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. 12-inch, Vinyl record

Nina Simone's legendary first album gets the remix treatment – and at a level that's even more soulful and dynamic than the Verve Remixed handling of her music! DJ Maestro's at the helm here, but the set features a host of different talents all jumping into the fray – some of whom serve up clubjazz-styled takes on the original tunes, others who move into clubbier territory, with more of an emphasis on beats and grooves! Titles include "Plain Gold Ring (Mop Mop rework)", "Little Girl Blue (Maestro rmx)", "Love Me Or Leave Me (Suonho rework)", "African Mailman (Rebel rmx)", "I Loves You Porgy (Mees Dierdorp remix)", "African Mailman (Opolopo rmx)", "He Needs Me (Gamophonedzie rmx)", and "Love Me Or Leave Me" by Gabriel & Castellon & Maestro rmx)". (Vocalists, New Grooves) LP, Vinyl record album

(Global Grooves, New Grooves) CD

A bit more of a stripped-down set than other work that Benny Sings has given us in recent years – definitely a record with the vibe of the beat tape promised in the title – but one that still has some of the soulful elements that Benny's given us on other records too! The hip hop element is stronger here than usual, right down to the record's guests – who include Koreatown Oddity, Cola Boyy, Mocky, St Panther, Rae Khalil, and others – and Benny put the album together out of elements that weren't used in the final version of his album Music – but which still carry some of the soulful currents of that set. Titles include "Money & Guns", "Don't Look", "CGEOOL", "Green Grass", "Watch Me Heal", "Song 13", and "Mag Ik In Je Huid". (Neo Soul, New Grooves) LP, Vinyl record album

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

A wonderful album of straight ahead jazz – cut by a current combo from Italy, but done with a really classic sound! The style here is a bit like that of the straighter jazz albums on Schema Records – all acoustic, but often highly rhythmic – and focused in styles that explore older Italian modal jazz of the 60s, as well as some of the deeper shadings of the Blue Note scene from years back! The lineup is incredibly strong – with tenor from Daniele Scannapieco, trumpet from Fabrizio Bosso, and piano from Luca Mannutza, whose firm work and bold notes on the keys really give the album a lot of drive and fire! CD features Nicola Conte remixes of the leadoff track "Conversation" – which is actually great enough in its original version by the group – and other tracks include "Wide Green Eyes", "The Driver", "Shade Of Gira", "Dubai", and "Campagna". (Jazz, New Grooves) CD

Hunter's getting a lot more sophisticated in his style, and is moving past the heavy funky sound of early days – to a mix of soulful styles that opens him up a lot more. This sextet session features drummer Leon Parker, who always works well with Hunter – plus tenorist Peter Apfelbaum, and percussionists Stephen Chopek and Robert Perkins. Titles include "Two For Bleu", "Al Green", "Rendezvous Avec La Verite", "Flau Flau", and "Cloud Splitter". Also features a nice solo version of Donny Hathaway's "Someday We'll All Be Free". (Jazz, New Grooves) CD

A record that really helped push guitarist Ronny Jordan over the top – a set that took that sharp, clean sound that made him the 90s heir to the funky Grant Green sound – and updated it nicely with some help from DJ Krush! The record is one of the most successful blends of jazz and hip hop from the time – one of the few that really gets things right, and which knows when to lean into soul as well – and is maybe a key part of an early legacy that would later flourish in Blue Note projects from artists like Madlib and Robert Glasper! Titles include the killer "The Jackal (the illest mix)", which has Dana Bryant delivering a very hip spoken part – plus "S**t Goes Down (but I phunked up mix)", "Love I Never Had It So Good", "Season For Change (dawn of the season mix)", "Bad Brother (how ya like my wheel mix)", and a great remake of "So What (tuff n smooth mix)". (Jazz, New Grooves) LP, Vinyl record album