Recloose - Ain't Changin' [Planet-E/K7] (US/UK)

Recloose returns from remix land with his first solo release since the excellent "Can't Take It" 12" from last year.

The pressure to innovate remains with a more developed and mature production style, taking cues from the "Broken Beat" sound and folding in some Detroit magic. A dirty tech organ leads the track with diverse vocals from Justin Chapman of KemeticJust and backup vocals by Genevieve.

The overall effect is a release of great depth and intelligence that sets the bar that bit higher. A DJ friendly instrumental is included along with a darker house mix from Carl Craig. The album "Cardiology" is out may 14th and should be a bit of a gem. Dan Bond

Various - Future Electro 01: Jazz [Apricot] (UK) LP/CD

For "Future Electro" read nu-jazz, under ANOTHER pseudonym!!! Certainly a varied selection, and definitely one with a number of choice cuts, but whether there's anything to put this above the rest, in an already saturated market, is something else? Only time, and sales, will tell - Gorodisch's "The Strangest Feeling" is a minimal affair, with old school drumming, an impressive double bass and a somber key melody. UFO's remix of Art Konik's "Finger" takes slow paced earthy percussion, a thudding bass, a bent guitar and adjusted vocals, to produce an ingenious reinterpretation.

The Ladbroke Grove crew are never far away, and this time it's I G Culture who pops up with stuttered pointed percussion, a growling bass and pressed piano, for Julie Dexter's "The Plan". Bonobo's "Silver" is an exquisite slice of tenderness, with a distraught violin, heavy floor shuddering percussion, a mellow sax and incredible keys. Flashes of brilliance from a number of talented producers should set this on equal footing with the rest of the nu-jazz compilations out there. Jon Freer

Various - Music & Movement One (Compiled by DJ Nik Weston) [Climate] (UK) LP/CD

Part of the whole Jazz FM conglomerate, this debut from Climate sees respected DJ and PR man, Nik Weston, select (but not mix) a selection of cuts which all loosely fall into the currently hip nu-jazz genre. Leaning heavily toward the Ladbroke Grove end of London and Co-op sound, the instantly more likeable and slightly dancefloor orientated CD1 is filled with an array of choice cuts. The second CD shows off Nik's laidback side, with a mixture of bossa, jazzier elements of future soul and more, with a couple of exclusives thrown in for good measure.

Modaji's "Outside From The Inside" marries tender "classic jazz" vocals with wavering crescendoing strings, awe struck keys and a slinking funked-out bass. Tortured Soul feat Christian Urich's "I Might Do Something Wrong" remixed by man of the moment, Osunlade, sees soft 4/4's, growing golden keys and Christian's almost female hi-pitched self conscious vocal combine to produce the only distinctly "House" track of the collection. Da One Away's blistering "Trash Da Junk" is a voyage of digital pointed broken beats, with a bold bass, enlagring keys, tip toeing vocals and a scrunched hot-footed synth. Cutting to CD 2, the best moment arrives in the shape of Fauna Flashe's revisit of Hajime Yoshizawa's "Endless Bow". Taking fizzing live kit percussion, everlasting dreamy jazzed keys, enticing vocals and a fluid bass, those German's have produced something magical again.

CD 1 shines the brightest, but there are still cuts on CD 2 to hold even those with the shortest of attention spans. My only question, is, why is this type of stuff so few and far between on Jazz FM's playlist? It is station that I'm sure would like to be seen as championing new sounds and as cutting edge, not only looking towards the past or artists that use tried and tested formulae. JF

Uschi Classen - Soul Magic [Earth Project] (UK) LP/CD

A classically trained musician, with a proven track record, Uschi finally drops her debut album for London's impressive Earth Project. Taking influences from a wide range of sources she has produced a diverse album, which visits a number of genres. The only problem with that, is that things don't always flow as you'd expect.

After listening to the title track, "Soul Magic", one could be forgiven for weeping at the beauty of the summery golden acoustic guitar, head nodding percussion and Dee Ellington's at one with nature vocal. "Dizzy Heights", featuring Eska, is a vertigo inducing number, with naturally spinning vocals, a tense stretched out string/key combined melody and familiar sounding live percussion. "She" is Uschi's stab at a 2 step 4/4 amalgamative cut, with attractive running keys, a maze-like electric guitar, gorgeous bass and sweet title vocal.

