New releases last eight weeks: All genres

Review: Japanese singer-songwriter Calyn Tsukishima offers a fresh take on two iconic tracks with her reggae covers. Her rendition of Minnie Riperton's 'Lovin' You' is a smooth, emotional journey, with Tsukishima's glossy vocals building in intensity, pulling the listener into a warm embrace of lovers' reggae. This cover offers a unique yet faithful reimagining of a classic, with the gradual swell in her singing perfectly complementing the track's inherent tenderness. On the B-side, Tsukishima takes on Alicia Keys' 'Empire State of Mind (Pt. 2)' in a ska reggae style, the upbeat rhythm and catchy horns injecting a lively, fresh energy into a song often tied to urban grandeur. A must-have for reggae enthusiasts and those eager to hear beloved songs through a different lens.

Review: Raised on gospel in Mobile, Alabama, Lynn White's path to soul stardom began in Ike Darby's record store, where her habit of singing along to the songs that boomed from the speakers spiralled into a recording deal, not to mention eventual marriage with the store owner. Her 1978 debut on Darby wove a string of local releases, but it was her smouldering 1982 single 'I Don't Ever Wanna See Your Face Again' that caught the attention of Memphis soul legend Willie Mitchell. Signing to Waylo, White spent the 80s carving out a distinctive place in Southern soul, with highlights like the modern soul favourite 'See You Later Bye'. This reissue brings together two standout tracks from her early 90s period: the Lanier & Co. assist 'I Don't Know Why' and a tender cover of George Jackson's 'The New Me'.

Review: The 'SAR' EP celebrates the early brilliance of the American Womack family, originally performing as the Womack Brothers before evolving into The Valentinos. This well curated collection showcases four lesser known gems that trace a certain aspect of soul's evolution from the gospel depth of 'Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray' to the raw r&b of 'Don't Go Away' and 'Rock In The Cradle Of Love,' while the stunning group soul of 'Put Me Down Easy' is another doozy. Most tracks make their vinyl debut here, with 'Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray' previously only appearing on a rare SAR pressing. It forms a vital tribute to soul's origins.

Review: The third volume in the Insense Music compilation series, Insense Music for Dining Room, deepens its exploration of ambient, jazz, chill-out and Balearic sounds, all of which are perfect for serene dining moments. Curated by Tohru Hashimoto with artwork by Jiro Fujita and mastering by Calm, who a key figure in Japan's music scene as well as a renowned Balearic boss, this 7" release shines from the off: side A features Yakenohara's subtle, exclusive take on Bill Evans's 'Peace Piece' which blends his genre-fluid skills as rapper, DJ and producer. Side B offers Noa Noa's warm tribute to Bobby Hutcherson's 'Montara,' a hip-hop sampling favourite. The release precedes a full compilation dropping this May.