Eleven tracks from Truby Trio, Beanfield, Syrup, Kyoto Jazz Massive, Les Gammas, A Forest Mighty Black, Procreation, Minus 8, Classen Collective, and Jazzanova. CD

There's no waiting for Zion here – as A08 deliver the goods right from the start – a very righteous blend of reggae, West African, and other styles – but all served up with a lean approach that takes the influences very far past their roots! The group were previously known as Africaine 808 – and maybe the condensing of their name is a reference to the way the styles are condensed here – brought down to just their basics, but then topped with contributions from an array of different guests from a variety of global sources. Titles include "Water", "Pomplemousse", "I Want More", "Kisumu Bound Bus (Nyatiti mix)", "Sunset", "Bubbles", "Life", and "Yamahaica". (Global Grooves, New Grooves) LP, Vinyl record album

Sublime future jazz from Alex Attias – one of the key forces in the cosmic London scene of the 21st Century, stepping out here in a long-awaited full-length set that served up the full complement of his talents! As you'd expect from Alex, there's plenty of snapping beats and spacey keys on the set – an extrapolation of 70s funky jazz, into the spacier and headier realm that's been explored by Attias and the best of his contemporaries on recent singles. But over and above the high quality usual, there's also a farther-reaching set of rhythms and modes of expression going on here – as Alex uses the freedom of the full-length to work in modes that are sometimes subtler, sometimes more experimental – occasionally just grooving instrumentally, but also getting plenty of help from guest stars that include Vanessa Freeman, Jessica Lauren, Bembe Segue, Colonel Red, and Mark De Clive-Lowe. Tracks include "Help Me", "Closer To Me", "Future Jazz", "In The Jungle", "Back Home", "Everchanging Times", "Darker Side Of Light", "Angels", "Confusion", and "Transformation". CD

An amazing record from Kyoto Jazz Massive – and about time, too! The Japanese collective has been bubbling under for years – doing some of the most groundbreaking production, remix, and single work of the current Japanese scene – and this album is really their first true full-length, a massive set of tracks with a soulful approach we never knew they had! The whole thing's amazing from the word "go" (which actually isn't the first word on the album!) – and the first few tracks are especially strong, all soulful numbers with vocals by guest singers that include Vanessa Freeman, Victor Davies, and Maiya James. After that burst, the album takes off instrumentally – stretching for the sky in a jazz-infused blend of beats and keyboards, occasional other instrumentation creeping into the mix at just the right moments. Titles include "The Dawn Introduction", "The Brightness Of These Days", "Mind Expansions", "Stargazer", "Eclipse", "Between The Lights", "Substream", "Shine", "ME Outroduction", and "Behind The Shadow". CD

Great spiritual grooves from Web Web – a group who've always had a warm blend of electric and acoustic elements, but who take things further in this second collaboration with Max Herre – who brings in all sorts of keyboards and drum machine bits to the music! The core style is still jazz, with excellent tenor and flute from reedman Tonk Lakatos, whose presence really gives the album a soulful vibe – next to the core leading energy of Roberto Di Gioia, who works on a whole host of instruments – organ, mellotron, trumpet, guitar, piano, and even harp! There's other percussion in the group, warm basslines from Christian Von Kaphengst, and guest performances from a variety of others – including the great Carlos Nino on two tracks – all in a style that's got more of the warmth of Schema Records than the usual Compost sound. Titles include "La Planete Fantastique", "The Source Of All Things", "Perennial Journey", "Olobo", "Artist Unknown", "Look Beyond The Sun", and "Zutuma". (Jazz, New Grooves) CD

Great spiritual grooves from Web Web – a group who've always had a warm blend of electric and acoustic elements, but who take things further in this second collaboration with Max Herre – who brings in all sorts of keyboards and drum machine bits to the music! The core style is still jazz, with excellent tenor and flute from reedman Tonk Lakatos, whose presence really gives the album a soulful vibe – next to the core leading energy of Roberto Di Gioia, who works on a whole host of instruments – organ, mellotron, trumpet, guitar, piano, and even harp! There's other percussion in the group, warm basslines from Christian Von Kaphengst, and guest performances from a variety of others – including the great Carlos Nino on two tracks – all in a style that's got more of the warmth of Schema Records than the usual Compost sound. Titles include "La Planete Fantastique", "The Source Of All Things", "Perennial Journey", "Olobo", "Artist Unknown", "Look Beyond The Sun", and "Zutuma". (Jazz, New Grooves) LP, Vinyl record album

