Space Brigade feat The Ace Of Spades – I’m Your Man/
[Makin’ Love] In The Morning (Kay-Dee) US 7”
From Kenny Dope and Keb Darge’s Kay-Dee Records comes a reissue of this awesome modern soul cut ‘I’m Your Man’ by Space Brigade feat The Ace Of Spades. I have no information about its origins but it sounds like a mid seventies recording. This is a seriously infectious groove complete with wailing male lead vocals backed up by powerful female harmonies. On flip side is ‘[Makin’ Love] In The Morning’, a gorgeous slow soul burner.      
www.kaydeerecords.com

Emanuel Laskey – [Put Your Name] In The Hall Of Fame/
A Different Kind Of Different (Hayley) UK 7”
Recorded in 1978 these two previously un-issued soul sides were written and produced by Laskey himself along with Mel Bolton and none other than Marvin Gaye! ‘A Different Kind Of Different’ is a solid enough stepper but ‘[Put Your Name] In The Hall Of Fame’ is an absolute must for any soul fan. It kicks off with a funky organ intro and sweet female backing vocals before the bass line drops and we’re off into a seriously catchy groove with Emanuel expressing his adoration for his woman. This one will be blowing up big on the modern soul scene over the coming months.          
www.hayleyrecords.co.uk

Dirty Star – Music Machine/Fresh Outta Skool (Phurry) UK 7”
With a number of releases already under their belt Birmingham’s Dirty Star drop their finest to date. ‘Fresh Outa Skool’ is a twisted synth infected psyche/soul piece but the standout here is ‘Music Machine’, a monster mid-tempo digital soul jam. Fans of Plantlife or Amp Fiddler pay attention!
www.myspace.com/dirtystar2
www.dirtystar.co.uk  
www.myspace.com/phurryrecords

Thief – Atlantic/I Can’t Remember (Sonar Kollektiv) German 7”
‘Atlantic’ is my favourite track from Thief’s debut album ‘Sunchild’ so nice to see it on 7”. Luscious string and subtle horn arrangements compliment the dreamy vocals perfectly on this tripped-out pop-folk excursion. The type of record that leaves you with a sense of inner peace and that all is well with the world!   
www.myspace.com/thiefsonarkollektiv
www.myspace.com/sonarkollektiv
www.sonarkollektiv.com

Hypnotic Brass Ensemble – War/Mercury (HBE) UK 10”
After receiving numerous accolades from taste makers such of Gilles Peterson, Patrick Forge and Michael Rutten for their debut release ‘Jupiter/Balicky Bon’ Hypnotic Brass Ensemble return with two more brass led deep jazz works. ‘War’ is fierce and funky with an incessant rhythm and driving horns whereas ‘Mercury’ shifts down a gear injecting a touch of swing into the horn section. Let’s hope we don’t have to wait too long for an album from these guys.   
www.myspace.com/hypnoticbusiness

Trusme – Nards/Browns/Good God (Love For Music) German 12”
Manchester’s Trusme serves up three tasty re-edits for Still Music’s Love For Music. There’s absolutely no info printed on the label but according to Piccadilly Records track 1/side A is ‘Nards’, a disco-house epic with swirling strings and infectious vocal snippets. Track 1/side B is ‘Browns’, a sensual head-nodder based around Tom Browne’s ‘Charisma’ and for track 2/side B it’s another quality disco-house jam in the shape of ‘Good God’ which utilizes Teddy Pendergrass’ vocals to great effect.    
www.myspace.com/trusme

Mudd & Pollard – Villa Stavros (Claremont 56) UK 12”
Mudd kicks off his new Claremont 56 label in fine style, teaming up with Pollard who provides some stunning keys on this superb slow motion disco instrumental. ‘Villa Stavros’ is full of seventies jazz-fusion sensibilities with the hypnotic groove gradually building until it’s firmly planted under your skin. This will be perfect for the sun-soaked terraces of Ibiza this coming summer.
www.myspace.com/claremont56

Secret Stealth – Mince & Onions (Bocajito) UK CD
Secret Stealth are Nottingham’s Bob Sadler and Jim Baron and the oddly titled ‘Mince & Onions’ is the follow up to the duo’s 2005 debut ‘Ssshhh’. With element of disco, boogie, electro and house all thrown into the mix this should appeal to fans of the Baron’s other project Crazy P. The soulful cuts ‘Drive Me Crazy’ and ‘Hooked On You’, both of which feature Holly Brackler on vocals are the standouts for me along with ‘Free’ a gorgeous string laced arrangement reminiscent of 4hero.  
www.myspace.com/secretstealth
www.bocajito.com

Lanu – This Is My Home (Tru Thoughts) UK CD
Lance Ferguson’s Lanu project sees a definite shift in style from his work with the deep funk outfit The Bamboos. ‘This Is My Home’ ventures into broken-soul/boogie with elements of Latin and Afro-beat and includes ‘Dis-information’, ‘Mother Earth’ and ‘Don’t Sleep pt.3’ from the recent 12” plus other strong moments such as ‘Runaway’ featuring Cherie Mathieson and No Comply and ‘Shine’ with Christin Deralas on vocals. The real killers for me though are the cosmic soul outings, ‘Rise’ with Abby Joyce and Simon Grey and ‘Let You Glow’ again featuring Christin on lead vocals. Pure bliss!
www.myspace.com/lanu
www.myspace.com/truthoughtsrecords
www.tru-thoughts.co.uk

Nostalgia 77 – Everything Under The Sun (Tru Thoughts) UK CD
Is there no stopping this man! Ben Lamdin delivers yet another album, his third in the last six months. Seventies inspired deep jazz is the order of the day with vocal contributions from Lizzy Parks and Beth Rowley. It opens with the outstanding ‘Wildflower’ which in places is reminiscent of Lorez Alexandria’s ‘Send In The Clowns’ before moving through future classics such as ‘Dreamers Dance’, the majestic ‘Everything Under The Sun’ and the first rate modal excursions ‘Arora’ and ‘Steps Of The Sun’. This album is pure class throughout though and is a must for any jazz fan.   
www.myspace.com/nostalgia77
www.nostalgia77.com
www.myspace.com/truthoughtsrecords
www.tru-thoughts.co.uk

Various – Shapes 07.01 (Tru Thoughts) UK CD
The ‘Shapes’ compilation series continues into 2007 and as with past editions it showcases previously released material from the Tru Thoughts label, along with forthcoming cuts and exclusive bits. It kicks off with Boub’s reggae re-rub of Alice Russell’s ‘Hurry On Now’ before moving through to the killer nu-soul steppers, ‘Good Things’ by Spengler, one of the exclusives, and ‘Pushing On’ from Freddie Kruger featuring Linn. Nostalgia 77’s ‘Wildflower’ is also included along with Lanu’s ‘Dis-information’, Diesler’s ‘Into The Woods’ featuring Carla Alexandar, an infectious digital bossa groove from his forthcoming third album and Ze Zam’s tech-samba excursion ‘Me & You’. With tracks of this standard and for less than a fiver this album is an absolute must.
www.myspace.com/truthoughtsrecords
www.tru-thoughts.co.uk