Aybee – Misha’s Matrix/Filt (Deepblak) US 12”
This one has been around for a while now but has just recently come to my attention. Deep squelchy house is the order of the day on ‘Filt’ (Galactik Retrofit Mix) which features a compelling spoken intro, sounding remarkably like the actor John Hurt. ‘Misha’s Matrix’ is equally solid, a tough broken-house excursion with jazzy vibes thrown in for good measure.   
www.myspace.com/deepblak
www.deepblak.com

Clifford Nyren – Keep Running Away (Soul Cal) US 12”
This is the eighth release for Stones Throw subsidiary Soul Cal, who again dig deep to unearth another essential slice of jazzy boogie-soul. It was recorded in 1979 and previously only available on a limited edition album released to promote the recording program at the Southern California based college which Clifford Nyren attended. The 12” features the original of ‘Keep Running Away’ which comes in at just under three minutes long plus Egon’s Extended Edit which adds almost a minute and a half for maximum effect.     
www.myspace.com/soulcal
www.stonesthrow.com/soulcal

Hypnotic Brass Ensemble – Jupiter/Balicky Bon (HBE) UK 10”
This eight piece band from Chicago but now relocated to New York is made up of seven of the offspring of Kelan Phil Cohran, the Sun Ra Arkestra member and AACM co-founder. It would seem the fruit hasn’t fallen too far from the tree as Hypnotic Brass Ensemble continue the legacy of their father with two horn laden jazz grooves. ‘Balicky Bon’ is the funkier of the two but it’s the modal influenced ‘Jupiter’ with haunting female vocals towards the end which stands out for me. Unfortunately though, the pressing isn’t the best quality.      
www.myspace.com/hypnoticbusiness 

Kenny Garrett – Beyond The Wall (Nonesuch) US CD
Kenny Garrett is often mentioned in the same breath as Miles Davis due to the time he spent with Davis’ band during the late 80s/early 90s but Garrett has steadily been releasing his own albums as leader since 1984. His latest offering ‘Beyond The Wall’ features pianist Mulgrew Miller, bassist Robert Leslie Hurst III, drummer Brian Blade and percussionist Ruggerio Boccato along with jazz legends Pharoah Sanders and Bobby Hutcherson on tenor sax and vibes respectively. Together they have created nine stunning compositions rooted in modal and spiritual jazz, taking in eastern sounds along the way. Nedelka Echols adds her vocal tones to ‘Qing Wen’, ‘Kiss To The Skies’ and ‘Gwoka’, all of which are nothing short of brilliant, as is the firing title track ‘Beyond The Wall’, ‘Now’ and the haunting ‘Realization (Marching Towards The Light)’. Trust me this is a modern classic.
www.myspace.com/kennygarrettmusic

4hero – Play With The Changes (Raw Canvas) UK CD/LP
Dego and Marc Mac have got to be the hardest working pair on our scene with their solo projects, production work, remixes and record labels, which is probably why it’s been five years since the last 4hero album. The wait has been well worth it though as ‘Play With The Changes’ is in my opinion their finest to date. It’s so consistently strong throughout that it’s difficult to pick out particular tracks but at a push I’d go for the opening cut, ‘Morning Child’ featuring Carina Andersson, a stunning orchestrated piece which will no doubt rise to the same status as their version of ‘Les Fleur’. Carina also appears on the delightful ‘Our Own Place’ but touch down on the luscious ‘Give In’ with vocalist Darien Brockington, ‘The Awakening’ with Ursula Rucker, a faithful version of Stevie’s ‘Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)’, the Black Jazz influenced ‘Why Don’t You Talk?’ or ‘Look Inside’ and you won’t be disappointed. With other tracks featuring the likes of Larry Mizell, Bembe Segue, Jody Watley and Lady Alma you know this is going to be a contender for album of the year.   
www.myspace.com/4hero

Peven Everett – Power Soul (Soul Heaven) UK CD/LP
Quick on the heels of last year’s ‘Easy Livin’’ LP Peven Everett drops his new set for Aaron Ross’ Soul Heaven, a subsidiary of Defected. ‘Power Soul’ effortlessly blends soul and house resulting in his best set since ‘Studio Confessions’. The singles ‘Stuck’ and ‘Can’t Do Without’ are included and are definitely the better of the house cuts, but it’s on the soul tracks where Peven really shines. Try ‘Surely Shorty’, ‘Washing’, ‘This Just In’ or the amazing ‘Futuristic’ for first rate examples of twenty first century soul music.       
www.myspace.com/studioconfession
www.soul-heaven.com

Various – Folk Is Not A Four Letter Word Vol.2 (Delay 68) UK CD
Andy Votel again delves into the world of tripped-out acid-folk and unearths another mighty fine selection of obscurities for the second volume of ‘Folk Is Not A Four Letter Word’. As with volume one, Carol Batton kicks off proceedings with an enchanted poetry intro entitled ‘Winter’ before we’re treated to delights such as the Indian influenced ‘Son Of God’ from Parchment, Pentangle’s ‘I Saw An Angel’, Alexis Korner & CCS’ ‘Sunrise’ which is reminiscent of David Axelrod in places, and the beautiful simplicity of Woody Simmons’ ‘Grey Today’. Kick back, relax and let the tranquil waves wash over you.     
www.delay68records.co.uk