Koop are back after a long time away from the record racks – and apart from makeup on the cover, it's been well worth the wait for the music! The sound here is a great extension of the grooves the pair laid down on their first album – a soaring blend of jazz and dancefloor rhythms that's still head and shoulders above most of the other work it's inspired in recent years. Back again are tight rhythms, lots of warm acoustic instrumentation, and a blend of classic styles with 21st Century leanness – all in a way that few others can match, save for perhaps the mighty Nicola Conte. Instrumentation features plenty of vibes and warm acoustic basslines – and most tracks have vocals, by a variety of singers who include Earl Zinger, Ane Brun, Yukimi Nagano, and Mikael Sundin. Titles include "Koop Island Blues", "Come To Me", "Forces Darling", "Let's Elope", "Beyond The Son", "Whenever There Is You", "Drum Rhythm A", and "I See A Different You". LP, Vinyl record album

Sweetly spacey soulful work from Joseph Malik – an underground singer with distinct folksy touches! The mode of the work is somewhat in the NuSoul style – with a fair bit of warm production touches, keyboards, and electronic and jazzy bits creeping into the mix – but Malik's also got an earthy vocal approach that opens up here in a free flowing mode that's a bit rootsier than other current soul singers. Plus, many of the tracks use acoustic guitar in a strong way – adding a down to earth element to the recordings, one that recalls the spirit of 70s soul/folk crossover talents, like Richie Havens, Terry Callier, Shawn Phillips, and others. And of course, since the record's on Compost, it's got more than enough of a hip groove running through the best tracks – and stands as another proud feather in the cap of this level that's forever changing the sound of modern music! Titles include "Soul Blues", "Mother's Son", "I Am Drifting", "Ibotribe", "Melodies", "Evil Things", and "Futuristica". (Neo Soul, New Grooves) CD

A limited edition CD from Compost Records – one that features titles never before issued on CD, as well as some hard to find remixes! The set's a great treat to you fans of Compost without a turntable – as it compiles some of the best cuts from singles of the past few years, and throws in a few more strong cuts from the Compost catalog, giving you a 12 track sampling of cuts from one of the hippest labels around! Titles include "Eclipse (Afronaught Nocturnal dub rmx)" by Kyoto Jazz Massive, "A Go Go (DJ Muro rmx)" by Truby Trio, "Sound Of The Samba" by Victor Davies, "Human Patterns (Blackfish rmx)" by Beanfield, "O Preguicoso (new version)" by Intuit, "Cold Fusion (Dr Rockit rmx)" by Minus 8, "Everything (Beanfield rmx)" by Forest Mighty Black, "Love Unlimited (Capries rmx)" by Les Gammas, "Citizen" by Procreation, "Alone" by The Amalgamation Of Soundz, "Ten" by Fauna Flash, and "Bird Song" by The Underwolves. CD

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A great blend of old and new Brazilian grooves – kind of the ultimate expression of this great series! Like the first 2 volumes, this 5th one features some great lost older tracks; and like the 3rd and 4th volumes, it's also got some new tunes that are really wonderful. There's a lot of percussion in the grooves throughout – sweet keyboards and tight riffing mixes with rootsy drums, soulful vocals, and other great touches – soaring forward towards a jazzy global future that knows no boundaries! 2LP set features 10 tracks in all – including "Torn (Blissom rmx)" by Rise Ashen, "Comanche" by Jorge Ben, "Agua De Beber" by Aquarius Y Luiz Antonio, "La La Li" by Rachael Calladine, "Fica Mal Com Deus" by Rosalia De Souza, "Scott Air (traveling light mix)" by Ben Human, "Bohemian (Bah Samba main mix)" by Muro, "Icarai" by Os Ipanemas, "Eh Luande (Mimosa avantgarde mix)" by Racoon, and "Gypsy Woman" by Montefiori Cocktail. (Funky Compilations, New Grooves) LP, Vinyl record album

