Back catalogue:

Review: .5 Borough Breaks are back with another essential slice of 90s hip-hop nostalgia. Their latest 7" revives a 1995 Hot 97 favourite-a gritty, golden-era banger that once ruled the NYC airwaves. Handily pressed for both DJs and collectors, Blahzay Blahzay's 'Danger' captures the raw energy of East Coast rap at its peak. As always with this label, the flip side features the original sample source: a soulful gem 'Rockin Chair' from recently departed legend Gwen McCrae whose legacy shaped generations of soul fans and hip-hop heads. As such, this 7" combines deep digging with authentic hip-hop flair and pays tribute to both the beatmakers and the soul pioneers who inspired them. Essential wax.

Review: Johnny Clarke is of course, a roots reggae legend with a vast, and high-quality, discography that has contributed to the evolution of the genre over many years. For this one he teams up with Green Cross on 'Never Give Up On Jah', a heavyweight drop on Heartical in France. Clarke's unmistakable voice delivers a message of perseverance and spiritual strength, and it serves as a fine reminder of roots reggae's enduring power to move you in more ways than one. The riddim is deep, warm and dubwise and on the flip is the flaky, wobbly, Green Cross cut 'Style Ah Weh We Love.'

Review: Nicola Conte's 'Do You Feel Like I Feel' and 'Ghana' were initially part of his 2011 album, 'Love & Revolution,' a project that showcased a vibrant mix of Italian and international jazz talent. Produced during sessions at Tommy Cavalieri's studios, this album never saw a vinyl releaseiuntil now. Schema Records is rectifying this with a new 2-LP edition, set to include these standout tracks. The 45rpm single, featuring 'Do You Feel Like I Feel' and 'Ghana,' highlights the core of Conte's vision: the soulful resonance of the former and the Latin-jazz flair of the latter. Both tracks are enhanced by Magnus Lindgren's arrangements and feature Gregory Porter, whose vocals, though still emerging at the time, are already a testament to his rising status in the jazz world. With this vinyl release, Conte's modern jazz masterpiece receives the physical format it deserves, offering a fresh opportunity to appreciate its intricate compositions and collaborations.

Review: Sami Galbi is a Swiss-Moroccan musician who looks to his childhood for musical inspiration. The A-side of this new 7" is a thoughtful post-breakup classic with raw synths and bouncing rhythm that melds rai influences with contemporary sounds and despite tacking a serious subject with gravitas also has a humourous edge. On the flip is 'Rruina,' a powerful follow-up with deeper darker club sounds that take Swiss-Moroccan rai-chaabi fusions into new territory. Both tunes are captivating listens from this fine talent and are sure to make an indelible impression on all who hear them.

Review: Gary Bartz, a titan of the saxophone, has left an indelible mark on the jazz landscape through collaborations with luminaries like McCoy Tyner, Art Blakey and Miles Davis. BGP's selection of 'Celestial Blues,' featuring the soulful vocals of Andy Bey, encapsulates the essence of spiritual jazz, epitomizing Bartz's musical strength. Paired with 'Gentle Smiles (Saxy),' famously sampled by A Tribe Called Quest, this release offers a glimpse into Bartz's multifaceted artistry and enduring influence on contemporary music.

Review: Cult outfit The General Store laid down four songs in the year of 1967. They release two of them, but the other two have remained under wraps ever since. Now, more than half a century later, they are getting pressed up to vinyl for the first time thanks to Perfect Toy who have decided to cut just 300 copies. The band themselves have given full blessing for this one and as soon as the needle drops you're taken into a swirling, high-octane world of raw 60s rock heavy funk. It is very much a case of Tower of Power meets Funkadelic with a lo-fi twist.

Review: A historical pairing of hip-hop and soul that celebrates the connection between the iconic rap track and its sampled origin. Side-1 features 'Mind Playing Tricks On Me' by the Geto Boys', a landmark 1991 hit, widely regarded as the first Southern hip-hop classic. Scarface, Willie D and Bushwick Bill deliver deeply introspective verses exploring paranoia, mental health and street life, setting a precedent for emotional storytelling in rap. The track's haunting atmosphere and raw vulnerability put Houston's 5th Ward on the map, cementing the group's legacy in the genre. On Side-2, Isaac Hayes' 'Hung Up on My Baby' takes center stage, the soulful 1974 instrumental that inspired the Geto Boys' masterpiece. With its funky guitar licks and cinematic grooves, the track embodies Hayes' genius and underscores the lineage between soul and hip-hop.

