Back catalogue: Broken Beat/Nu Jazz/Nu Soul

Review: Brand New Heavies have long had their legacy assured. They played a vital role in establishing the Brit-funk sounds of the 80s and 90s and are one of the most enduring acts on Acid Jazz. Now, their standout album Heavy Rhyme Experience Vol. 1 has two of its finest cuts singled out and pressed up to this Bonafied Funk reissue on P-Vine Japan. The tunes are a blend of their signature sounds with some top-level featured guests including hip hop royalty Main Source and the one and only Grand Puba. Timeless dance floor delights, for sure.

Review: Mongolian hip-hop producer Bodikhuu has never been to Rio but this is his lovely letter to the city he has often dreamt of. He has a love of the great Joao Gilberto and armed with that and a worm out MPC he set to work, laying down tropical beats and sunny melodies. The result became an instant classic and spawned a number of tunes that went on to pick up more than a million streams. It's a record that excites the imagination as well as warming the soul and this version comes with superb original artwork designed by illustrator David Burnett on a lovely splatter-coloured vinyl inspired by its own cover.

Review: edbl is a dynamic producer based in South London who is synonymous with a mellow, soulful sound and collaborations with over 60 different artists. His acclaimed work South London Sounds played a pivotal role in establishing his popularity in Japan and Asia not least his signature track 'The Way Things Were' featuring Isaac Waddington. This all new long player compiles carefully selected songs that take in some superbly smooth and soulful tracks. Highlights include the jazzy flute-infused 'I'll Wait' and the beautifully vocal-driven 'Table For Two,' which sure do solidify edbl's status at the forefront of the global music scene.

Review: Multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer edbl aka Ed Black's new album 2010 Mixtape is another wonderful journey through an array of hip-hop styles, great songwriting and standout production skills. Following his edbl and friends series, this project highlights his love for hip-hop and features a host of UK artists from the alternative r&b and soul scenes. With mellow grooves, jazzy chords and vibey keys, 2010 Mixtape pays tribute to the great influence those styles have had on edbl's own sound. Named after the year he discovered hip-hop, the album features tons of highlights such as collaborations including Guvna B on 'Symbols,' Manik MC on 'Arcades' and KinKai on 'Too Much Shit To Do', all of which bring with soul.

Review: Grey October Sound's latest offering blends lo-fi hip-hop with the timeless allure of Ghibli's iconic soundtracks. The album reinterprets beloved melodies with smooth, chilled-out beats and warm, atmospheric production. Tracks like 'The Bygone Days' and 'One Summer's Day' breathe new life into these classic tunes, making them feel both nostalgic and contemporary. The integration of lo-fi textures creates a soothing backdrop, perfect for unwinding or studying. This release successfully bridges the gap between two worlds, bringing a fresh, relaxed vibe to Ghibli's unforgettable music.

Review: Grey October Sound, known for their standout lo-fi hip-hop compilations like Timeless and The Cave, has gained traction in Japan and beyond. Their popular series like Lo-Fi Ghibli and Lo-fi City Popicovering iconic Studio Ghibli tracks and beloved city pop hitsihas cemented their place in the lo-fi scene. Now, they team up with Salad Days, Europe's top lo-fi/chill pop label, for a highly anticipated collaboration. This new compilation features digital lo-fi favourites from artists such as ENRA, Lenny Loops, Slowheal, and Eugenio Izzi. The visual aesthetic, including cover art, comes from celebrated illustrator Rika Nagatani, the creative force behind Lo-Fi Ghibli, adding another layer of charm to the release.

Review: US jazzy-hip-hop beatmaker Kero One returns with his first album in nine years. Known for popularising jazzy hip-hop in the early 2000s, the California-based rapper, DJ and producer blends his signature jazzy lo-fi beats with vintage soul, R&B, pop, progressive hip-hop and electronic music while drawing inspiration from recent travels in Asia. Fuzz Logic features artists and vocalists from diverse regions including English, Chinese and Korean with guest appearances from the likes of Ace Hashimoto on 'Airplane Mode,' plus Blu and Michael Blume all contributing to the catchy, dynamic sound Kero One is renowned for.

Review: Disco creator T-Groove has received high praise on both the domestic Japanese and international scene. What better motive, then, to trade on his newly gilded name than to pair up with street drummer George Kano for a transformative set of grooves, in the form of 'Let Me Ride', 'Midnight Lady' and ensuing tracks? That's just what T-Groove has done on his latest record here for P-Vine, incorporating a fusion-like style exquisitely crossing between jazz, rock, Latin and quiet storm. A testament to the chemistry shared between T-Groove and Kano - drummer-and-producer-dyad extraordinaires - this is a well-cooked slice of late night urban fusion and groove.

Review: Uncut Gems by Underground Canopy is a compelling fusion of modern jazz, hip-hop grooves, and urban sophistication, marking a significant release from the Paris-based band. This mixtape, originally released in 2022 and now available physically worldwide, highlights their year-long studio sessions. Each track is a testament to their experimental ethos with a blend of raw energy and spontaneous creativity. The album's strength lies in its authenticity and the collective spirit of the band members, evident in the richly textured compositions that evoke the spirit of artists like Bad Bad Not Good and Butcher Brown. Davor Gromilovic's artwork enhances the experience, visually complementing the project's heartfelt and innovative approach. For listeners attuned to the intersection of jazz and hip-hop, Uncut Gems is a refreshing exploration of musical boundaries, delivering moments that feel both familiar and boldly original. Not many albums have quite the mix of contemporary jazz and infused hip-hop that this release does.

Review: This ambitious project from P-Vine looks at an impressive 27 different compilation album and pulls together the best of them into an all new collection that arrives in celebration of Toru Hashimoto. This year makes his 30th anniversary as a compiler - in all his has put out more than 350 of them across the last three decades and many of them have been big hits such as Free Soul and Cafe Apres-midi. As such he is now rather a household name in Japan thanks to his next level ears and fresh taste - this collection will hopefully make him a more globally renowned talent.

Review: YASMIN's much loved A Scent Of Flowers album has more than stood the test of time which is why it is now being reissued for the first time. It features the 90s r&b classic 'Wanna Dance' which has long been a staple in many mixtapes and dance compilations. This edition also includes a cover of Roy Ayers' ubiquitous 'Everybody Loves The Sunshine' which was the second successful single on the album which was first released in 1993. It's back by Soulshock who is known for his work with 2Pac and Monica, and Cutfather, famous for remixing Mark Morrison's 'Return Of The Mack.' Elsewhere on the record are many more killers including covers of 'Best Of My Love' and Ray Charles' 'Let Me Take Over.'