Contemporary grooves with a cosmic undercurrent – some wonderful tracks from the Kindred Spirits label – a real 21st Century heir to spiritual modes of expression from the 60s and 70s! As with the first volume in this series, the styles here are heavy on influences from jazz – especially in the keyboards – but also bring in a fair bit of current sounds as well – broken beats, choppy rhythms, and spun-out instrumental bits that are often in the spirit of the post-4 Hero generation. The few warmer, mellower moments flesh out the record with a fair bit of spirit – and although some of the tracks have been out on other Kindred Spirits releases, there appear to be others here exclusive to the set. Titles include "Raw War" by Mweslee, "Dirtdegree" by Tom Grago, "Holdin Up" by Rich Medina, "Wonderlove (Jazzanova rmx)" by Heavy, "Till Tomorrow" by Rednose Distrikt, "Moving In Circles" by Nomo, "Door Of The Cosmos (12" mix)" by Build An Ark, "Spread" by Meikbar, "Roll On" by Flowriders, "Dickriders" by INT, and "Say What" by Chico Mann. (New Grooves, Neo Soul) CD

Cosmic soul from Danish singer Astrid Engberg – an artist with a voice that's already great on its own, but sound seven better amidst the album's slightly spacey, slightly jazzy instrumentation! The record has a very contemporary vibe – as although Astrid's vocals could work in an old school soul setting, they seem even better here with the moody electric crackle of the backings – sometimes served up by just a trio, but featuring guest work from the great string master Miguel Atwood Ferguson on a number of tracks – and other appearances from Moo Latte, Maria Dybbroe, and Tobias Wiklund as well. Titles include "Spirits Came Told Me", "Chains", "Loving Contemplation", "I Should Care", "Adaptation", "Body Follows Body", and "Blue Rise & The Fall". (New Grooves, Neo Soul) LP, Vinyl record album

Jimetta Rose is a fantastic singer on her own, but this set may well be her most heavenly, most righteous record to date – as it features Rose at the head of a larger ensemble of singers – blending gospel structures with soul and spiritual jazz – all with a sound that's completely sublime all the way through! Some of the tunes here are older cuts from the world of soul and jazz, redone in a mode that's nicely different than the originals – with voices moving back and forth, trading lines, and rising together – while light rhythms keep things moving forward, yet never get in the way of the singers on the record. The approach might look like gospel, and the messages here are righteous – but in a way that's also got strong secular soul appeal too. Titles include a great remake of "Spirits Up Above", plus the cuts "Let The Sunshine In", "How Good It Is", "Ain't Life Grand", "Operation Feed Yourself", and "Answer The Call". LP, Vinyl record album

A record that makes us go "Damn!" – and has us really falling in love with Secret Night Gang even more than on their debut – and we really liked that album a heck of a lot! This time around, the group have woven together this richly soulful vocal approach with laidback funk, all at a level that feels wonderfully righteous and very spiritual – as if some of the spirits of Roy Ayers in the 70s have seeped into leaner funk arrangements – all with a slightly cosmic current around the edges that seems to electrify all the core elements in a really great way! We love how the vocals flow and rise together, which is a very unique approach – and titles include "Every Nation", "Things Will Work Out", "Don't Know What Tomorrow Brings", "One & Only", "When Will The Sun Rise Again", "Do For You", "Out Of My Head", and "Never Ever". (Deep Funk, Neo Soul) CD

A record that makes us go "Damn!" – and has us really falling in love with Secret Night Gang even more than on their debut – and we really liked that album a heck of a lot! This time around, the group have woven together this richly soulful vocal approach with laidback funk, all at a level that feels wonderfully righteous and very spiritual – as if some of the spirits of Roy Ayers in the 70s have seeped into leaner funk arrangements – all with a slightly cosmic current around the edges that seems to electrify all the core elements in a really great way! We love how the vocals flow and rise together, which is a very unique approach – and titles include "Every Nation", "Things Will Work Out", "Don't Know What Tomorrow Brings", "One & Only", "When Will The Sun Rise Again", "Do For You", "Out Of My Head", and "Never Ever". (Deep Funk, Neo Soul) LP, Vinyl record album