We're expecting big things from this 28 year-old Londoner. Like Florence and the Machine crossed with PJ Harvey and Shirley Bassey, this is dark, mature music for serious music fans and casual listeners alike. These ten songs are multi-textured, thrilling and chilling- Calvi is going to be around for a long time...
Luke Abbott- Holkham Drones (Border Community)
We're thrilled to welcome Border Community to our list of associate labels, and this record should give you an idea why. This is an album of elegant, pastoral, shoegaze dance music. Layer upon layer of warm texture supports the four-four rhythm in a dreamlike haze, and make this sound as perfect at full volume as it does in headphones. Understandable why Abbott gets mentioned in the same sentences as Four Tet, and to be honest, Keiren Hebden ought to be flattered.
Fujiya & Miyagi- Ventriloquizzing (Full Time Hobby)
Following on from previous metronomic/Kosmiche vibes, Fujiya & Miyagi here deliver a record of sophisticated electro-pop, more along the lines of Hot Chip than Suicide. Soft around the edges and held together by David Best's distinctive, hushed vocal, this is going to be geting a lot of airplay from us.
The Phoenix Foundation- Buffalo (Memphis Industries)
Phoenix Foundation are a six-piece from New Zealand whi have been making music for some ten years now. Now signed to UK-based Memphis Industries, they've dropped their fourth album of joyous indie-pop, major chords and instantly memorable hooks. Charming and colourful, playful and lighthearted, this is just what we need at this time of year.
As a supporter of Ralph Lawson's hugely respected house label from the very beginning- fifteen years ago- it seems entirely appropriate that Detroit DJ hero Stacey Pullen should put together the latest 20:20 collection. a journey through the label's back catalogue, taking in choice house, tech, disco and electro this is a great introduction to the label, and it's a pleasure to hear Pullen's selection from a formidable catalogue.
Myron & E with the Soul Investigators- The Pot Club
Another label we're absolutely delighted to welcome on board is Finnish deep-funk-groove experts Timmion. Their latest release, this seven inch, features California-based soul duo Myron & E (who are in the midst of finishing their full-length LP for the label) and the Timmion in-house collective the Soul Investigators. Soul, funk and b-boy breaks, they way it should be done. This was never going to be anything less than outstanding, and we eagerly awaited the rest of this collaboration's output.
Erland & The Carnival- Map Of An Englishman (Full Time Hobby)
First single from the band's secong album 'Nightingale', this is a Syd Barrett-esque concept single, whereby the band play seperate parts to relate to different parts of the 'map' of a person's consciousness. While this might seem gloomy and confusing, E&TC have created one of their poppiest moments to date. Clocking in at just over two and a half minutes, this bodes very well for their sophomore record.
Rikki Ililonga & Musi-O-Tunya- Dark Sunrise (Stones Throw)
An absolute goldmine of Zambian psychedlic rock from the masters of the rarity, Stones Throw. Twenty five tracks that mix James Brown's grooves, Jimi Hendrix's fuzzy psychedelia, Taj Mahal's blues and Fela's afrobeat. Stones Throw releases always excite us, and this is no exception. Compilation of the year so far, and it's going to take some beating. Recommended.