New State Vinilo y CD

Review: Here comes an exemplary slice of dub/drum & bass hybridization from Congo Natty, who has been helming up slick fusions of these genres since the early 1990s. His first album in eight years, 'Ancestorz' as a title should be indicative enough. The LP explores the indigenous roots and influences of jungle music, from its historic use of African rhythms to samples of Native American flutes. Collaborations with artists as far-flung as Eva Lazarus, Blackout JA, Akala, Maverick Sabre, Courtney Melody and Shabaka Hutchings are all in tow, showing off Natty's love for contemporary bass music and maturer sounds in equal measure.

Review: Paul Oakenfold's classic Southern Sun from 2002 gets revisited here at a time when trance music seems to be very much back in fashion from the old-school parties that never went away to the new-school techno kids adding it with trendy twists to their sounds. It is the trance titan Tiesto who steps up first and keeps it deep and emotive on his version. The chords are Balearic and sun-kissed with a hint of melancholy that will surely appeal to DJs and dancers across multiple genres. The Gabriel & Dresden unplugged remix is more driving and hard-hitting, with snappy snares and a train track-like groove that builds up and sweeps you off your feet.

Review: The generous run of Zero 7 reissues continues with the welcome return of their 2006 LP "The Garden". While it received something of a frosty reception on release, this album has refined with age to become a fan favourite and an all-round wonderfully accomplished work that highlights all the best qualities of Henry Binns and Sam Hardaker. From lush, starry-eyed and '60s tinged psychedelia to bittersweet pop and plenty of lounge-ready moods, it's incredibly easy to sink into like all the Zero 7 material, but shot through with depth to keep you listening attentively. Sia also makes some standout appearances, not least "Throw It All Away" and "Waiting To Die", while Jose Gonzalez is on stunning form too. Fans have been waiting a long time for this, and no doubt there will be plenty more converts to the Zero 7 sound too.

Review: Say hello once again to an old friend - mid '00s lounge soundtrackers extraordinaire Zero 7 are reissuing their second LP When It Falls. The follow-up to their best-selling "Simple Things", this album found the pair exploring a more psychedelic, funky sound without losing that smooth finish that made their music so massively popular first time round. From the laid back groove of "Passing By" to the brooding soul of the title track, this is the kind of album that goes down easy and sets the perfect mood in the room. The production is second to none, and considering the eye-watering prices the original pressing fetches online, there should be a lot of people happy to see this one back in print.