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Review: J Cole's 2014 Forest Hills Drive will likely go down in history as one of 2010s hip-hop's most emotive albums. Through various forces, we'd contend it found itself on the iPods of anyone so much as remotely interested in exploring hip-hop beyond the pales of Kendrick Lamar, Drake or Eminem. It put Cole on the map for many young listeners: the virginity-loss classic 'Love Yourz' is the obvious go-to hit, but it doesn't represent the rest of the album, which mostly falls into the category of gushing and nostalgic. '03 Adolescence' and 'Apparently' are our highlights, with Cole indulging emotive jazz-piano interludes and pop-rap production tropes, with his rhymes always circling back to the album's core subject matters: home, childhood, wrong paths, memories.

Review: Few people can be said to be a true hip-hop head lest they've heard 2014 Forest Hills Drive by J. Cole. The heartfelt, orchestrally-tempered album was released way back in 2014 (duh) and hears the rapper sing and speak eloquently of his bittersweet coming-of-age - telling many stories of his first loves, his adolescent angst, and his intentional avoidance of the wrong paths. Now lovingly reissued just in time for its 10th Anniversary, we're glad to hear the LP that helped establish Cole's romantic, reminiscent side won't stay out of the limelight.

Review: The clue is in the name, as the vital resurgence of jazz in the UK capital coalesces into this supergroup project featuring a dizzying cast of talent. When names like Nubya Garcia, Shabaka Hutchings, Theon Cross and Benji B are all thrown into the mix, you know this is something to pay attention to. The group was first pulled together by producers Martin Terefe and Bruce Lampcov for a series of gigs across Europe, but scuppered by the pandemic they instead hunkered down in the studio for sessions inspired by Miles Davis' iconic Bitches Brew. The results are as brilliant as you would expect.

Review: It's official: UK Jazz's uptick in popularity over the last decade has now led to supergroups being materminded by industry heads. This one was conceived by producers Martin Terefe and Bruce Lampcov; London Brew is the collective project of over a dozen jazz musicians including Nubya Garcia, Raven Bush, Theon Cross, Dan See and Benji B, and aims to reflect the Londoner's complex, overwhelming yet somehow experience of the city. The sense of sudden immersion on this album quite clearly reflects its intention to evoke the feeling of returning to 'normality' post-lockdown, prior to which most of its main recordings were laid down.

Review: The seventh full-length from Sarah Jarosz, Polaroid Lovers is an album-long meditation on those strangely ephemeral moments that indelibly shape our lives. "What I love about a Polaroid is that it's capturing something so fleeting, but at the same time it makes that moment last forever," says the Texas-born singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist. Thanks to the rarefied alchemy that infuses all of Jarosz's output - her finely wrought lyricism, ravishing vocal work, virtuosic yet unfettered musicality - Polaroid Lovers performs the much-needed magic of leading us toward a heightened sense of presence, all while casting a lovely spell with her timelessly powerful songs. Produced by Daniel Tashian at the legendary Sound Emporium, Polaroid Lovers took shape as Jarosz recorded live with musicians like guitarist Rob McNelley, Tom Bukovac on guitar and organ, her husband bassist Jeff Picker, and drummer Fred Eltringham, carving out a viscerally potent but resplendent brand of folk-rock.

Review: Double vinyl LP reissue of Linton Kwesi Johnson's smash, underground reggae hit from 1978, 'Forces Of Victory', in celebration of Black History Month by parent label UMC. Produced by Dennis Bovell and LKJ, this is a staunchly British dub poetry classic, with every track, from 'Want Fi Goh Rave' through to 'Time Come' charting Johnson's lifelong grapple with meaning, resistance and revolution in his distinctive reality-checking patois.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Slight surface marks on the record sleeve***


A half century may have passed since the release of Marvin Gaye's conscious soul masterpiece, What's Going On, but the album still sounds as fresh, otherworldly and intoxicating as ever. That much is proved by this half-speed remastered 50th anniversary edition. It backs the original album - a detailed, deep, emotive and melancholic masterpiece packed with much-loved classics (the title track, 'Inner City Blues', 'Mercy Mercy Me' and so on - with a second album of outtakes, demos and alternate versions. These include mixes that track the development of the incredible title track and various hard-to-find mono mixes initially released by Motown as singles.

Review: Waterloo, by ABBA, is an iconic song that catapulted the Swedish pop group to international fame after winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974. With its catchy melody, energetic rhythms, and infectious hooks, Waterloo became an instant classic and remains one of ABBA's most recognizable hits. Musically, Waterloo is a masterclass in pop craftsmanship. From its memorable guitar riff to its soaring vocal harmonies, every element of the song is meticulously crafted to create a euphoric listening experience. The driving beat and jubilant chorus make it impossible not to dance along, while the lush production adds a touch of glamour and sophistication. Overall, Waterloo is a timeless pop gem that encapsulates everything that made ABBA one of the greatest pop groups of all time. With its irresistible hooks and infectious energy, it's no wonder that Waterloo remains a beloved classic decades after its release. This tribute on picture disk, makes it extra special.

Review: On its 20th anniversary comes a reissue of No Doubt's 1992-2003 singles collection, which brings together the very best of the ska and pop rockers' contributions to music at large over their first decade of stardom. Known as the alt-rock group fronted by Gwen Stefani, No Doubt were a formative act for the spreading of a distinctly American, pop-oriented form of ska punk. With Gwen's brother Eric on keys, and with bassist Tony Kanal and drummer Adrian Young also in tow, No Doubt's career was a slow-burning exponential curve skywards, which saw a successful takeoff despite some early flops. A huge team backed their recordings; notable on this compilation is two production features by Sly & Robbie, 'Underneath It All' and 'Hey Baby'.