In the spirit of this popular series, Kruder & Dorfmeister remix some of the tastiest modern grooves from hip labels like Ninja Tune, Moving Shadow, Compost, and Cup Of Tea. The pair add in a nice heavy sound, giving the tunes a bit more soul than usual, thanks to a wonderful sensitivity for a nicely placed riff. Titles that get the remix treatment include "Never Say?" by James Bong, "Look Up Dere" by Kama, "Keep On Believing" by Beanfield, "A Mother" by Herbalizer, "Spellbound" by Tango, "Give My Soul" by The Lab Rats", and they even manage to sneak in their own classic "High Noon"! CD

The Brazilian vibe continues to spread worldwide, as a host of French and European producers go to town on a great set of tracks tinged with the sound of Brazil! This one's a lot more open-ended than some of the other sets on the market with a similar approach, in that the tracks don't necessarily focus on the dancefloor, so much as they expand the groove for a wider variety of experiences. Of course, there's still more than a few toe-tappers on the set – very much in the best style of work on Compost in a similar vein. Titles include "Brazil.com" by Isolee, "Non Fatiguing Natural Silk" by WR, "Ibis Vermelho" by Rom, "My Little Brazilian Pony" by Dr Rockit, "Tridade" by Alex Kid feat Jerome Badini, "Jelba" by Russ Gabriel, "Obrigado" by The Deal, "Bahia Blues" by DJ Spinna, "Tiu Ba La Quieba" by Boyz From Brazil, and "Kotu Rete" by Mental Remedy. CD

Excellent work from one of the most important production teams of recent times! Jazzanova have sharply defined the modern European taste for Brazilian and Latin-inflected grooves on the dancefloor – beginning in the mid 90s with work for the (then) new Compost Records imprint, and working up to present days with countless remix efforts for other artists. Sadly, Jazzanova have yet to cut an album of their own work – and this double-length set is probably the best full way to experience their rich talents. It features 20 tracks in all, many with a strong Brazilian or bossa flavor, and most with a tight dancefloor approach to jazz. Titles include "We Who Are Not As Others" by 4 Hero, "Soul Power" by Marcshmellows, "Carajillo" by Truby Trio, "Get Into My Groove" by Incognito, "Amazon Adventure" by Azymuth, "Words Of Love" by Soul Bossa Trio, "Welcome To The Party" by Har-You Percussion Group, "Planet Of Breaks" by Visit Venus, "Burnin" by Tate's Place, "Toda Tersafeira" by Soul Quality Quartet, "Circe" by Ursula Rucker, "Fifths" by Ski, and "Complete Life" by Liquid Lounge – all remixed by Jazzanova! CD

One of the best of the Abstract Funk series – a blend underground tracks that includes some nice entries from the London scene and the Compost crew! Titles include "Full Circle" by Nathan Haines, "Motion" by Claude Young, "Midday Sun" by Ian O'Brien, "Fact Of The Matter" by Anthony Shakir, "Close To Greatness (Deep Joy mix)" by Classen Collective, "Vonga Vongue" by New Sector Movements, "Piano Black (Ian O'Brien rmx)" by Soundtrack From Cowboy Bebop, and "Introspection" by Jazzanova. 12 tracks in all. LP, Vinyl record album

An assortment of Nujazz, downtempo, and electronic tracks from Germany – pulled together by the folks at Spinning Wheel Records, who we love for their collections of older groovy bits! The set features many exclusive tracks and previously unissued numbers – and it fits nicely with a Compost or G-Stone-type groove. Tracks from Max Fresh, Wiseintime, Jimpster, Mark De Clive-Lowe, Alex Phountzi, Reunion, Sonic Surfer, The Green Man, uss Gabriel, and BTO Spider & Jeremiah. CD