The Sleepers Italy レコード& CD

Review: On their two singles to date, Marcos Miranda and Ivan Redondo have proved adept at delivering vibrant, synth-heavy mutations of soul, funk, house and disco that owe much to the kaleidoscopic, drum machine-heavy sounds of the 1980s. "Mirage", their debut album, continues on this theme, delivering authentically colourful cuts that later impassioned vocals atop synth-laden backing tracks that variously doff a cap towards original '80s artists such as the Whispers, Prince, Parliament/Funkadelic and Midnight Starr. If you're looking for some music to brighten up this oddest of summers, we'd heartily recommend it.

Review: Temu Bacot is some talent. Like some modern day incarnation of Prince, he wrote, arranged, played, recorded, produced and mixed almost everything on "Relic Of The Mothership", his inspired debut album. Of course, one or two hired hands assisted on occasional tracks, but for the most part it's all him... and it's brilliant. Rooted in P-funk, electrofunk, 80s boogie, hip-hop and contemporary R&B, it's a soulful, colourful and hugely vivid set that perfectly showcases not only Bacot's specific musical vision, but also the quality of his rapping and singing. As if to flex his musical muscles even more, this CD edition of the set not only includes his finished vocal versions but also ten equally admirable instrumental mixes. Essential.