A baker's dozen from Grenique, Jaze, Chico DeBarge featuring Joe, Ol' Skool, Ricky Jones, Fa Sho, Phoenix Johnson, Angel Grant, Monifah, DJ Rogers Jr, Big Bub, Rachid, and Jeff Majors. CD

With Common. 12-inch, Vinyl record

A set that goes back to the old school – but the old school of the late 80s/early 90s, not the early days of the South Bronx – in a very cool collection of cuts that bring together hip hop, club, and a bit of mainstream soul – all from a time when musical styles were really percolating together! The track list speaks for itself, and features classics that include "Back To Life" by Soul II Soul, "Too Blind To See It" by Kym Sims, "Big Fun" by Inner City, "My Definition Of A Boombastic Jazz Style" by Dream Warriors, "People Everyday (metamorphosis mix)" by Arrested Development, "They Reminisce Over You" by Pete Rock & CL Smooth, "Where I'm From" by Digable Planets, "Hey Ya" by Outkast, "What U Waitin 4" by Jungle Brothers, "Soul Flower" by Brand New Heavies with Pharcyde, "Push It" by Salt N Pepa, "Can I Kick It" by Tribe Called Quest, "Apparently Nothin (soul river mix)" by Young Disciples, "Always There (David Morales mix)" by Incognito, "Groove Is In The Heart" by Deee-Lite, and "Feel So Good" by Mase. LP, Vinyl record album

Skool Boyz are a lot better than you might guess from their dated 80s spelling – a surprisingly tight little trio, bouncing along with lots of riffing rhythms and sweet keyboard lines, but also keeping things pretty solid with a good mix of ballads alongside the groovers! One of the group members is Stanton Sheppard, and Bill Bunky Sheppard's listed as the executive producer – so we're guessing there's some sort of connection to the earlier years of the Chicago soul scene here – and there's definitely a solid approach to the record that's way more than the commercial pop you might expect from other groups with "boys" in their name. Titles include "Jam Beneath The Groove", "Can We Do It Again" (which has little bit of rapping), "You Can Get Down", "This Feeling Must Be Real", "I Ain't Gonna Go Searching", and "You Took The Best Part Of Me". LP, Vinyl record album

A set that might have you rethinking the early years of punk – as it shows that right next to the short sharp shocks of the new sound, there was also a rebirth of tight tuneful music too – a style that became known as power pop, even though many of the acts were ever bit as indie as the punk rockers! Don't mistake the "pop" for thinking that these are big commercial productions – as most of the work here is really back to basics rock and roll – a focus on sharp guitars, great rhythms, and excellent songwriting – served up in a wonderful mix of lesser-known artists, plus a few that went on to be timeless stars. The box set is every bit as great as other Cherry Red 3CD packages – detailed notes, 75 tracks in all, and work by artists who include Filmstars, Elvis Costello, The Questions, Rollers, Bram Tchaikovsky, The Deaf Aids, Undertones, Pinkees, Rudi, Gross Club, Stiff Little Fingers, The Monks, Backseat Romeos, The Flys, Pleasers, Leyton Buzzards, Purple Hearts, Elevators, Public Skool, The Cartoons, Excel, The Quads, Squeeze, Linda & The Dark, The Aces, and many others. CD

A classic from the late 80s school! "Strong Island" is a straight-up masterpiece – with laidback rhymes, incredible beats, and punchy samples – a triumph of period hip hop craft if there ever was one! 12-inch, Vinyl record