Various - When Shapes Mix Together - Compiled and mixed by Rob Luis
(Mixed CD/Digital) Tru Thoughts Recordings TRUCD244, 2011-11-21

Produced as a giveaway mix for the huge Tru Thoughts night at Koko in London, this mix was so good they had to offer it for general sale. This mix shows the future direction of the label, with new signings alongside the long-standing Tru Thoughts family. It opens with a hip hop influence: Hint goes space-age hip hop with rapper T Fly; Quantic's Cumbia project covers Missy Elliot; and London legend Rodney P drops a track with a positive message (which we released after the UK riots in 2011) featuring Mighty Moe and other big hitters in the scene. Anchorsong takes us into slow disco/boogie territory before Beta Hector roughs it up with his psychedelic bass basher (helped by an Alice Russell classic scream) followed by Nirobi dropping the Bollywood beats. Sleepin' Giantz is a heavyweight project from Zed Bias, Rodney P and Fallacy, and the track you hear in this DJ mix has been a huge anthem in club sets for the DJs who have managed to get hold of an advance copy. The album it is taken from is one of the best hip hop albums you will hear! Zed Bias is then joined by Mark Pritchard (Warp / Harmonic 313 / Global Communications) for a bass anthem before we move into Debruit taking the Brazilian groove of Saravah Soul down a heavy club route. Hint shows his versatile production styles with his remix of Lanu before we hit drum & bass territory with A Sides' remix of Mark de Clive-Lowe. The set finishes off with the more mellow side of Tru Thoughts. Ambassadeurs take Nostalgia 77 through some synths and basslines; Kinny shows her powerful voice to full effect, and then Belleruche unveil their new style. I just had to include a snippet of the title track off the Quantic & Alice Russell album (you need to check the full version to appreciate those strings) and we finish off with a classic from Maddslinky's influential first LP. Please make sure you check out the other releases by any artists whose tracks you are particularly into on this DJ mix, as there is plenty more good music to be heard from them all." (Rob Luis)

Various - Shapes 11:01 - Compiled by Robert Luis
(2CD/LP with 2CD) Tru Thoughts TRUCD/LP239, 2011-10-10

The new bi-annual Shapes compilation from Tru Thoughts Recordings is coming out in october and once again it's full of classic tracks, new signatures and exlusives for a very cheap price tag. The first CD is a nice selection of horizontal grooves, songs & electronica from the vast palette of style from the label's recent output. Among the discoveries : new signings Anchorsong from Japan, and his trippy live downtempo music, Lossy from East London, a duo of jazz-infused electronica, groovy, soulful and uplifting trip hop, a new track from songstress Kinny, the kind of perfect sweetness for the ears to rub yourself into, the glorious reggae interpretation of the Dr Who Theme by the Smerins Anti-Social Club (only available on a strictly limited 45 for record store day before) and of the Dr. Dre hit Nuthin' But A 'G' Thing cover in cumbia mode by Quantic Y Su Conjunto Los Miticos Del Ritmo (only available on a limited Serato 12 inch before). The second disc is a more clubby, uptempo affair, with a tendancy towards crunchy or bassy speed-ambient. Among the notable new stuff are the afro-wobbly remix by Débruit of Saravah Soul is killer bouncy electro deconstructivism, Hint bringing hard to describe, crazy & addictive dance thingies to the table, and label honcho Rob Luis alias Nirobi who's also there with his heavy bass and percussive dancefloor beats to rock the roof off. Djouls - Paris DJs

Various - BBE 15 - 15 years of Real Music for Real People
Compiled and mixed by Chris Read
(2xCD/Digital) Barely Breaking Even BBE193, 2011-09-27

BBE Records first released the acclaimed Stop and Listen series late in 1996, a series that set the benchmark for latter day copies such as Late Night Tales and included compilers such as the legendary Masters At Work. Mixed by recent addition to the BBE roster Chris Read, BBE 15 is a master class in bringing this music together in one seamless mix, your very own memory lane of BBE's endless highs. From the Beat Generation series which featured Hip Hop legends Pete Rock, Jay Dee, Marley Marl and DJ Jazzy Jeff to household name Will.I.am to the eclecticism of DJ Spinna, King Britt, Madlib and for best measure MFSB string arranger Larry Gold to unreleased gems from Jazz Funk pioneer Roy Ayers. Moreover Aaron Jerome who first cut his teeth with BBE with his debut album Time To Re-Arrange released in 2006 - and has recently been outed as UK Bass talent SBTRKT... 15 years of quality releases: as not-that-cool-funksters would say, "it's a celebration"!

