Rhythm & Sound: W/ The Artists (Burial Mix) - CD
I've worn this out so much that I can't remember a time before I had this. As if they've always been around. Of course without argument it's ace. Only those with a serious aversion to bass should avoid this.

Paul St. Hiliare (formerly known as Tikiman) manages to keep it abstract with his minimalist turn on 'Jah Rule', but it's the vocal offerings of The Chosen Brothers and Cornel Campbell that resonate the most.

Upsetters: 14 Dub Blackboard Jungle (Auralux) - CD
One of the first dub albums to come out way back in 1973, this has been re-issued numerous times: all inferior in audio quality. This 2004 attempt by London-based Auralux makes a point of retaining the original's production through analog mastering. Not that I can tell a difference, these tunes would sound fantastic even if played back on the lamest system.

Anyway if you've no time to trawl through the immense back catalogue of either Lee 'Scratch' Perry or the genre marked dub, then rest assured that this is an essential release. Just purchase it and pretend you've known all along.

DJ 3000: Migration (Motech) - CD
Some interesting moments, but I couldn't bring myself to actually finish listening to this pretty abysmal contribution to the folder marked 'dance'. Some suspect notions of world music can be heard in amongst the tedious rhythm programming. Cultural hijacking of the worst kind, best described in one horrific word: fusion.

Homelife: Guru Man Hubcap Lady (Ninja Tune) - CD
Originally released in August 2004, this is Homelife's fifth album since starting activity in '98. Consisting of a large number of musicians that drift in and out of each release (Discogs counts 17 members) - most notable member being 808 State's Graham Massey.

Filed under jazz, this is anything but. From disco-flavoured jams to bossa-nova beats, its eclectic without being noodly. It's the tracks with Faron Brooks' heartfelt vocal delivery that hit home. The overdrive pop ballad 'Harder' and the shuffle guitar slide of 'April Sunshowers'. Clear, bright production merely enhance what is an already superior selection of jazz pop trickery. A hit!

Rainstick Orchestra: the floating glass key in the sky (Ninja Tune) - CD
I'm always suspect of any band that calls themselves an 'orchestra'. Just smacks of broadsheet aspirations and arts funding pretentiousness. Nonetheless the orchestra in question here is a duo of Japanese twentysomethings that seem to escape their corporate work lifestyle by producing pleasant Reich-lite ambience. Clinical, austere, precise. Sunday morning listening for clear spring days, your iTunes will thank you.

Enterplay: Water & Dust (Arm Records) - CD
Bland, bland and more bland. DJ's turned dance producers from Switzerland and Japan crack heads to produce ever redundant variations of jazz and techno. Way too long with ideas stretched to breaking point. Thoughts of blood-letting and self-harm spring to mind when I hear this.