Radio Song", "Cinnamon Tree", "Crowned & Kissed", "Land Of The Free", "Black Gold", "Let Her", "Endangered Species", "Smile Like That", and "I Can't Help It". Comes with bonus download cart for 11 short films! CD

Maybe the greatest record so far from the lovely Esperanza Spalding – a set that has her moving farther from jazz, into a wonderfully warm style of soul music overall! The mix of modes is exquisite – a blend of Spalding's jazz-trained vocals with some beautiful arrangements that sparkle and glisten with this righteous vibe we'd put right up there with the best 70s recordings by Minnie Riperton or Linda Lewis – a really rare breed that goes way beyond the wonderful promise Esperanza's always had right from the start! The album is an instant treasure – the sort that's sure to please everyone who's already followed Spalding on her journey, yet also win her a huge new audience as well. Q-Tip helped a bit on production, but most of the work is by Spalding herself – and titles include "Radio Song", "Cinnamon Tree", "Crowned & Kissed", "Land Of The Free", "Black Gold", "Let Her", "Endangered Species", "Smile Like That", and "I Can't Help It". Deluxe edition comes with bonus DVD that includes 11 short films and lots of bonus footage! CD

The first album in a long long time from Lewis Taylor – and a set that shows that his soulful talents are still very much at the top of their game! Taylor first grabbed our ears back in the 90s with a revolutionary new approach to soul – partly on the cusp of the Neo Soul generation, but also given a leaner, sometimes darker approach – and a vibe that was much better than so many of the attempts to merge soul vocals with the newer styles of the downtempo era. All these many years later, Lewis just keeps on sounding better – and the songwriting seems to have matured a lot with his own personal journey – maybe even more heartfelt and expressive than on previous records. Titles include "Apathy", "Worried Mind", "Numb", "Is It Cool", "Brave Heart", "Being Broken", "Feels So Good", "Please", and "Nearer". LP, Vinyl record album