Belleruche - 3 Amp Fuse
(Digital single) Tru Thoughts TRUDD023, 2011-04-04

The third single from Belleruche's highly lauded 270 Stories album is 3 Amp Fuse, to be released digitally on 4th April, closely following the London trio's debut appearance at SXSW. 3 Amp Fuse epitomises the London trio's knack for fashioning a sound that is both catchy and unusual, and cooks up the perfect pop storm; opening with emphatic kettle drums and a driving bassline topped off with Kathrin deBoer's bittersweet, world-worn vocals and suspenseful, staccato strings, it builds to a shuddering crescendo in three minutes on the dot. The 3 Amp Fuse single release features three tasty bonus tracks: 13.6.35 (Natural Self Remix), Scratch My Soul (Loki Remix), and Fuzz Face (Pollyn Remix), all of which will delight and intrigue fans.
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Belleruche - Fuzz Face
(Digital single) Tru Thoughts TRUDD017, 2010-12-06

Heavy-hitting, reverb-toting album opener Fuzz Face is the second single from Belleruche's acclaimed third album, 270 Stories, and will be out digitally on 6th December. Fuzz Face sees the London trio continuing the march towards widespread recognition with a punchy and highly original mix of smouldering vocals, rough, blues-inspired guitar and tough contemporary beats and turntablism. The aesthetically arresting promo video uses a mix of hi and lo tech (the 'lo' end involving 4,500 photocopies of the Belleruche members' faces and various newsagents and copy shops in London's Bethnal Green) to 'fuzz' their faces for an exciting, fresh - and slightly disturbing - visual take on this song, which has garnered huge internet buzz and acclaim including a premiere on The Arts Desk and over 10,000 YouTube views in its first week. As well as the lead track, the Fuzz Face single also includes an essential, brand new and exclusive remix, by current up-and-comer Kidkanevil, of the classic Belleruche track Backyard.
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Various - Shapes 10:02 - Compiled by Rob Luis
(2xCD/Digital) Tru Thoughts TRUCD226, 2010-12-06

The new bi-annual Shapes Compilation from Tru Thoughts is a killer one. 16 tracks on the first CD that make for an enjoyable listen at home or on the mp3 player and 14 on the second one which has an ear to the dancefloor... Including lots of exclusives, new tracks, rare remixes, as always...

Belleruche - 270 Stories
(CD/Digital) Tru Thoughts, 2010-10-11

270 Stories sees the trio hitting their stride with style, tying together all that is distinctive about their off-kilter mix-up of scratchy beats, bluesy guitar and soulful, honeycomb vocals that we know and love, with the unmistakable vibe of a band pushing forward without pretension, letting their ideas roam free and lead them to a new place. In their own words it is "layered, tougher, more aggressive and possibly at the same time more introspective" than their previous, highly acclaimed, long players. Singer Kathrin deBoer ups the ante with multi-layered harmonies that see her skirting the line between sugary and spiky, with a distinctly doo-wop style making an appearance on some tracks. In addition to his unique, bluesy lead stylings, guitarist Ricky Fabulous plays a lot more bass on this album, which makes for a dynamic and irresistible melodic interplay between basslines and vocals. More new and exciting sonic surprises you'll find in the mix include tougher edged beats from turntablist DJ Modest, exploring darker, contemporary influences; all this alongside more rigorous attention to song arrangements and form, harnessing the beautifully dishevelled, charmingly chaotic energy of their music for a powerful result.
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DJ Modest / Belleruche - Call That A Mixtape ? (MP3 Podcast on www.ParisDJs.com) 2010-10-05 After 2007's Turntable Soul Music and 2008's The Express, Belleruche are back this month with their 3rd album, 270 Stories, their most cohesive yet. The trio, comprised of vocalist Kathrin deBoer, guitarist Ricky Fabulous and turntablist DJ Modest, continue with their signature 'soul, guitars, stripped down lo-fi grooves and turntablism scratches' sound, encompassing trip-hop, blues and soul. To celebrate the event, here's an eclectic mix of pop, electro, drum'n'bass, hip hop and more, including an...

Tru Thoughts Artists - Tru Thoughts Compilation
(CD) Tru Thoughts TRUCD216, 2010-09-06

An essential collection highlighting some of the amazing music from the Tru Thoughts record label. Artists include Quantic, Bonobo, Alice Russell, Belleruche, Beth Rowley and Stonephace featuring Adrian Utley (Portishead).

Belleruche - Clockwatching
(7"/Digital) Tru Thoughts TRU7220, 2010-08-23

Out on 23rd August on 7" vinyl and digital download, "Clockwatching" is the first single from London trio Belleruche's upcoming third album, 270 Stories, due for release in October. The video is currently 'Video Of The Week' on Nemone's BBC 6Music lunchtime show (w/c 5 July), accessible on the BBC 6Music website; Belleruche were interviewed on the show on Monday 5th. Already had almost 10,000 YouTube hits in its first 2 weeks. The B side on the 7" is an inspired electronic version of the Beat's classic, "Mirror In The Bathroom", which came about when Belleruche were asked to do a cover version for a live session on Virgin Radio in France, and it proved so popular that it demanded a vinyl release.