A set that's almost a back to basics effort for DJ Shadow, yet one that's also a strong step forward too – basic in that it's a record that's almost all instrumental, with no guests at all – but forward because it's got a leaner groove, and a style that shows just how far Shadow has moved past the more hip hop/turntablist style of his roots! There's almost a cinematic vibe to the music at times – a mode that fits the action adventure of the title, with plenty of cuts that would be right at home on classic soundtracks, especially of the 80s crime/cop/action style – served up with just the right sorts of beats, basslines, and keyboards to echo that era! Titles include "A Narrow Escape", "You Played Me", "Time & Space", "Forever Changed", "She's Evolving", "Reflecting Pool", "Free For All", "Ozone Scraper", and "Witches Vs Warlocks". (Hip Hop, New Grooves) CD

Incognito never lets us down – and records like this keep us listening strongly year after year! The set's got all the core brilliance of Incognito at their best – a really classic approach to jazzy soul, served up with top shelf instrumentation by the group – and sent home strongly by a range of singers who include Vanessa Haynes, Tony Momrelle, Chiara Hunter, Imani, Deborah Bond, and the great Carleen Anderson! Nobody can do it as well as these guys – tight, but never uptight – smooth, but never sleepy – really right on the money from the production on down to the bottom – the kind of careful, classy soul that almost makes Incognito a genre unto themselves. Titles include "Wind Sorceress", "Rapture", "Hands Up If You Wanna Be Loved", "Hats", "I Couldn't Love You More", "Something Bout July", and "Silver Shadow". Japanese CD features the bonus track "Part Of The Plan". (Neo Soul, New Grooves) CD

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

Daniel Maunick's been giving us music in many forms for years – working as Venom on remixes, handling work with Incognito, and a range of other projects – but stepping out in the spotlight on his own is a relatively new thing to Maunick – and a great showcase for all sorts of musical ideas he's never been able to express this well! Given his ties to both Incognito and the Far Out label, there's some great currents of both London soul and global grooves in Daniel's work – but the blend comes across at a level that's very free from any of his roots – kind of a step forward for the cosmic generation of the early 21st Century, with elements that are as planted on the ground as they are soaring to the skies. Titles include "Bitter Regret", "Illusions", "The Love Has Gone", "A Second Chance", "Promessa", "Shadow Boxer", "Just Deserts", and "Remnants Of Joy". CD

Nickodemus wasn't the first to blend together a world's worth of influences with contemporary rhythms and production, but over the years, he's definitely risen to the top of the game – especially as he's moved into more subtle territory like this! The record is nicely freed from the dancefloor at times, which not only seems to allow more of blend of styles, but also really showcase the vocals from some of the album's mighty guests – in a lineup that includes The Illustrious Blacks, Antonio Uzana, Pat Kalla, and others. But if you dig his dancefloor work, don't worry, as there's still plenty of groovers too – in a set that includes "La Noche", "Mama Tchipp", "Plastic", "The Shadow Thief", "No Puedo Parar", "Race To Robotics", "Soul & Science", and "Mamaciterranea". CD