Back catalogue: Broken Beat/Nu Jazz/Nu Soul

Review: Mark de Clive-Lowe's Six Degrees was first released in 2000 and now returns as a vital reissue to mark its 25th anniversary. It's a still-groundbreaking fusion of jazz-fusion, Afro-Cuban rhythms, jungle, hip-hop and broken beat that chronicles de Clive-Lowe's musical journey from Havana to London to Tokyo. With Rhodes, synths and MPC at the core, he blends live musicianship and electronic beats into soulful, genre-defying tracks like 'Roundtrip,' 'La Zorra' and 'Day By Day.' It is thoroughly personal and inventive and harks back to a pivotal moment in future jazz's evolution while the reissue reaffirms its place as a seminal early electronic-jazz hybrid.

Review: Headnodic and Jazz Mafia, hailing from the Bay Area, bring a fresh yet nostalgic twist to the West Coast jazz-rap sound, combining the gritty pulse of boom-bap with the fluidity of jazz. From the outset, tracks like 'Rambissimo' and 'Zugulala' strike with a laid-back but engaging energy, fusing head-nodding beats made from SP-12s and MPCs with live instrumentation that radiates warmth and spontaneity. The resulting sound is both organic and meticulously crafted, effortlessly balancing sharp, loop-based hip-hop with the kind of loose, human groove that gives jazz its soul. The project came to life through an introduction from Thes One of People Under The Stairs, and it's clear why this collaboration is so electrifyingiheadnodding beats paired with smooth, clever bars that never take themselves too seriously. Tracks like 'Maiden Voyage' and 'All That You Could Be' capture the essence of jazzy hip-hop without ever feeling forced, creating a timeless vibe perfect for any occasion. This limited release is a gem, capturing a moment of pure creativity and musical synergy.