Back catalogue:

Review: No production outfit keeps a pace of output quite like Vibez '93. The latest four-track record from the shadowy d&b profuser now hears them summon sampled echoes of A Tribe Called Quest and Digable Planets respectively, culling choice acapella selections from the debut albums Low End Theory and Reachin', exegeting the former's titular theory for a hard transpose into sheller drum & bass. 'Electric Relaxation' and 'Check The Rhime' are blown out across a two-side jazzstep liquescence, while 'Cool Like That' and 'All Night Long' make for finer-brushed summer steps.

Review: With 'breaking' making its debut in the 2024 Paris Olympics, it seems an apt time to go back to where it all began and showcase some of the music that first made break-dancers move in the early years of hip-hop culture. Soul Jazz Records clearly agrees, hence this two-disc retrospective of early 'breaker' favourites curated by Arthur Baker - a man who's productions and remixes soundtracked many dancefloor battles in the early 80s. It's a suitably strong selection all told, with dusty funk, soul and funk-rock favourites (Johnny Bristol, James Brown, The Jimmy Castor Bunch, Spanky Wilson) being joined by disco-funk jams (Herman Kelly and Life), extra-percussive workouts (Manu Dibango, Mongo Santamaria, Candido) and a smattering of key Baker productions (Afrika Bambaata and Soul Sonic Force's 'Planet Rock' and his own infectious 'Breakers Revenge').

Review: Curated by the legendary producer Arthur Baker, Breakers Revenge is a comprehensive compilation of original funk, soul, Latin, disco and electro tracks from 1970-1984. These tracks, ranging from well-known classics to hidden gems, have become legendary in the world of breakdancing. Featuring seminal tracks like Dennis Coffey's 'Scorpio', The Jimmy Castor Bunch's 'It's Just Begun' and Afrika Bambaataa's groundbreaking 'Planet Rock', this collection embodies the essence of breakdancing culture. The percussive breakdowns and infectious beats of these tracks have not only been the soundtrack to countless block parties and park jams but have also been sampled by numerous hip-hop artists and producers. With extensive liner notes and track-by-track breakdowns, Breakers Revenge is perfect time capsule for fans of breakdancing, hip-hop and music enthusiasts.

Review: B-sides, Remixes, Rarities: Volume 3 & 4 is the second double LP in Amerigo's Soul Mates series and this one showcases 15 more superb tracks from his extensive catalogue. This compilation includes exciting mash-ups like Kendrick Lamar vs. Marvin Gaye, Dr. Dre vs. Curtis Mayfield, and Black Star vs. Aretha Franklin, among others. Each track highlights a masterful blending of iconic artists to create a unique listening experience that celebrates the intersections of hip-hop and soul and brings plenty of good times.

Review: Smoove props up his rep as a highly consistent big beat, funk and disco crossover producer with a freight-class shipment of 'Heavy Goods'. Somersaulting out from his Geordie soul group Smoove & Turrell - on top of his sought-after multi-track vinyl re-edits, as well as his remixing prowess across hip-hop, soul, and funk - this Jalapeno Records follow-up continues Smoove's recent favourite postal theme. Indeed, the postal system is what keeps us afloat (and cue the boundless irony of Royal Mail's latest sale to a Czech billionaire, the name of whose LLC is, apropos of online music retail, "EP Group"). Betty Black & The Family Fortune, Emma Noble, Kraak & Smaak, Izo FitzRoy, The High & Mighty, and Bahama Soul Club, all are all loaned Smoove's Pygmalion hand, honing a musing work of art from many a die-cut classic. Whirlwind D's 'Labels', Izo Fitzroy's 'Blind Faith' and TGH Collective's 'Higher Collective' are special versions too. Assuming you didn't already know the songs in question, you really wouldn't be able to tell the edit jobs from the originals. Mint condition!

Review: The third volume of Gangster Music marks the grand finale of Gangster Doodles' iconic trilogy and delivers a bold, eclectic mix of underground legends and rising stars. The 30-track compilation features hip-hop pioneers like Lee Perry and Tommy Wright III alongside innovative artists such as Devin Morrison, Homeboy Sandman and Suzi Analogue. With a global lineup spanning from SoundCloud rappers to genre-defying producers, Vol. 3 naturally captures a diverse range of rap and beat cultures with real authenticity. There are stoner beats and chilling trap sounds, socially-aware calls to action and raw street-wise standouts. This series has been short-lived but much loved and closes in legendary fashion.

Review: The Inner Tribe Records crew here celebrate the very best of their works, inviting over four sides' worth of contributions to the label over the years from such friends and associates as Erin Buku, Prozier, JuzzOne, Inkswel and DJ Applejac. Finding a locus of enjoyment in the theme of family, this spicy soul, hip-hop and funk collection aims to flesh out each of their roster-thrall's individual characters; it does so charmingly, in the cute interplay between the Polaroid memorabilia making up the front cover and the well-balanced hi-fi lo-fi moods found inside. Our favourite on the comp has to be Ben Iota's 'Present Company', for its large-surround chords and weighty rap mix.

Review: If Music presents: You Need This! An Introduction to the Handson Family from the legends at BBE is a must-have double album that highlights the rich heritage of Black music, not that we really needed reminding of course. Compiled by London DJ duo the Handson Family, this collection features tracks from plenty of key artists such as Emanative, Ty, Cecilia Stalin, and Xantone Blacq and across all 14 songs, the diverse sounds and styles of recent Black music are laid bare and offer an educational experience in Black music genres while also capturing the essence of the duo's influential DJ sets and radio shows.

Review: Portland's contemporary music makers and the city's historic Black music community come together on this new remix project which draws from the Albina Music Trust's archive. Across the long player, the artist reinvents the sounds of Portland's Black musicians with a modern beat-based sensibility, all of which subtly pay homage to the 1968 "Soul Assembly" program by the Black Student Union which educated audiences about Black Portland's cultural identity. Among many standouts are reimagined works by Jonny Cool, Jumbo of The Lifesavas and Tony Ozier who do a fine job of bridging generations and highlighting Portland's rich heritage.

Review: Def Radio marks the return of Marc Mac's long-running Visioneers project. As ever with Visioneers, this record reimagines the default stock of hip-hop's best-stocked jukebox, often beginning from scratch and/or working around a central sample, to either recontextualise a classic or come up with a new song; whatever the case, the key hallmark of a Visioneers album is its live instrumentation, with flaunts a *gauche et droite* mastery over hip-hop's laggard swing. Where this would usually handled by the chance placement of the sample snippet on the timeline alone, here it (sounds) actually drummed in. On Def Radio, lead tune 'The Look Of Love' predominates with its three-note ostinato and unhurried beat flaneur, whilst runner-ups 'Layin' Low, Gettin' High' and 'Cuban Candy Sticks' also stick out as salient among the troupe.