Review: Greenwood's 'Sparkle,' originally recorded in 1985 and long forgotten, found a second life thanks to Tokyo's DJ Muro, who included it in his Hawaiian Breaks mixtape in 2009. This unexpected resurgence of interest prompted Greenwood to return to the studio, resulting in a full-length album in 2014 that featured a newly polished version. Aloha Got Soul brings both the original 1985 and 2014 versions of together on a 7" vinyl, now available in a stunning 'sparkling' gold variant. The track, a brilliant English adaptation from the city pop master Tatsuro Yamashita's For You album, is pure 1980s city pop with its shimmering production and infectious groove. Greenwood's newfound success with "Sparkle" has reignited their passion, leading to the release of their sophomore album, Music Book, which continues their exploration of city pop with more Tatsuro Yamashita covers. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the band, this single is a delightful piece of music history, offering a perfect blend of nostalgia and timeless charm.

Review: Cocteau Twins' musical mastermind Robin Guthrie has produced some terrific solo records over the course of his career, frequently delivering material that joins the dots between ambient, ethereal soundscapes, shoegaze and the more immersive end of the soundtrack spectrum. 'Astoria' is the latest volume in the Scottish multi-instrumentalist and producer's ongoing EP series (its predecessor, 'Mountain', dropped in September). It's another typically gorgeous and enveloping affair in which effects-laden guitar motifs, gaseous ambient chords, gentle rhythms, ghostly aural textures and slowly shifting melodies combine to create instrumental sound worlds of rare beauty (if not sonic clarity - Guthrie's use of reverb and delay is liberal, which adds to its atmospheric nature but adds extra layers of attractively wide-eyed haziness).

Review: Robin Guthrie's Atlas is a four-track EP showcasing new instrumentals that gently reintroduce listeners to his distinctive world. Known for shaping genres with his production and signature guitar sounds, Guthrie famously co-founded and produced for Cocteau Twins. With over four decades of musical influence, he's produced, remixed, and collaborated across various projects, from instrumental albums to movie soundtracks and Atlas serves as a tantalising preview of what's to follow later this year, namely more of Guthrie's evocative sounds that will no doubt continue his legacy of pushing boundaries.

Review: Night Owls are back with a fresh take on Lee Moses' 1970s cut Got That Will, transforming the soul classic into a dancehall-inspired banger. Dan Ubick leads the production, bringing in powerhouse vocalist Gina Murrell and the tight rhythm section of Wilder, Colie, and Rivas to infuse the track with new life. As if that wasn't enough, Kingston's Ranking Joe adds his signature toasting, giving the track an extra layer of authenticity and drive. The B-side, Got That Dub, takes things deeper with Roger Rivas on the mix, dialing up the echo and delay to create a spaced-out, dubbed-up version. With steady radio play on BBC Radio 6 and KCRW, this release is already making waves. DJs and collectors will want to act fastithis record is primed for late-night sound system sets and is sure to fly off the shelves.

Review: The Shake & Bake Band's Shake & Bake is an undeniable invitation to hit the dancefloor. Side-1 kicks off with 'Shake & Bake (part 1),' where the band lays down a groove that's nothing short of exhilarating. The track stands out for its originality, offering a vibe that feels almost hedonisticiperfect for those looking to experience something fresh and exciting. On Side-2, 'Shake & Bake (part 2)' strips things down, bringing in a hoedown-like twist with the addition of a harmonica. The drumming intensifies, building excitement as the funkiness truly shines through in this version. Overall, Shake & Bake delivers two distinctive takes on a groove that will keep the energy high and the dancefloor moving.

Review: Is It Balearic? presents the second EP from the Wrekin Crew, continuing where the first left off and delivering two original tracks, 'Vapour Trail' and 'Broken Wings'. 'Vapour Trails' has the trademark nod to the Italo Disco & emotional pop bombs that are a staple of their DJ sets. Goldsuite remixes Vapour Trails and create a softly mesmerising balearic pop twilight shuffler. 'Broken Wings' keeps the same feel, poignant vocals over slightly more late night beats and Woolfy brings a cosmic arpy feel and dubs it up for a more electronic groove.

Review: Galliano's return with Halfway Somewhere marks a significant moment in the resurgence of acid jazz. Led by founder Rob Gallagher, the band delve into the essence of club culture with their first single, 'Circles Going Round The Sun,' exploring the transformative power of dance. Referencing cultural icons like Andrew Weatherall and David Mancuso, Galliano capture the spirit of London's underground scene from the late 80s, blending music, dance, fashion, and art. With their debut on Gilles Peterson's Talkin' Loud label in 1990, Galliano epitomized reinvention, embracing a fusion of influences from Jamaican style to spoken word records. Now, more than three decades later, they return with a refreshed lineup, drawing inspiration from the global jazz scene. Halfway Somewhere reflects Galliano's evolution, responding to the dynamic landscape of contemporary jazz while retaining their signature sound. With contributions from longtime members and guest artists, the album embodies the band's enduring spirit of experimentation and joy. As they navigate this new chapter, Galliano proves they're still on a journey, but one filled with excitement and creativity.