Zero dB - One Offs, Remixes and B Sides
(2xCD) Tru Toughts TRUCD209, 2009-02-22

With their exhilarating and influential 2006 album Bongos, Bleeps and Basslines (Ninja Tune) sparking the kind of universal critical love-in that most producers can only dream of, and still sounding as fresh today as ever, pioneering underground duo Zero dB have now brought together their One Offs, Remixes and B Sides for release on Tru Thoughts in February 2010. As if the mere prospect of a new release by Zero dB weren’t enough to get tongues wagging and feet dancing, this 2 CD, 23 track monster boasts the best of a truly humungous catalogue of remixes courtesy of luminaries including Moonstarr, Aaron Jerome and Seiji among others. It also heralds a first and eagerly-awaited CD release for a handful of highly sought-after cuts - not least Hextatic's Distorted Minds (Zero dB mix), the Dave Da Gato Mix of Seven By Seven by Inverse Cinematics and the almighty Zero dB classic, The Snare - that were previously only available on limited vinyl and all snapped up by eagle-eared fans way back when. And, in addition to the big names and rarities on this latest addition to Tru Thoughts' esteemed One Offs… artist compilation series, there's also completely new and exclusive material including the immense Dave Da Gato's F_ck-Up The Festivals Bounce version of Universe by Alice Russell, bringing the soul diva/national treasure’s song to the heady, neck-snapping heights of euphoric club nastiness. One Offs, Remixes and B Sides is not only an essential listen for existing fans of Zero dB's unique concoction of Latin heat, jazz colour, startling beats and pure bassline filth, but for anyone who has been remotely moved by dance music in the last half decade.

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Andreya Triana - Lost Where I Belong (incl. Flying Lotus Remix)
(Download) Ninja Tune ZENDNLS254, 2010-02-08

Welcome, please, Andreya Triana. The singer whose past credits include work with Mr Scruff, Flying Lotus, Theo Parrish and Bonobo releases the first single from her forthcoming debut album, Lost Where I Belong. "Lost Where I Belong", like the rest of the album which will follow, is produced by Simon Green aka Bonobo, this track being co-written with Fink. The album came about before Bonobo and Triana worked on a track for his lastest album and ended up touring the US together. A beautiful, subtle slice of jazz and folk-inflected soul, Lost Where I Belong is, Andreya explains, a microcosm of what her album is all about. "The underlying theme of the song is even though we can strongly and clearly know what our purpose is in life we can still get a bit lost along the way and struggle sometimes". Bonobo builds subtle live strings, brass and effortless-but-understated drum work around the gorgeousness of Triana's voice and lush harmonies. The remix comes from sometime associate and collaborator Flying Lotus who takes the original vocal out into the (LA) galaxy - all space fizzes and filtered drums - before Andreya roots it right back down again with an acoustic version which shows just how affecting her voice is, with Fink and Bonobo both lending a hand on guitar and double bass. No diva-histrionics here - just an attempt to let the melody and lyrics do the talking.

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Kylie Auldist - Remixes
(12") Tru Thoughts TRU206, 2010-01-11

In A Week, In A Day (Ashley Beedle Streetsoul Edit) is the second single from Kylie Auldist's Made Of Stone album, and on top of the stunning lead track, this 12" also features three other amazing reworks by Hint, Flevans and PTH Projects. Add that collective mass of talent to the raw material of fast-rising star Auldist's classic soul-fuelled grown-up pop credentials, and this 12" is guaranteed to be big news.

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Various - Tru Thoughts 10th Anniversary EP
(12") Tru Thoughts TRUEP202, 2009-11-23

The Tru Thoughts 10th Anniversary juggernaut rolls on, rewarding the vinyl lovers this time with the Tru Thoughts 10th Anniversary EP, a brilliant 12" featuring six of the super-rare tracks off the 'Exclusives' third disc from the much-praised, limited edition 3CD compilation. Featuring Quantic, Hint, Barakas (aka Bonobo), Azaxx, Domu and a rare and welcome return to Tru Thoughts for Freddie Cruger aka Red Astaire, this very heavyweight 12" is out on 23rd November, but is available to buy now on the Etch Shop.

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Various - Ultimate Breaks & Beats - Instrumentals Volume 3
(CD/2xLP) Traffic Entertainment Group, 2009-10-06

Don't know who's playing and producing on this new collection of instrumentals funk covers of classics. The first volume, by El Michels Affair & Friends, is an instant classic, the second one by Mr Chop (Jazzman/Jazz&Milk/Now-Again) is something i'm eager to listen to and if anyone's got info on who's on this new one do'nt hesitate to leave a comment! (Djouls)

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