Stellar work from the Star Creature label – the Chicago imprint that seems to be picking up the torch where all those fancy London and European labels dropped it many years ago! The work here is fresh and forward-thinking – rooted in older house and funky soul modes, but completely contemporary – filled with rhythms that really find the way forward, instrumentation that soars to the heavens on waves of cosmic energy, and vocals that keep the whole thing nicely grounded on the planet! The quality is superb – and titles include "A Shooting Star" by Saucy Lady, "Tunnel Vision" by Proh Mic, "The Finest (E Live rmx)" by Kutkorners with Amalia, "Instant Sunshine" by Ourra & The Gravity Drive, "Do Me Like That (slight extension rmx)" by E Live with Chesta Blake, "Exoplanet Love" by Shrio Schwarz, and "Cassette Funk" by Giovanni Damico. LP, Vinyl record album

Killer contemporary club from the Lumberjacks In Hell label – a European imprint, but one that owes plenty to the raw sound of the early years of American house! There's a very underground vibe going on here, and most cuts are stark, spare, and straight to the point – the best kind of club tracks that make just a little bit go a long way – thanks to thoughtful placement of key instrumental elements, and the occasional vocal flourish! 2CD version features one mixed CD, one unmixed – and titles include "Everyday" by Joanna, "Be Good To Me" by Frawl, "Over" by Krewcial, "Get To Know Me" by Seven Davis Jr, "Check The Flow" by Funk Butcher with Trim, "Goddess" by Ant La Rock, "Rabbit's Foot" by Beam Me Up, "Even The Stones" by Giovanni Damico, "Lord I'm Trying" by Tom Noble, "Jazz A Nova" by Boogie Nite, and "Neyt Life" by Reece Johnson. (Funky Compilations, New Grooves) CD