The final cut, "Only In Your Eyes", a collaboration with House veteran Robert Owens, is a tender acoustic guitar journey, where rustling percussion, Robert’s "in-love" vocals and delightful keys combine wonderfully. However, not all the tracks on the album hold the same allure as those mentioned above, and unfortunately, some of the weirder and more abstract cuts may prove to be a little too experimental for many a listener. All in all, still worth it, even if just for the musical bliss of the title track, which could brighten up even the cloudiest of skies. JF

Morgan Page - Drifting Into View [Nordic Trax] (Canada) LP/CD

After chalking up a number of EP releases, and remixes for some of the biggest names, Morgan finally unleashes his debut LP. "Drifting" focuses on lush soundscapes, melodic nuances and a steady deep vibe, which is prevalent throughout. However this is not just a standard House long player, but instead, a journey through a number of faster and slower paced cuts.

Many of these are outstanding slices of beautiful melodious deep musicianship, while a couple at least, feel like padding, and the inclusion of a "Radio Edit" of "All I Need" seems unnecessary. "All I Need" featuring the vocals of Colette, shows Morgan can produce a wonderful vocal track, with its cleanly cut percussion, divine keys, a golden acoustic guitar and loving vocals.

"Horizon" slows things down, as live twiddled percussion meanders over an obese break, mistry-eyed keys, a soft bass and flared keys. "Where You Belong" is the outstanding House instrumental, where haunting keys, a prickly synth, a succulent bass and a twinkling piano have their say. "What I've Seen" opts for mid-tempo, as clear polished digital keys, a graceful string-synth duet and low-down bass chill all like an ice-cool beer on a warm summer's day. An impressive debut, for someone who"s set for even greater things in the future. JF

Q-Burns Abstract Message - Live DJ Mix Jan 16, 2002 (CD-R)

Mix online at qburns.com, labeled "Mix One". Q-Burns is a renowned producer, and this mix CD shows off both his DJing and production skills. This mix builds from laidback Latin influenced grooves (after kicking off with a FSOL chilled groove) to full blown dirty house via oddball percussed and bizarre bass led numbers). Many of the tracks are your standard House tackle, but most have that extra quirk to set Q-Burns somewhere removed from the next DJ.

The "Horn Dub" of Salome De Bahia"s "Torment D"Amour" sees the spellbinding stand-out vocal chatter over clattered percussion a bass that"s been put through a blender. Q-Burns' own "This Time" featuring the lovely Lisa Shaw, remixed by Rivera Rotation, is by far the most ear catching track, with its appetising keys, Latin guitars, hypnotic vocal and carnival breakdown.

Rob Mello's "Fantasize" takes a break-neck paced happy-go-lucky synth, a suggestive vocal and a rolled bass on an energetic bouncy ride. Toof''s "Toof" shows that it doesn't take itself too seriously, as fancy funny keys and an uncontrollable swish synth set things on their way, as a jazz piano breakdown adds the extra dimension. Worth visiting his website for. JF

Slow Supreme - Granada/Flesh (Jazid Recordings)

Young Norwegian pretender Hans-Peter Lindstrom reheats a double helping of quality house which first appeared on a limited ten inch several months ago, the afro beat influenced B side Granada becoming something of an underground favourite. Both tracks display real individuality and character,clearly identifying this guy as a talent to watch.

Lindstrom carries off the combination of live and analogue sounds with aplomb, creating an EP which splices elements of jazz and disco together in a way which is both original and accessible. Lead track Flesh will instantly strike a chord with fans of the Idjut Boys brand of sleaze laden dub disco while the flip's more immediate driving percussion and infectious keys will find favour on any sussed dancefloor. An excellent record also likely appeal to fans of (cringe) nu jazz labels such as Compost. Tim AM

DHJ - Feel Your Spirit (DiY Discs)

