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

Freddie Cruger & Anthony Mills are Wildcookie - Cookie Dough
(CD/Digital) Tru-Thoughts TRUCD223, 2011-02-21

Since his last release on Tru Thoughts in 2006, Freddie Cruger, has been busy travelling the world as a DJ and releasing music on his own label, Homegrown Records - one of these releases was the debut, and now extremely rare, Wildcookie 12 inch. The Drugs EP featured Cookie Dough and received support from Gilles Peterson on BBC Radio 1. Wildcookie is not a one man band though; Freddie's ultra-crisp production skills and sophisticated synthline melodies are backed with the pitch perfect vocals of Anthony Mills. Their upcoming Cookie Dough' single, is out as a free download from wildcookie.bandcamp.com on January 24th 2011, when 3 other tracks from their debut album, Cookie Dough (out on 21st February), will also be available for streaming.

Freddie Cruger & Anthony Mills are Wildcookie - Heroine
(Digital Single) Tru-Thoughts TRUFD003, 2011-01-24

Since his last release on Tru Thoughts in 2006, Freddie Cruger, has been busy travelling the world as a DJ and releasing music on his own label, Homegrown Records - one of these releases was the debut, and now extremely rare, Wildcookie 12 inch. The Drugs EP featured Heroine and received support from Gilles Peterson on BBC Radio 1. Wildcookie is not a one man band though; Freddie's ultra-crisp production skills and sophisticated synthline melodies are backed with the pitch perfect vocals of Anthony Mills. Their upcoming Heroine' single, is out as a free download from wildcookie.bandcamp.com on January 24th 2011, when 3 other tracks from their debut album, Cookie Dough (out on 21st February), will also be available for streaming.

Freddie Cruger & Anthony Mills are Wildcookie - Heroine

Extracted from the upcoming album Cookie Dough out february 21st on Tru Thoughts. Available as a free download on wildcookie.bandcamp.com starting January 24th 2011.

More info here

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.

Various - Tru Thoughts 10th Birthday Box
(3xCD boxset/2xCD) Tru Thoughts TRUCD201/TRUCD200, 2009-10-12

This year, Tru Thoughts celebrates a fantastic 10 years in the game, and on 12th October the label releases the 3CD limited edition Tru Thoughts 10th Anniversary compilation, featuring two 'Best Of' discs, and a third disc of completely new, previously unreleased music. A covetable premium package, presented in a hardback booklet boasting all three CDs and 24 pages stuffed with glossy photos and juicy tales, this comp is simply a must-have for the ardent army of Tru Thoughts fans, and for those less familiar it is a catch-all introduction to one of the UK's foremost independent record labels. The 2CD 'Best Of' part of this compilation will be available as a stand-alone release, also on 12th October.

Linn & Freddie - Waiting For Spring
(promo CD/LP/Digital) Homegrown HGCD003, 2009-06-26

Linn & Freddie first met each other in the studio back in 1998. Later Linn sang on the track On My Way on Freddie's EP Moving Amongst The Madness (Swedish Brandy 2003). They became good friends and kept on working together in the studio off and on simply because they enjoyed it so much. The collaboration reuslted in the four track EP Wonderlust (Swedish Brandy 2004) and after that two songs on Freddie Cruger's album Soul Search (Jugglin'/Ubiquity/Tru Thoughts 2006). Now it's time for the Linn & Freddie album Waiting For Spring. All songs are written, arranged, produced and mixed by the two of them and was made out of pure love for good music.

Freddie Cruger presents the Wildcookie project - Drugs EP
(12") Homegrown HOMEGROWN010, 2009-06-26

New project from producer FREDDIE (RED ASTAIRE) CRUGER and vocalist ANTHONY MILLS (who also did the painting on the cover).Vocal, rhodesappella, and instrumental mixes of 'HEROINE' a jazzy, swinging track with a falsetto vocal b/w 'SERIOUS DRUG' a more upbeat track about cocaine in vocal and instrumental mixes plus the bonus cut 'ON THE ROAD', yet another soulful vocal cut about drugs. Full color picture sleeve featuring a painting from vocalist ANTHONY MILLS.

Various - Shapes 09:01
(2xCD/Double vinyl with Double CD) Tru Thoughts TRUCD194/TRULP194, 2009-06-08

Tru Thoughts' first Shapes compilation of 2009 is a rather massive 29 track double CD collection, featuring a selection of current highlights, remixes and exclusive tracks from acts including Quantic and his Combo Bárbaro, Bonobo, Belleruche, The Bamboos, Nostalgia 77 Sessions featuring Keith and Julie Tippett, Kinny, Stonephace and all the excellent artists currently signed to the roster, of which there are far too many to mention in one coherent sentence. Suffice to say, over the two discs - arranged into 'home listening' and 'DJ' modes - there is plenty of great music for your ears and dancefloors, from minimal soul through downtempo beats and lush jazzy vocal tracks to floor-filling basslines.

Various - Underground Hits And Exclusive Bits 4
(CD/Digital) Wah Wah 45s WAHCD011, 2009-05-04

On this compilation, a celebration of all that's fresh out of the Wah Wah camp in 2009, we've got soul/jazz treats from Scrimshire, Ashley Thomas and Stac; twisted electronica and dope beats from Unforscene (remixing Part-Time Heroes), Red Astaire on the remix for Kendra Lou & The Miracles, and cutting edge Norwegian producer King Knut. Elsewhere there's stunning music out of Canada from Alister Johnson, Scrimshire on the bossa tip for his mix of PTH, dance floor funk from Jamie Finlay and Lack Of Afro (remixing Middlewood Sessions), brand new Colman Brothers latin jazz heat, and a killer jungle workout of "Step Forward" courtesy of the mysterious Chief!!