A rock solid effort from one of the finer producers on Stones Throw at this stage in the label's esteemed history! If you expect 1988 to be throwback effort by the number title, think again, but he's not as predictable as that anyway. He sets an impeccable and unpredictable mood that stays rooted in adventurous instrumental hip hop – with tracks like "Learn" that feel like a contemporary instrumental hip hop take on late 70s Bob James jazz, to soaring hip hop soul with bright keys and vocal samples, even bits of 80s boogie funk that do feel at home on a record called 1988. Includes "Don't Be Afraid", "Do You", "Listen", "Makeitliveforever", "Be Safe", "Mindin' My Business" with Durand Bernarr, "Uonlygetone", "With (Reality)", "Awomanslifeislove", "Solivelive" and more. 22 tracks in all! LP, Vinyl record album

Steve Arrington's got a long long legacy in soul music – one that goes back to his late 70s work on Slave – but he also sounds completely contemporary here, working in collaboration with a whole host of producers who were no doubt influenced by his creations of the past, and help Arrington find a whole new vibe in his music! Tunes are often spare, and served up in a blend of vocals, beats, keyboards, and guitar – yet all elements are given some cool, crispy twists and turns through a host of hip hop elements and other contemporary modes – but all at a level that only seems to bring new live to Arrington's music, and not overwhelm it. The set features work from Mndsgn, Gifted & Blessed, J Rocc, Knxwledge, Devin Morrison, and others – and titles include "Love Knows", "Keep Dreamin", "Soulful I Need That In My Life", "Make A Difference", "Joys Of Love", "It's Alright", "Make Ya Say Yie", "You're Not Ready", "Good Mood", and "Work On It". LP, Vinyl record album