An insanely wonderful set from Sean Khan – maybe the greatest music he's done since his early classics with the SK Radicals! This album really takes us back to a time when music from London was completely fresh and exciting, and cosmically soulful, too – and Sean's got help from some great singers on the record who also date from that era – including the mighty Omar, plus Sabrina Malheiros, and vocalist Heidi Vogel of Cinematic Orchestra! All three of these artists really flesh out the sound of the record – and make it every bit as much of a soul record as a set that's awash in all the great reed touches and jazzy bits we'd expect from Sean. Andy Noble's also on the record, playing some wonderfully warm piano lines – and the overall instrumentation has more acoustic elements than before, which makes for a very righteous vibe throughout! Titles include "Dance For Little Emily", "Muriel", "Samba Para Florence", "Sister Soul", "What Has Jazz Become", "Trane's Shadow", "Don't Let The Sun Go Down", and "Fire Within" – plus bonus remix tracks "Don't Let The Sun Go Down (4Hero rmx)", "Samba Para Florence (Henry Wu rmx)", and "Things To Say (Ben Hauke rmx)". CD

There's a slight 8-bit look to the cover image here, and that also follows through in some of the music too – a nice shift from the previous album from this wonderfully enigmatic singer – an artist who's got a very fresh vision for the future of soul! The tunes are catchy, and often have bassy and keyboard bits that keep them moving – yet not in a retro 80s mode, as there's all this cool production and processing – especially used on Skinny's vocals, which have a moody presence they didn't have the last time around! Titles include "Like A Heart Won't Beat", "Oh Silly George", "Deadman Deadman Deadman", "Don't Be Another", "Hardly The Same Snake", and "Secret Hiding Place". (Neo Soul, New Grooves) CD

Heavy grooves from the Far Out label – a set of cuts from the company that don't just fall into their usual Brazilian bag – and which stretch out in a sweet array of styles that include funky fusion and African-inspired rhythms! Most of the artists here normally work in a Brazilian vein, but the collection offers up some fresh takes on their sound – and also manages to pull together some more obscure Far Out tracks, including a few unreleased cuts too! Titles include "Poweride" by Marcos Valle, "Pembe (unreleased version)" by Future Warriors, "Somewhere Beyond (unreleased version)" by 4Hero Presents Natures Plan, "Eighties Times" by Jose Roberto Bertrami, "Magnetic Feel (unreleased version)" by Roc Hunter, "Chameleon (Offworld rework)" by Azymuth, "Strike Hard" by Troubleman, "Jazz Carnival" by Azymuth, and "New Morning" by Sabrina Malheiros. (Funky Compilations, New Grooves) CD

One of the most unusual projects we've ever heard from the legendary Joao Donato – not the bossa jazz of his roots, but instead a fresh new groove created with his son Donatinho! The music is heavy on keyboards, and definitely has the 80s vibe promised by the cover – with the younger member of the duo handling keyboards from that generation, and singing with a bit of electric crackle in his voice – while the older Donato brings in all his classic charms, and creates a great sense of counterpoint in the process! The whole thing's nicely funky – sweet 80s electro overall – but Joao's presence also gives the whole thing a lot more depth, and it's clear from their duo moments that the pair really have a lot of warmth in their hearts for each other. Titles include a remake of "Quem E Quem", plus "Luz Negra", "Clima De Paquera", "De Toda Maneira", "Lei Do Amor", "Interstellar", and "Vamos Sair A Francesca". (Brazil, New Grooves) CD

Maybe the coolest record we've ever heard from Moonchild – a set that's an all-acoustic outing, and one that offers up fresh takes on some of their older tunes – in ways that are maybe even more soulful and stunning than before! The instrumentation often includes some great work on reeds, especially flute – and the vocals of Amber Navran have this way of folding together with the grooves, which are also more seductive, through the live interplay of bass, drums, and percussion. The only electric element at times is a bit of Fender Rhodes – which we can hardly argue with – and the performances are all live, on titles that include "Back To Me", "The List", "Cure", "Run Away", "Money", and "The Truth". (Neo Soul, New Grooves) CD