Digs & Woosh picked up this track from an American label whose name escapes me after growing rather attached to it over the previous summer, and they should be well rewarded for their astuteness as this is a fine piece of raw Kerri Chandler influenced garage with three quality remixes. Having said that the original remains my personal favourite, classic house very much in the mould of early King Street which could be played by anyone from Tony Humphries to the Inland Knights. Tak records, Digs and Woosh and Nottingham's Schmoov provide the remixes, each of which is effective in its own right without deviating massively from the original, giving you DHJ's original vocal over variously flavoured night grooves. T

Domu - Body Electric (Archive)

Broken beat boy wonder Domu returns on Italy's Archive label with a typically forward thinking twelve. Old school Detroit influences are apparent here as well as a jazz sensibility, creating an intelligent yet tough percussive number unlikely to find favour with Brandon Block. Certain to please all devotees of the much vaunted West London sound (geographical note to highlight stupidity of such terms - Domu comes from Bedford), it comes respendent with a useful deep house mix on the flip. Quality. T

Nail - A Kitten (Classic)

Bent co-conspirator Nail dishes up a couple of deep dancefloor cuts on Carter's label. 'Slap My Ass' is a fair house groove hampered somewhat by a vocal sample that treads the fine line between irritating and likeable for a couple of minute before ending up firmly in the former camp, while 'Hurt U' lays on the sleaze with a hypnotic male vocal and lazy shuffling beats. It's very late night house music which will work brilliantly in context ie. played somewhere between midnight and midday in a dark room full of people in no hurry to get to bed. T

Smile - Theo Parrish (Music Is)

Repress pressure on UK label Music Is. Although this track's been around for awhile Theo's in no danger of sounding dated. His music exists outside of the fads and fashions which dominated the fickle world of dance music, in a world where house music is a political statement, a modern analogue of Africa's tribal rhythms which can be used to reflected emotions less fleeting than the Ecstasy high of a Saturday night dancefloor. Icy chords and sluggish, chattering drums dominate the lead track, music which is sparse yet infinitely for meaningful and challenging than most of what passes for house music these days. The future via the past. T

The Truth - Beatless (Ubiquity)

'All you have to do is testify' quoth this vocal cut from Alex Attias' Beatless outfit. Sentiments which a certain disgraced member of parliament doubtless regrets not adhering to... Fortunately Beatless fail to live up to their name on this release, providing a find piece of deep male vocal percussive house, exquisitely produced and oozing quality. The track eschews breakdowns, opting instead to gradually layer on drums and vocals, subtly building in a fashion that will make people who like soulful music very happy. And probably ensuring they won't make much cash out of it. Great record though. T

Natural Rhythm - Dimensions (LP) / Under the Counter (UK)

Natural Rhythm's virgin long player is quite a departure from there usual straight up deep-tech style, but the've carried it of pretty well. The tracks range from camp disco numbers, more melacholic funk smoothies through to the tech funk we all love (check the excellent "grease"). The opening tribal minimalism of "4U" contrasts sharply against the sun kissed "Miss Me". Lovers of cheese are represented by the gooey sentiments of "Celebrate" and "Dream On". Smooth production, nice improv throughout and 6/8 good track ratio make this LP worth picking up. DB

Norma Jean-Bell - Come into my room - Pandamonium (US)

Moodymann steps in for the remix on his mate's Norma's latest. Almost ambient lilting vocals and MM's wicked production style save this from a world of cheese. The Sparkling techno intro, smooth sax and shuffling disco kick will warm the cockles of your heart, though slightly tainted by the same tunes on both sides trick, still worth seeking purchase from your local vendor. DB

Azymuth - Pieces of Ipanema - Far Out (UK)

Latin Jazz Funkers Azymuth get the remix treatment from ex(?)-Globals man Mark Pritchard. A lush bubbling bassline and a cut-up style incoprporating the trademark GC melodies and strings. Good to see they haven't lost their touch. Highly reccomended. DB

Swirl People - We are - Seasons (US)

The a side "Don't Mother Me" is Nice minimal sample led bumping house number with some cool syncopation and warm bass . . . lovely. "We Are" on the flip is a solid keyboard led groover which would make a nice sandwich filler. "Call Bert" however is a large lump of 70's stinky disco sampling camebert that I don't really fancy much. DB