HIPHOP/NUJAZZ/SOUL/HOUSE/ELECTRONICA

 

You always know what you're going to get with Jazzanova. Great sounding music exquisitely produced and arranged, be it is their's or someone else'; at least one pleasant surprise you weren't expecting, oh and lots of songs you won't hear commercially. 'Home Cooking' is yet another slice of smooth soul, hip hop, jazz, r n b and electronica fused together with care, 'just like mama used to make.' Hence the title and superb selection of cover art - most apt! Some stand-out tracks (and trust me this was a hard choice) are 'Soulhpictions,' 'Love Thang' and the pleasant surprise that turned out to be the incredibly jazzy 'Macedonia' by Third Eye. BC

POP

 

A woman who needs no introduction, Tracey has teamed up with Ewan Pearson on her new solo album after choosing not to work with Ben Watt. The result is fairly good. A diverse collection of songs that emphasize her vocal talent, meaningful songwriting skills and Pearson's above average production skills. The first single to be released, 'It's All True,' features an excellent remix by Pearson and Darshan from Metro Area and is worth buying for any respectable club DJs out there. The album is juxtaposed between MOR and experimental electronica. This means a diverse range of sounds but gives the feeling it doesn't know what it is or where it’s headed. BC

INDIE ROCK

 

Ping Pong Bitches are as salacious and lascivious as their name would suggest, prowling about like Alison Goldfrapp's depraved little sisters in a robot sex show. Their live shows are pure 21^st Century rock and roll, and unusually for a band with such an infamous live assault, their venomous bite loses none of its teeth on their new record 'Alphadog.' From the breathless electronica delights of 'Roc Ya Body,' to the geisha coyness of 'Kinky Boots,' PPB ooze sensuality from every pore, but also rock harder than most of the ladyboy-bands with guitars. Feel the coursing adrenaline of 'Rock Action' and 'Beat You Up' if you’re in any doubt. Franz Ferdinand may have wanted to make rock music for girls to dance to but Ping Pong Bitches have actually achieved it. Find an 'Alphadog' and give it a good home. KK

Tech House

 

Music seems to have a natural cycle, and at the moment Sven Vath's brand of Tech House is on an upward spiral. This 2 disc mix brings the sound of Sven's Seventh season at his 'Cocoon' residency in Ibiza. Holding down an increasingly popular night in Ibiza for seven years is a great achievement and Sven Vath has shown himself to be a true pioneer. Disc 1 offers a mix called Wild representing peak dancefloor moments, while Disc 2 offers a more eclectic mix called Life. Overall this is a very strong compilation and you’ll be hard pushed to find many better this year. DF