Here is a very small selection of the new music we've been playlisting this month:
Sandy Barber - The Best is Yet To Come (BBE)
Mining the seam of obscure soul gold, BBE prove once again why we love them so much by re-issuing this 1977 gem. A record of this calibre that more or less disappeared on its release (and, of course, ended up changing hands for big money) epitomises what BBE do so well, and this album of disco-tinged New York dancefloor soul and forlorn ballads is just the thing for the January blues. Save yourself a couple of hundred quid by picking up this immaculate re-issue.
Raf Vilar - Studies in Bossa (Far Out)
An alternative antidote to the bleakness of a New Year comes in the shape of Raf Vilar, Far Out's newest Brazilian boss of bossa. It's the modern sound of 1960s samba and jazz, and a contemporary take on the folk sound of that exciting, inventive explorative time and place. Electronic elements remind us that this isn't a re-issue, rather the sound of a man who was born in Rio, moved to Brick Lane and had the vision and foresight to create a record of such glorious vintage.
Francois and The Atlas Mountains - E Volo Love (Domino)
Having been brought to our attention originally by the wonderful Fence label, Francois and The Atlas Mountains have just become Domino's first French signings. Band leader Francois Marry describes the band as an "open collective", and indeed, they currently include Glasgow's Gerard Black as the only non-Frenchman. West African rhythms support a lilting French vocal, and a sense of joyous pop fun runs throughout. Music that crosses borders and boundaries, and a band that are likely to be a huge draw (for those in the know) on their forthcoming tour.
Kabanjak - Back On Time (Best of) (Switchstance)
Ingo 'Kabanjak' Moell is responsible for much of the more soulful side of German snowboard-themed breaks label Switchstance, and to call this compilation a 'best of' is no injustice. Clearly as much a fan of vintage cinema scores and library music as he is of modern electronica and studio trickery, Moell makes sophisticated grooves for clued-up dancefloors and discerning apres-parties.
The Magnetic Fields - 69 Love Songs (Domino)
Utterly classic indie milestone gets a re-release from Domino, twelve years after Stephin Merritt realised that concept albums don't need to be corny. Or that they don't even need a theme. Setting the bar for the likes of Animal Collective, Deerhunter and Fleet Foxes; this album of shimmering, lo-fi, psychedelic, Beach Boys-referencing exploratory folk acoustics deserves a place in every home. The fact that you can get it for the price of a re-issue now should make your mind up for you.
Polar M - Northern Birds (Nomadic Kids Republic)
Our genuinely globe-trotting selection of January Music now finds us in Kyoto, Japan, home of one Masumi Muranaka. The sound artist builds layers of guitar around robust beat structures and subtle synths, creating a music that's as simultaneously haunting as it is confrontational, and as delicate as it is solid. We'll certainly be doing what we can to spread this glorious sound to a wider public.
Seventeen Evergreen - Psyentist (Lucky Number)
More psychedelic pop experimentalism, this time from Open Ear favourites Seventeen Evergreen. The San Franciscan duo do what they do best (even if not often enough) on this new EP - make epic, modern, electronic pop. Groovy, smart and beautiful music designed for a galaxy far, far away in a not-too-distant future. Interdimensional pop perfection sounds like synths, strings and beats, and it's here now!
Plug - Back On Time (Ninja Tune)
Anything by Luke Vibert is always going to get the thumbs up from us, and this selection from his unreleased back-catalogue certainly is no exception. Vibert's a man of many musical masks, as this cross-section illustrates. At no point does it come across as one of his focused/concept alter-egos, the themes he's addressed in the past seem now to run through every piece here, yet somehow this has nothing of the vibe of a compilation about it. Either gliding or jolting between genres, this journey into the mind of one of the most talented producers we've known shows his aptitude in writing electro, Dn'B, soul and house in a way that any of his individual albums is ever likely too.