Back catalogue: All genres

Review: On 'Heavennnnnn', Detroit vocalist and producer Deon Jamar evinces soul salacity like no other, following up his last Altars LP with a three-tracker of shimmering thymic neo soul, tempered by electronic smoothening and fine motor skills from recording to fine-tuning. Again released on the experimental and newly inaugural Black Music label - conceived as an "art exhibit, concert, and party series founded by Deon and Brian Oscar" - these are soul stopovers to contrast the earlier three-parter's drastic Detroit breakdowns. The title track has a Rhodes line to die for, its trembling amplitude constructively interfering with any sense of forestalled time we might've brought to the listening experience beforehand; 'Salvation Steps' and 'Little James Birthday' provide further versatility over understated percussions and G-funk slapping radio leakage. A promising continuation in sound by a label you'd best keep your eye on.

Review: In 1979, the Washington-based Janice Lakers Quintet recorded this fetching demo, beloved for its formal attending to the joy of making music together. With Lakers on vocals, Dick Cady on piano, Mike Edwards on woodwinds, Larry Turner on bass and Fred Taylor on drums, the group delivered two unique covers, each worked into their own signature style. Their take on Seawind's 'He Loves You' strips back the funk, replacing it with a light, effortless glide. Taylor's whisking drums and Turner's steady bassline lay an airy foundation, while Edwards' clarinet and Cady's piano inject bursts of energy mid-song. On the flip, 'Shaker Song' bridges Spyro Gyra's instrumental and Manhattan Transfer's later vocal version; richer in texture, it offered Lakers a chance to explore her vocal range, closing with lively scatting.

Review: Born and raised in Chicago, Durty Truth Records founder Darryn Jones delivers a couple of corkers for North-East England re-edit imprint Hot Biscuit Recordings. A-side 'In The Bush' is a thrillingly heavyweight jam - an Afro-funk meets Afro-disco version of a track made famous by US disco and boogie outfits, which Jones has expertly extended and rearranged in all the right places. B-side 'In The Know', meanwhile, is a take on a more classic-sounding slab of Afro-disco that boasts a superb "walking bassline", extended electric piano solos, sultry strings and a fine male lead vocal.

Review: There is no questioning Jovonn's deep house credentials. Smooth groves have long since oozed out of the American master and now comes another flow of goodness on the Next Moon label's first foray into vinyl. 'Back In The Dark' has it all - the spoken word consciousness, the glowing jazz chords and the cuddly beats. 'Moov' Sphere' gets more dark with bleeping synth sequences and what sound like wind sounds all darting about the mix and then 'Keep On Dancin'' lands nice and heavy of dusty drums with swinging hits and Roy Ayres-style melodic goodness. Last of all is the most raw and evocative of the lot with a spoken word sermon making 'Jessie's Speech' really cut through.

Review: JR Disc has already become a firm part of the Detroit new school with his two previous outings on this label. Once again here he shows off his raw but emotionally poignant style and knack for a catchy groove. 'Bust' has rusty hi-hat sounds and deep, cavernous bass with rough edge drums a la Omar S. 'Wonder Traxx 1' then picks up the pace with heavy but inviting kicks that are again all frayed and dusty while some jazzy melodies bring a cheeky and playful twist. Pure Motor City gold if you ask us.