Gee Recordings/Lawson Entertainment Japan Vinilo y CD

Review: Voodoos & Taboos unveil their anticipated new LPs series with Human Aventura, the debut self-titled album from the promising Corsican producer. An unusual dance release modelling itself on electro and chiptune, but finding itself somewhere in the hidden interstice between them, this is a self-described "libidinous Mediterranean spoken disco" album, giving elements of Telex or Kraftwerk, albeit with a progressive bent best heard on pithy cuts 'Solid State Scouter'. Not one to be missed for those who like it intelligent, fidgety and FMmy.

Review: Soul Sugar's signature, fruitful blend of reggae and soul once more oozes forth with 'Top Of My List'. Featuring the vocals of Shniece McMenamin, the track is a liquefyingly dreamy song, unhesitatingly letting in the sunny rays of rocksteady through the Venetians. But in contrast to the mood, it also tells the dubious story of our protagonist placing their self-respect and self-love in the hands of a former lover, with social-fabric-tearing consequences, a funk from which McMenamin sings to help pick up the pieces. The dub version helps; it's a refractive and soft version, emphasising more atmosphere than hardness or forward propulsion.