Stones Throw has long been in the habit of signing the most talented beatmakers of the day, and their current roster is no exception. LA based producer Knxwledge is the label's new golden child and it's not difficult to see why. Having produced tracks for the likes of Blu and Kendrick Lamaar and having a vast collection of incredible solo beat projects, he has become established as one of the finest producers in the game.

Enter Anderson. Paak, who sees no contradiction between quantity and quality. His omnipresence this year is only made more incredible by the sheer excellence of his work. To say his features have been ubiquitous is an understatement, yet despite this he has managed to complete his own studio album 'Malibu'. If that wasn't enough, he has now teamed up with Knxwledge to bring us their first collaborative album 'Yes Lawd!'

The album is the perfect blend of hip hop and modern neo-soul. Knwxledge's beats combine rugged chops with smooth soulful instrumentation to provide us Stones Throw regulars with exactly what we're looking for. Then when Anderson. Paak comes in with that distinctive flavour on the vocal, you're really left not wanting for anything. The project oozes swagger from start to finish. While both artists have mastered their individual styles, this perfect marriage between them takes their sound onto another plain.

Stones Throw have always managed to combine artists at the perfect moment. I probably don't have to mention Madvillain and Jaylib to make that point but heck, why not! This album sees the beginning of a new era for the label, and long may it last. We've had the album on full blast since it arrived in earlier this week, and I don't plan on turning it off any time soon...

Listen and grab a copy here

Jordan Rakei made his entrance to the scene in 2013, with the self released EP 'Franklin's Room'. It was a remarkably versatile set of tracks, showing his ability to easily switch between relaxing soul ballads and rich reggae influenced beats. Since then the Australian born artist has gone from strength to strength, with 2014 seeing the release of 'Groove Curse'. This EP was far more neo-soul orientated, and took influence from innovators in the genre such as D'angelo. This seemed to be the beginning of a new and exciting trajectory for the young artist. 

Step into 2016, and despite a busy touring schedule Jordan Rakei has teamed up with Soul Has No Tempo Records to bring us his debut album 'Cloak' . The album has everything the discerning neo-soul listener could want, from ridiculous vocal chops to modern electronic experimentation. With some serious jazz instrumentation to boot, Jordan seems to have instantly mastered the genre. The elements of the project are brought together with a level of production excellence that's scarcely rivalled. What we have here is the new generation of soul music.

In a year in which the 70's reissue seems to dominate the vinyl world, it truly is refreshing to have a genuinely new release of this calibre. This is an exceptional album, definitely one of the highlights of 2016!

Listen and grab your copy here

The resurgence of vinyl in recent years has been a wonderful thing for us DJs. Just when you thought you couldn't venture into a club without seeing an Apple logo staring down from the DJ booth, out of nowhere the ancient ways of the vinyl DJ have returned. So much so that a few years back you wouldn't have bet a thousand to one that 2016 would be the year of the 'vinyl only' night, but here we are. Having said that, such a resurgence requires a parallel rediscovery in music. And as much as I love the man, there's only so many times you can hear a James Brown 45 in a bar.

In steps Edinburgh based reissue label Athens of the North. Sticking mainly to the 7" format, they provide the vinyl community with stunning rare soul and disco reissues on what seems like a weekly basis. Owner and serial digger Euan Fryer seems to have an almost unlimited knowledge of rare and obscure soul treats, and puts them out to us in our favourite format. And it seems he has been a busy man, as this week sees a whopping 6 fresh releases, all of which hit the stores tomorrow. 

Our pick of the week is John Heartsman's 'Mr. Magic'. Undoubtably the prefect kind of funk groove, just dirty enough to keep you hooked while being crisp enough to bang in the speakers. I've had it on repeat pretty much ever since it came through the door this week and I can't imagine turning it off any time soon. In addition to this there's a 12 from the 'Fruit' LP, a lovely left field number by Felony Theft, trippy disco from Strange, some rock-drenched boogie by Flipside and the full 45 version of Jax Transit Authority's "Life is a Miracle'.

All this should be enough to keep our speakers bumping till the end of the year with ease, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if there were plenty more coming. Thank you Mr Fryer for keeping the funk alive! Keep doing what you're doing...

You can listen to them and grab your copies here.

         Pomrad's latest album "Knights" hits the stores tomorrow, and I have to say it really is something special. There are times when a new scene comes about in music, and it's often difficult to pinpoint exactly when that takes place. It seems to me it's more like a gradual process with every artist contributing something until the scene is well and truly recognised. In this instance, it's still quite difficult to work out. You can trace the sound back to the 70's with artists like George Clinton and Herbie Hancock, but more recently and more obviously, J Dilla. From there artists like Flying Lotus and Kaytranada have taken it to the logical next step, taking influence from the broader world of modern electronic music. Enter Pomrad, combining all of this history with influence from his contemporaries at Soulection, HW&W and some other notable labels in the genre.

        Pomrad, aka Adriaan Van de Velde, exercises his keyboarding mastery on his latest work, integrating it perfectly with flawless modern production to provide something truly unique. The album takes you on a journey through powerful funk fused with modern electronic music, with a smattering of ridiculous keyboard chops chucked in for good measure. The result is a truly great addition to the beats movement.

       The title track "Knights" is an instant classic, taking all of the above and chucking in some prime vocal cuts reminiscent of the UK garage scene. The retro synthesiser patches fill the album with a classy nod back to the 80's, with the off-beat trap drum tracks bringing it right into the 21st century. On top of this there are some lovely vocal features to give this the feel of a proper studio album. These elements are brought together with the crispness of production you'd expect to find on a top deep house track. What's not to like?

       Having already been featured by Joe Kay on Soulection Radio, and having gathered plaudits such as Giles Peteron, you have to assume Pomrad is gonna go far! Let's see where the scene takes us...

You can find the LP here

The London music scene never ceases to impress, and there are moments when you can't help but feel truly proud to be in this city. With the release of Moses Boyd's 'Rye Lane Shuffle' and forthcoming album, this is one of those moments.

Described as London's answer to Art Blakey, Moses Boyd combines his mastery of the drums with experimental composition and skilled modern production to provide the complete package, and he doesn't disappoint on any count. The swelling brass arrangements and accomplished solos are carried along smoothly by that rolling drum track provided by the man himself. All this is brought together expertly by Floating Points and Four Tet on the desk, demonstrating the kind of mixdown mastery that you come to expect from this pair. The only thing left wanting is another ten minutes of effortless soloing, but I'm prepared to wait for the live performance to have that wish fulfilled.

Having already secured a MOBO in 2015 for best Jazz act, Moses Boyd has made his grand entrance to the scene. And with plaudits ranging from Gilles Peterson to Lonnie Liston Smith you know this man is gonna go far. 

Grab a copy of Rye Lane Shuffle 12" here

From increasingly popular Mississippi Records comes another fine compilation from the heart of Africa. Although actually out in 2013, the Rook Records team has embarrassingly just stumbled across this one. Featuring the likes of Mulatu Astatqe and Getatchew Kassa, this LP never ceases to surprise. Take some rusty saxophones and lo-fi rhythm sections, add in some hard funk breaks and the occasional tribal drum and you've found out what Assiyo Bellema is all about.

There seems to be a resurgence of this particular brand of African music these days, and long may it continue. With the likes of Madlib and Oh No ripping these breaks in recent years, we've seen people from across the musical spectrum checking out these artists. Who'd have thought in the 2010's would be the era for old African funk breaks. And thanks to the likes of Mississippi Records, these rare gems are being reissued on wax all the time.

Watch this space for more releases along these lines. In the meanwhile, this album will be back in stock next week so make sure to grab a copy.