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

Black Nile are certainly rooted in jazz, but maybe just in terms of inspiration – as the music brings together all sorts of sonic bits and sounds of color – live instrumentation, samples, electronics, and contributions from key guests – all with a spirit that's as beautiful and evocative as you might expect from their name! Some cuts have vocals, which are often somewhat in the background – but the main approach is instrumental, with all sorts of ways of pursuing a new direction and tone – in modes that shift nicely from track to track, but make for a whole album that's got this really unified spirit. Titles include "Drive", "Revival", "Tidal Wave", "Duo", "Unheard 2", "Ancient Futurism", "Mystery", and "Jyro". CD

One of the best records in years from the mighty Far Out label – and a set that really takes the imprint back to its roots! The name of the record echoes the first Friends From Rio session that launched Far Out almost two decades ago – and like that classic, this one's a collaborative effort between a range of Brazilian and British talents – served up in a style that bridges the gap between older bossa and more contemporary modes! The music is perfect from the ground up – not a cheesy bossa remix project, but a true blend of all the best elements, served up in a rich new style. The project gets key Incognito-style help from Daniel "Venom" Maunick, and a real Azymuth pedigree from Alex Malheiros – and the whole thing features a great range of different singers, including Hyldon, Robertinho Silva, Aleh Ferreira, Ivan Matheus, Denise Pinaud, Sabrina Malheiros, and Carlos Dafe – each wrapped up in a sweet blend of Fender Rhodes, organ, riffing guitar, and sweet jazzy horns. Titles include "So Resta A Porta Se Abrir", "Mas Que Nada", "Garota", "Aguai", "Casino Bangu", "Batucada Bidu", "Anthemia", "Leita De Pedra", and "Mulher Malagueta". (Brazil, New Grooves) CD

Lean and bubbling rhythms from Charlie Hill – a set of tracks recorded with a slightly different approach on each number, but which comes together nicely in a style that's very much Charlie's own! The record almost feels as if Hill went through other clubby modes of the early 21st Century, especially broken beat – then stripped then down to their core, and rebuilt them with the pieces he could still fit together – a nicely ethereal approach, even when the vocals are more pronounced – on titles that include "Her Four Thorns", "Philly", "Space For Space", "Time Difference", and "Yemlaad". LP, Vinyl record album

Beautifully dynamic work from drummer Myele Manzanza – an artist we've never heard work in this scope before, and we hope will soon do so again! The album's got Myele at the helm of a great large ensemble – a group who have a strong spiritual sense at the core, but often move in more vibrant rhythms driven by Manzana's work on the drums – not really funky, maybe more in an upbeat modal mode – which allows for great sounds from the rising crest of alto, trumpet, tenor, trombone, and flute in the lineup! Bass is by Ross McHenry, whose sound is a key core part of the record – and Ross also produced, as well – really capturing the right sort of vibe for the entire album. Myele's part of the Adelaide scene, in New Zealand – but we'd put this record right up there with some of the best work coming out of the London jazz world in recent years – with titles that include "Big Deal", "Madrid", "Itaru's Phone Booth", "Family Dynamics", "Ritual", and "A Love Requited". Includes the Japanese-only bonus track "Freedom Of Movement". (Jazz, New Grooves) CD

The first proper Mr Scruff full length in more than half a decade – and as you might have gathered from the boisterous breakbeat funk and more soulful undercurrents of recent 12"s – he's broadened his sonic tapestry a bit! Ninja Tuna is the namesake title for his own imprint at his longtime home Ninja Tune – and if he's not out to break the mold on tried and true formulas, he does a fine job of spinning some engrossing soundscapes! Funk, soul, house and bedrock hip hop beats meet masterfully, and a couple of the best tracks are inflected with more accessible groove via some excellent guest vocalists – including Alice Russell and Anreya Tatiani, and Quantic and Pete Simpson drop by, too! Titles include "Test The Sound", "Music Takes Me Up", "Donkey Ride" featuring Quantic, "Hairy Bumpercress", "Whiplash", "Nice Up The Function", "Bang The Floor", "Get On Down", "Hold On" with Andreya Triana, "Give Up To Get", "Kalimba", "This Way" feat Pete Simpson" and "Stockport Carnival". LP, Vinyl record album

A piano trio, but one with a very modern ear – a group from that school of groups who've emerged in the years after the early recordings of Robert Glasper – graced with a very similar 21st Century sense of rhythm and sound! It's clear that these guys grew up on more than jazz, as the way they put together the tunes is very fresh and untraditional – yet also not overly gimmicky, as in some of the bigger-name crossover trios of the past decade or so. The trio features Gael Bourgeault on Fender Rhodes and piano, Leo Debroise on bass, and Victor Dubois on drums – and the set also features guest guitar, trumpet, and vocals from a female singer – who each appear on different tracks. Titles include "Half Moon Night", "777", "LGFI", "Kamalodo", "Pedrocha", and "Catamandelo". (Jazz, New Grooves) LP, Vinyl record album