Back catalogue: Hip Hop/R&B

Review: Miracle Thomas and Rob Hardt bring new life to 'Sugar Free,' the 1985 hit by Juicy, just in time for the arrival of spring. The funky bassline and smooth vocal runs make this cover instantly catchy and memorable. Miracle's sultry delivery, paired with Rob's groove-heavy production, creates an irresistible blend of old-school soul with a fresh twist. The song's infectious chant and hook elevate it to a dancefloor favourite, while the chemistry between Thomas and Hardt is undeniable. This track will no doubt soar on the charts, earning its place on playlists and keeping listeners hooked for months. It's the perfect mix of nostalgia and contemporary soul.

Review: Somewhere between a sauerkraut connoisseur, an ancient Athenian philosopher, and a crate-digging obsessive (we'll assume this is the threefold meaning of the nominal pun until we're course-corrected) Saukrates returns with a new single 'Driftin'' via Love Touch Records. This new limited 7" is indeed as, perhaps even more so, delicious as a jar of pickled cabbage considered in Socratic dialogue. The Juno-nominated Canadian icon is here heard teaming up with producer Gil Masuda, who provides a neo-eighties synthfunk bomb over which Sauks flaunts his singing chops (this is a surprise delicacy, as Masuda is not often heard since his 2006 Big Black Lincoln project). Bursting pianos glide over huge gated digi-snares on this gem, the featureless version of which also appears on the B-side.

Review: Longtime disco editor Smoove played his first cards right with Wack Records in 2007, and now he returns to the imprint after decades with another raw-cut, redone diamond; a synth-driven slab of filth-funk reflecting the talents of 80s soul mogul Bobby on vocals. On the flip, things speed up as Smoove flips Mrs Jackson's vocals into a razor-sharp electro funk rework, loaded with punchy edits, Mantronix-inspired stutters, and warped stabs that twist the track into club-ready territory.

Review: Led by the trio of Piya Malik, Sabrina Mileo Cunningham and Nya Gazelle Brown, Say She She are a band who draw on their diverse backgrounds to create a mesmerising fusion of sounds. Say She She's sophomore album, Silver, was recorded live to tape at Killion Sound studio and produced by Sergio Rios. Silver, embodies a raw authenticity that harks back to the analog era while infusing it with a contemporary edge. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Rotary Connection, Asha Puthli and Grace Jones, Say She She concocts a sonic cocktail that is both nostalgic and forward-thinking. The album radiates with joyous energy and spiritual depth, as evidenced by its infectious rhythms and thought-provoking lyrics. Say She She fearlessly tackles important issues with wit and charm, inviting listeners into a world of quirk and adventure. Silver is a celebration of modern femininity and a reminder of the beauty that surrounds us. With its intoxicating blend of humour, sincerity and musical innovation, Say She She have crafted a work that is as timeless as it is timely.

Review: Disco-pop outfit Say She She have been having a huge year in 2023. The have broken out to new levels of acclaim and are sure to go even higher this September when their sophomore album Silver lands on Karma Chief Records. It's a record featuring 16 cuts of "feverish, operatic, and entirely mesmerizing harmonies" very much distill the glory of disco's brightest emotions. There is a special sense of Studio 54 era magic here with vocals that address pressing topics and draw on the group's experiences as modern femmes.